12 Things Only Tom Waits Fans Will Understand

4. Artistic Integrity Is Important

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYOMPU18QjA Tom Waits is no sellout. Anyone who listens to a Tom Waits album must surely realise that what they're dealing with is a very talented artist. Now, that's not to say that artists cannot use their art for monetary gain because, at the end of the day, everyone has bills to pay. Besides, it's their art and they can do with it as they see fit. But there is something a little bit cheap about the freewheeling way in which many musical talents allow their songs to be used. Really, how many times do you need your music to appear in a commercial that's selling something? According to Waits, the answer is 'never'. He once jokes that 'If Michael Jackson wants to work for Pepsi, why doesn't he just get himself a suit and an office in their headquarters and be done with it?'. Waits has refused for his work to be used in advertisements. Waits' disdain for television advertising is no secret but his adamant refusals have apparently went over the heads of several companies, leading to lawsuits. Waits sued Frito-Lay in 1988 when they used a jingle similar to one of his songs without permission. Waits has also sued Levi's, Audi and several other big name companies for using/modifying/trying to replicate his intellectual property. It's refreshing that, in today's day and age where everyone is trying to make as much money as possible, Waits retains his artistic integrity. Although, as the above video demonstrates, he's not opposed to lending his own voice to promote his favourite brand of dog food.