Song by Song

We reach the apex of the album (and perhaps the best exemplar of this era of Waits) as Jon, Sam and Martin dig into the portentous imagery of this song as well as some of the real consequences of life...

20 Des 201719min

The lyrical richness of Waits's writing moves into the foreground again as Jon, Martin and Sam deal with the sense of loss and isolation found in this track, as well as in Jon's feature film Frank. So...

13 Des 201717min

Song by Song welcomes Jon Ronson to the show to discuss the way Waits inspires an image of a world beyond Cardiff, Wales. With the division between the heart and the head, as related to Waits vs. Spri...

6 Des 201719min

For our final week with Eric Molinsky we discuss a Sesame Street crossover, oblique western storytelling, the dreamlike landscapes of Waits's worlds, and the power of group singing folk music. Song by...

29 Nov 201718min

For a second week with Eric Molinsky, Martin and Sam take a look at the image of police as both a mortal figure as well as an existential threat, as well as Waits's role (through his music) as an amba...

22 Nov 201717min

As they continue through Rain Dogs, Martin and Sam are joined by Eric Molinsky of the Imaginary Worlds Podcast. Discussion focuses not only on the songwriting of Waits, but also the talk-show stylings...

15 Nov 201717min

Back in the studio, Sam and Martin regroup briefly for a discussion of some of the features in this fourth track from Rain Dogs. More magpie work from Waits, cherry-picking children's rhymes and pirat...

8 Nov 201717min

For our third week at the London Podcast Festival, John and Helen help us pick apart some of the exaggerated family narratives at play in this third track from Rain Dogs. Waits's preoccupation with th...

1 Nov 201718min