5 Things to Know About Tom Waits' Debut Album Closing Time

It barely registered on release The album didn’t chart and received almost no international press attention.

It contains two of Waits’ best-known songs “Ol’ 55” and the aching title track are on this record.

Waits hadn’t yet become a cult icon His signature gravelly voice and persona were still developing.

The album was mildly received at best Critics and audiences largely ignored it when it first came out.

Its reputation grew over time Today it’s considered a strong debut, but that took decades.