Heartattack and Vine


Heartattack and Vine is a 1980 album by Tom Waits, his seventh album since his debut Closing Time in 1973, and his final album to be released on the Asylum label.
"On the Nickel" was recorded for the Ralph Waite film of the same name. "Heartattack and Vine" was covered by Screamin' Jay Hawkins. In 1993 this version was used without Waits' permission in a Levi's commercial, for which Waits took legal action and won a settlement.
Jean-Luc Godard used "Ruby's Arms" in his 1983 film .

Reception

Though critical of the album in many respects, including Waits' vocal delivery and the "morbid pathos" of the ballads, Rolling Stone wrote that "Tom Waits finds more beauty in the gutter than most people would find in the Garden of Eden," and referred to him as a "unique and lovable minor talent."
Bruce Springsteen has performed "Jersey Girl" as part of his live shows since the early 1980s, including it in his live retrospective "Live/1975–85". For the only time to date, Waits joined him onstage to sing it on August 24, 1981.

Track listing

All songs written by Tom Waits.
Side One
Side Two

Personnel