Heartattack And Vine

Tom Waits' song 'Heartattack And Vine' paints a vivid, gritty picture of urban life, filled with characters who are down on their luck or living on the edge. The title itself, 'Heartattack And Vine,' suggests a place where danger and vice are commonplace, a street where the harsh realities of life are laid bare. The lyrics are a tapestry of vivid imagery and dark humor, capturing the essence of a seedy, urban environment.

The song opens with the line 'Liar liar with your pants on fire,' immediately setting a tone of deceit and mistrust. Waits introduces us to a world where gamblers, doctors, lawyers, beggars, and thieves coexist, each reevaluating their lives along the 'dotted line.' This line suggests a sense of desperation and the constant hustle for survival. The mention of 'heartattack and vine' implies a place where the stress and strain of life can lead to literal and metaphorical heart attacks.

Throughout the song, Waits uses a series of vignettes to illustrate the lives of various characters. From 'Boney' who is high on drugs to the 'little jersey girl' in a see-through top, each character represents a different facet of this urban landscape. The line 'don't you know there ain't no devil, there's just god when he's drunk' encapsulates the chaotic and morally ambiguous world Waits describes. The song's closing lines, which contrast the simplicity of life in Iowa with the harshness of urban existence, underscore the theme of disillusionment and the harsh realities of city life.

'Heartattack And Vine' is a masterful exploration of the darker side of urban life, filled with rich, evocative imagery and a sense of raw, unfiltered reality. Waits' gravelly voice and bluesy musical style further enhance the song's gritty atmosphere, making it a compelling and thought-provoking piece.