Young, Paul - Soldiers' Things Lyrics






Davenports and kettle drums
And swallow tail coats
Table cloths and patent leather shoes

Bathing suits and bowling balls
And clarinets and rings
And all this radio really needs is a fuse

A tinker, a tailor
A soldier’s things
His rifle, his boots, full of rocks

And this one is for bravery
And this one for me
And everything a dollar in this box

Cuff links and hub caps
Trophies and paperbacks
It’s good transportation
But the brakes aren’t so hot

Neck tie and boxing gloves
This jackknife is rusted
You can pound that dent out
On the hood

A tinker, a tailor
A soldier’s things
His rifle, his boots, full of rocks

And this one is for bravery
And this one for me
And everything a dollar in this box

A tinker, a tailor
A soldier’s things
His rifle, his boots, full of rocks

And this one is for bravery
And this one for me
And everything a dollar in this box





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Young, Paul Soldiers' Things Comments
  1. G.... M....

    just heard the original Tom Waits' version in Peaky Blinders. Paul Young version is so sad too.

  2. G.... N....

    Not heard this one for about 25 years. Brilliant version. Fabulous production, keyboards, bass and that haunting voice. Amazing performances all round.

  3. S.... C....

    My favorite song off the album.

  4. K.... M....

    Could be a Bond theme

    K.... M....

    Absolutely agree!

  5. i.... G....

    yeah, best almost

  6. S.... J....

    Both of my great-grandfathers fought in World War I- one at Gallipoli and the Somme, the other was a lighthorseman in Egypt. Not that either of them ever spoke of their experiences. The stories were revealed long after they died. But it's possible adjusting to civilian life after fighting in "the war to end all wars" would have been difficult. As it has been with every war since.

  7. s.... c....

    I don't like this one , it bleeding depresses me, I love the thought of lying in your arms , just free from any issues, skin on skin, ohhhh mg that would be so good

  8. K.... C....

    Love this song. This was the first cassette album I ever bought. This song reminds me of my Dad who fought in WWII in the Battle of the Bulge.

  9. y.... l....

    Since I was 5 years old, always crying for this song. even though it's a cover, it is well remade.

  10. w.... b....

    Outstanding! Superb arrangement! He recorded several great tracks in his time but this is perhaps his finest hour. Gives me chills and shakes each time I revisit it.....

  11. S.... J....

    Wow!!!!!!❤
    George Michael could have sang this!!😁xxx

    S.... J....

    Olivia May What’s wrong with PY’s version?

  12. b.... d....

    Reminds me of my Mom's death. So many things to go through. I have vowed to get rid of my stuff before I go.

  13. A.... F....

    One of the weakest tracks off the second album but Tom waits song aren't that good anyway.the possible exception is rod Stewart version of downtown train.

    A.... F....

    Alan Fox Dead wrong on both counts!

  14. T.... A....

    You're right, beautiful song and beautiful man wow

  15. A.... K....

    Frühjahr/Sommer 1988: Ich nahm den Ausgang in den letzen Monaten an der NVA-Offiziershochschule nun öfter in Anspruch und schlenderte mit Walkman durch das abendliche Zittau - auch mit der Amiga-LP von Paul Young im Ohr - die Empfindungen waren schier überwältigend - ich wusste da schon, dass das nicht mein Leben ist - gehandelt habe ich erst im April 1989...

  16. P.... S....

    jarhead <3

  17. J.... P....

    One of my top 10 favorite songs -- whether sung by Young or Waits.

  18. S.... S....

    Guys please tell me a song like this. Please!!!

    S.... S....

    weightless again by the handsome family _ enjoy my love xx

    S.... S....

    What a lovely band! Thank you so much. I never heard of them.
    care to share more from your secret archives? Pls Email mea list your favorite bands : [email protected]
    I'll be super grateful!!

    S.... S....

    Lalamurph Lalamurph hi, could you share your list? Thanks.

  19. S.... A....

    Paul young, my first love 😍 truly beautiful.

  20. M.... 7....

    FANTASTICO SOUL..... <3 Amazing Paul <3

  21. E.... S....

    written by Tom Waits indeed. Soldier's things.

  22. h.... d....

    Task dont ask

  23. D.... D....

    Raj babe ease

  24. L.... S....

    Amazing Pino Palladino on the bass!!!

  25. i.... ....

    This cover is a steaming pile (pick your noxious substance)

    i.... ....

    icewaterchrist No. That better describes your opinion.

  26. D.... D....

    Paul young a cool bro

  27. 5.... ....

    SO hauntingly beautiful. His best, imho ... Almost in tears!  :-)

  28. w.... ....

    Paul's voice always amazing!

  29. K.... W....

    just being studying 1920 jazz this week n went back into the first world war and yes respect 

  30. K.... W....

    i agree great version

  31. v.... g....

    Great song, great voice, great arrangement, great trombone solo, great band...

  32. C.... B....

    Great Tom Waits cover. Good soul here.

  33. d.... ....

    wow! What a wonderful song! I used to listen long time ago... nearly '88s..

  34. D.... D....

    Haha nice song

  35. M.... M....

    I prefer this to original.

    M.... M....

    John Doe me too!

    M.... M....

    Max Mustermann So do I!

  36. L.... ....

    You are not correct, at least not about the title of the song. What is this a song about a soldiers penis? It's called "A soldiers things" meaning the things he owned while still alive before he went off to war. It's almost comical, "A SOLDIERS THING" SO FREAKIN FUNNY. And BTW not bad, but truly not in the class of Tom Waits.

    L.... ....

    LightenUpMcGraw I think this version is better but the rest of your comment made me laugh. 😂😂😂🤣

  37. P.... N....

    cette chanson me fait pleurer depuis 20 ans et Mr Paul Young je le suis deouis 1986 ...........

