Tom Waits - Come on Up to the House Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who wrote the song 'Come on Up to the House'?

   The song 'Come on Up to the House' was written by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan.

2. What album is 'Come on Up to the House' featured on?

   'Come on Up to the House' is featured on Tom Waits' 1999 album 'Mule Variations.'

3. What genre is 'Come on Up to the House' considered to be?

   'Come on Up to the House' is often considered a gospel song, but it is performed in Tom Waits' idiosyncratic style.

4. What inspired the line 'The world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through' in 'Come on Up to the House'?

   The line 'The world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through' is taken from a Jim Reeves song that uses that line as its title, suggesting a theme of transcendence and seeking something better beyond the hardships of life.

5. Does Tom Waits frequently deal with religious themes in his music?

   Tom Waits does not frequently deal with overtly religious themes. Another song on 'Mule Variations,' 'Chocolate Jesus,' even seems to have fun with Christian imagery. However, 'Come on Up to the House' is often interpreted as a sincere expression of faith.

6. What philosophical reference does the song 'Come on Up to the House' make?

   The song references Thomas Hobbes' book 'Leviathan' with the line 'Does life seem nasty, brutish, and short.' Hobbes described life in a state of nature as 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,' advocating for monarchical rule as a solution.