Five Good Covers presents five cross-genre reinterpretations of an oft-covered song.
From a Tom Waits interview, circa 1985:
You were in your early twenties on your first album, but you already had an old man’s perspective in songs like “Martha” and, though I can’t say why, “I Hope That I Don’t Fall in Love with You.”
I have a little trouble with those songs when I hear them. I don’t really like listening to my early songs. I guess I feel I got better as a songwriter.
Maybe they remind you too much of yourself at the time.
Probably. Yeah. A sentimental guy bellyaching. What the hell?