"Real Gone" is Tom Waits' sixteenth studio album, released on October 4, 2004, in Europe and October 5 in the United States under the ANTI- label. The album was accompanied by the Real Gone Tour, featuring sold-out shows across North America and Europe.
Written and produced by Waits and his longtime collaborator and wife, Kathleen Brennan, Real Gone showcases a diverse blend of musical styles, including funk, Jamaican rock-steady, urban and rural blues, as well as Latin and African rhythms. Notably, this album marks the first time Waits recorded without piano.
The album includes some of Waits' few political songs, with "Day After Tomorrow" serving as a poignant protest against the Iraq War. Other tracks highlight his experimentation with beatboxing, influenced by hip hop, especially on songs like "Top of the Hill" and "Metropolitan Glide." Guitarist Marc Ribot contributes a Cuban style on "Hoist That Rag."
The lyrics often reference real events and individuals; for instance, "Don't Go Into That Barn" is inspired by a New York Times article about a slave jail in Kentucky, capturing the haunting legacy of that history.
Harp Magazine named Real Gone the best album of 2004, and in 2017, a remixed and remastered version was released, overseen by Waits and Brennan.
Overall, Real Gone stands out for its eclectic sound and rich storytelling, further solidifying Waits' unique artistic voice.
