☝️ Key Points
- The song is about a mysterious and enigmatic woman
- She is referred to as 'Black Market Baby' and has a dark past
- There is a strong attraction between the singer and the woman
- The woman uses her influence over other men and is manipulative
- The lyrics address the fascination and allure of a mysterious woman
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song "Black Market Baby" by
Tom Waits are about a mysterious and enigmatic woman who lives in a secluded cabin. She is described as a kind of jewel that wants to remain in its original form.
The woman is considered something special and is called "Black Market Baby". She has a dark and secret past that only a few people know. She is a kind of secret agent who lives in a dilapidated city and works in illegality.
There is a strong attraction between the singer and the woman. The singer describes how he has been on dangerous paths with her and was willing to give her everything she wanted. However, the woman remains cold and unattainable.
The line "There's no prayer like desire" shows that the desire for the woman is intense and the singer's feelings are marked by longing and passion. The woman is like a puzzle that the singer cannot solve and she becomes an obsession for him.
The lyrics also describe how the woman uses her influence over other men and how she uses her charms to get what she wants. She is manipulative and makes the men believe in her, even though she herself knows that she has no true love to offer.
Overall, the lyrics of the song are about the fascination and attraction of a mysterious and enigmatic woman, whose past and true intentions remain in the dark. She is a kind of treasure that prefers to remain in its original state rather than being discovered and changed.