Song Review by Thomas Ward:
One of the most charming songs on Tom Waits’ debut album, “I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You” is certainly in the “singer-songwriter” vein, and indeed it’s easy to imagine it on a James Taylor album. A simple melody and rudimentary, three chord guitar part, the strength of the song is certainly not musical, it’s in the modest self-effacing lyrics. “I hope that I don’t fall in love with you/’Cause falling in love just makes me blue” Waits sings, and although many of the lines are not the most involving he’s ever written, they appear undeniably heartfelt.
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Well I hope that I don't fall in love with you
'Cause falling in love just makes me blue
Well the music plays and you display
Your heart for me to see
I had a beer and now I hear you
Calling out for me
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
Well the room is crowded, people everywhere
And I wonder, should I offer you a chair?
Well if you sit down with this old clown
Take that frown and break it
Before the evening's gone away
I think that we could make it
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
Well the night does funny things inside a man
These old tom-cat feelings you don't understand
Well I turn around to look at you
You light a cigarette
I wish I had the guts to bum one
But we've never met
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
I can see that you are lonesome just like me
And it being late, you'd like some some company
Well I turn around to look at you
And you look back at me
The guy you're with he's up and split
The chair next to you's free
And I hope that you don't fall in love with me
Now it's closing time, the music's fading out
Last call for drinks, I'll have another stout
Well I turn around to look at you
You're nowhere to be found
I search the place for your lost face
Guess I'll have another round
And I think that I just fell in love with you
