Tom Waits
I’ll Tell You Why That Is
[Hicks]
Now, you may see two happy people
In love and together
I'll tell you why that is
Or some little girl
Looks real good in a real tight sweater
I will tell you why that is
[Waits]
Now, your pals from prison
Just wrote you a real fine letter
I’ll tell you why that is
[Hicks]
And a diamond ring looks real good
On my pinky finger, yeah
I will tell you
(You'll tell me)
Why that is
(Alright)
[Together]
An apple ain't orange
But an orange is
I can tell you why that is
[Waits]
Some people are day...
(And some people are night)
...Night people
I will tell you why that’s right
[Hicks]
When the girls come lookin' for love, mmhmm
They look for the guys in the band
(The man knows a lot of things)
I'll can tell you why that is
(The man knows a lot of things)
[Waits]
I'm having a ball being a know it all
(The man knows a lot of things)
Staying on top of my little scam
(The man knows a lot of things)
[Hicks]
That's why I am who I am, baby
(The man knows a lot of things)
'Cause I know all these things
(The man knows a lot of things)
[Waits]
So stop right up and shake the hand of the man
Who admits to know it all
I know a lot of things
[Hicks]
Besides that, I can
[All] Siiiiiing...
"Well, how come you think I've got the name know it all?
(Frankly, I don't know)
You think that’s just a fluke?
I don’t think so
(Could be)
Well I, I know why everything's happening
You stick around, well, I’ll tell you why
(Yeah, alright)"
[Hicks]
Now you see some guys out on the street
And they're just wild about chicks
[Waits] I'll tell you why that is
Son of a gun dirty boys
Just like to go out and play dirty tricks
[Hicks]
But I can tell you why that is
(Why that is)
I know why that is
Jesus Christ and God and all them cats
They don't know anything
And besides that
[All] They can’t even sing
[Waits]
Rich man get all the women and fun
[Hicks]
And would you believe you're looking at one?
That's why I am who I am, baby
[Waits]
'Cause I know all these things
(The man knows a lot of things)
[Hicks]
I'm willing to listen to you
If you're willing to listen to me
(Well, alright, that's for sure)
But you know, you gotta sing it for me again
You gotta get up and sing
Ho ha he ho he he ho...