  38. c.... a....

    I used 2 play this everyday...Thanks

  39. R.... H....

    well thank you jimbotimbo, I saw him once holding a bass guitar on a video clip and since then i believed he is a bass player, nevertheless who ever playes bass for him is a tallented MOFO . but agree with me that the honorable tom waites in several ranks above this guy(?)

    R.... H....

    Roee Hason No I don’t agree, although he wrote a great song.

  40. t.... b....

    utter nonsense. 1 he doesn't play bass. Pino Palladino does. And this is a superb cover period!

  41. D.... D....

    crude record

    D.... D....

    Daryl Duncan Crude?! You’re nuts!

  42. �.... �....

    y re so crazy..............

  43. �.... �....

    the sweet singer is the pop genial star since his first album no parlez

  44. R.... H....

    paul young, one of the best bass player I have ever heard , a talented musician and singer... but making a tom waites song ??? cm'on dude, it's like asking oprah
    winfrey to play a part made by sandra bullock

    R.... H....

    Roee Hason He’s not the bass player stupid! Pino Palladino is, and what’s wrong with him covering this song anyway?

  45. P.... F....

    wow that was so bad

  46. C.... M....

    can anyone tell me where i can get a copy or an upload of "I was in chains" from this album, iv`e looked all over you tube thanks. sarah

  47. J.... P....

    Brillante, como en el 85....

  48. T.... ....

    @anitaatsisteract I would prefer Paul Young singing with the Tom Waits background. Here the production and especially the digital drums suck.

  49. M.... H....

    This album was playing when I lost my virginity. Fantastic cover and great memories. Ta MarcelBonzo

  50. T.... t....

    Bloody hell.Never heard this version before. Much prefer the Tom waits original but this is a good effort. Thanks for sharing.

    T.... t....

    Tilly tot I love this version. ..stunning xxx

  51. r.... ....

    one of the best songs i ever heard !!! No exageration !! and I AM a retired soldier. Thanks for a heart wrenching rendition, better than the original !!!!!!

  52. d.... ....

    Great cover of Tom Watts

  53. d.... ....

    Pino's bass playing is outstanding here.

  54. S.... ....

    C du bon

  55. c.... ....

    I like this from the beginning.
    What happenned with Paul. He is the best!
    Why don't we hear anymore from him?

  56. i.... ....

    BRILLIANT! LOVED THIS SONG!!!

  57. M.... G....

    @sy4444miko That is Pino Paladino...!!

  58. s.... ....

    very cool bass play!!!

  59. f.... ....

    I heard this on the radio in 1986, this song (and the scratched LP) goes with me ever since.

    Thank you !

  60. D.... P....

    I wore out 3 different tapes and one LP of this album. Have it on cd now, need to back it up on a thumb drive soon.

  61. G.... K....

    I have it on the vinyl and it sounds awsome.

  62. C.... H....

    I'm sorry! Paul Young has the voice and the compassion to carry all blues off!!!

  63. d.... ....

    He wrestles with the song, but pulls it out at the end.
    The arrangement is wack, but he makes this song work out of sheer determination.

  64. J.... C....

    Have a drink for the memories..For the code..

  65. s.... ....

    mega! so good to be able to hear it again after all these years. Showing my age. A great cover is the sign of a truly great song writer such as leon rosselson, paul simon, his bobness etc much prefer the bangles hazy shade of winter to simon and garfunkle original, which shows its a fabuluous song innit? Well done Paul

  66. b.... ....

    this song takes you to a place! it's got a feel....sad and yet soothing.............LOVE THIS!

  67. M.... S....

    Tell what you want, Wait`s songs in peace blabla, iàm old, a Zappa freak and a Waits lover , but this version is great ! Thank you very much for posting !
    michael

  68. A.... M....

    i personally think this one is better than the original by mr. waits.....normally i also prefer original songs, but this is perfect.

    to me it's the atmosphere created by the combination of the keys, bass and the voice.

    thanks for placing!!

  69. g.... l....

    i lv this song..remember in 83' at cottage. oh...

  70. M.... H....

    You got to give him a chance. It was the 80's. Music was awful. He was a pop singer at the height of his powersand this choice of song was a big gamble. I think he does a
    credible version, sings it well, and Pino IS GREAT!!

  71. Z.... ....

    Leave Tom Waits' songs in peace will you, compared to the original this is a complete disaster. Oh, yes Mr. Young can sing but he takes the soul right out of the song. The best tribute to Tom Waits is NOT to f*ck up his songs !!! Is that so difficult???

    Z.... ....

    ZigZagWanderer stunning version...we done maestro xxx

  72. A.... T....

    Fantastic, i love this song, do actually remember getting this album on cassette, i wore it out on my walkman back in the day!

  73. M.... G....

    Thanks, enjoy!!!!

  74. C.... R....

    lo mejor de lo mejor

  75. M.... H....

    Beautiful song!

  76. M.... R....

    Not bad...but I think the simple piano and Tom Wait's brilliant voice express the uselessness of war in a better way...

  77. g.... l....

    omg.. i like this sound so mysterious. In 1983 i driven to cottage..so classic, beautiful thing.

  78. M.... G....

    Hee, you're welcome, I am glad that I can surprise people now and then.... enjoy!

  79. b.... ....

    very sophisticated and painful, Paul's version is brilliant:-) thanks, I haven't heard it before.

  80. M.... G....

    Production could not have been done worse, but this whole album is Paul Young at his best, at least in my opinion!
    Thanks for your response and let us just enjoy this cover-version!

    M.... G....

    Marcel Gootjes I like the way it sounds myself.