Tom Waits / Foreign Affairs (US, Asylum Records, 7E-1117) <September 13, 1977> その①

Tom Waits / Foreign Affairs (US, Asylum Records, 7E-1117) <September 13, 1977> その①
(SIDE ONE) 7E1117AReSP 1-1 ESRTD9-777
(SIDE TWO) 1-3 7E1117B-C ReSP ESRTD91377

Tom Waitsの"Small Change"(1976), "Foreign Affairs"(1977), "Blue Valentines"(1978)の「ロマンチック3部作」（いま僕が思いついて名付けました）は、ゴテゴテにストリングスを載せたバラードをたっぷり、ジャズのミュージシャンを迎えて、という点からは似通った作品だと思います。いずれも正直ぼくにはあまり面白いと感じられず、この3部作を聴くことは滅多にありません。ただ、この「異国の常情事」は3部作の中では1番聴きやすいように思います。

"Foreign Affairs" is the fourth studio album by Tom Waits, released in 1977 on Elektra Entertainment. It was produced by Bones Howe, and featured Bette Midler singing a duet with Waits on "I Never Talk to Strangers".

これはバーでの男女の出会いを映画のように描写した名曲。インナイー・スリーヴ記載の歌詞と異なるので、歌詞カードを参考に、歌っているとおりに書き換えました。

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lu51WVRfmE
"I Never Talk To Strangers"

Bartender, I'd like a Manhattan please

Stop me if you've heard this one
But I feel as though we've met before
Perhaps I am mistaken
But it's just that I remind you of
Someone you used to care about
Oh, but that was long ago
Now tell me, do you really think I'd fall for that old line
I was not born just yesterday
Besides, I never talk to strangers anyway

Hell, I ain't a bad guy when you get to know me
I just thought there ain't no harm
Hey, yeah, just try minding your own business, bud
Who asked you to annoy me
With your sad, sad repartee?
Besides I never talk to strangers anyway

Your life's a dime-store novel
This town is full of guys like you
And you're looking for someone to take the place of her
You must be reading my mail
And you're bitter 'cause he left you
That's why you're drinkin' in this bar
Well, only suckers fall in love with perfect strangers

It always takes one to know one, stranger
Maybe we're just wiser now
Yeah, and been around that block so many times
That we don't notice
That we're all just perfect strangers
As long as we ignore
That we all begin as strangers
Just before we find
We really aren't strangers anymore

Aw, you don't look like such a chump (aw, hey baby)