Lyrics: Frank’s Wild Years
Album: Swordfishtrombones
Artist: Tom Waits
 

frank settled down in the valley,
And he hung his wild years on a
Nail that he drove through his
Wife’s forehead.

He sold used office furniture out
There on san fernando road and
Assumed a $30,000 loan at
15 1/4 % and put a down payment
On a little two bedroom place.

His wife was a spent piece of used jet trash
Made good bloody-marys, kept her mouth
Shut most of the time, had a little chihuahua
Named carlos that had some kind of skin
Disease and was totally blind.

They had a thoroughly modern kitchen;
Self-cleaning oven (the whole bit)
Frank drove a little sedan.
They were so happy.

One night frank was on his way home
From work, stopped at the liquor store,
Picked up a couple of mickey’s big mouth’s.
Drank ’em in the car on his way to the
Shell station; he got a gallon of gas in a can.

Drove home, doused everything in
The house, torched it.
Parked across the street laughing,
Watching it burn, all halloween
Orange and chimney red.

Frank put on a top forty station,
Got on the hollywood freeway
Headed north.

Never could stand that dog.