Tom Waits Shares Previously Unreleased Version of ‘Get Behind the Mule’
The gravel-voiced troubadour has released the tune to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his Grammy Award-winning album, Mule Variations.

Image by Jean-Baptiste Mondino
Tom Waits’ Grammy Award-winning 1999 album Mule Variations turns 25 this year, and to commemorate the occasion, the American musician turned actor has shared a previously unreleased version of the track, ‘Get Behind the Mule (Spiritual)’.
“Definitely part of the original idea was to do something somewhere between surreal and rural,” Waits said in a statement. “We call it surrural. That’s what these songs are: surrural. There’s an element of something old about them, and yet it’s kind of disorienting….”
Listen to the previously unreleased version of ‘Get Behind the Mule (Spiritual)’ below.
READ MORE: The Killers Share Video for New Single ‘Bright Lights’
Further information about the song was provided on Waits’ Facebook account.
“In this alternate take of the album's iconic track, Waits' gospel moans resonate with raw emotion, accompanied only by a gritty Wurlitzer.
“This stripped-down rendition amplifies the dark narrative of murder and perseverance, with the lyrics even slightly altered, rendering it with an even starker intensity than the original LP version.”
Sadly the release of ‘Get Behind the Mule (Spiritual)’ is the closest we’ve come to new solo material from Waits since he released his 2011 album, Bad as Me. The singer-songwriter prefers to spend his time acting these days, popping up in last year’s The Absence of Eden and having memorable roles in Licorice Pizza, The Dead Don’t Die and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.
Catch the internationally acclaimed punk rock cover act when they perform at Lion Arts Factory this November.
This is your chance to nominate an inspiring female or gender-diverse artist or music practitioner in the Australian music industry.
Festival Director Peter Noble has announced the iconic Byron Bay festival is coming back next year.
The rising trio are back with their first taste of new music in 2025.
The group are touring nationally, performing their Black Label EP and 2024 album Oddworld, in full.
The three-day heavy metal extravaganza leaves Sydney Harbour in October 2026.
Headbang along to the heaviest bands from across Australia this May.
The duo have also released an exclusive music video featuring the first live performance of the song.
Australia could be getting its own version of the Headbangers Boat.
Beddy Rays return to Adelaide in August as part of their Do What Ya Wanna Australian tour.
Catch the American hardcore five-piece at Lion Arts Factory this July.
The talented singer-songwriter is performing in Adelaide this June.
Country folk rocker Lucinda Williams replaces Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, who have pulled out of the tour.
The Brisbane quintet have secured the coveted support slot for Oasis’ upcoming Australian tour.
Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival is hosting the largest congregation of brewers under one roof in 2025. Come raise a glass to those businesses and ensure the beers keep flowing.
The Adelaide punk rockers are calling last drinks at the Cranker next month.
Prepare for a double dose of hardcore aggression when the two bands hit Adelaide in November.
The doco charts the ups and downs of ‘90 legends Screamfeeder.
The New South Wales festival returns the October long weekend.
This is the last chance to catch SPEED perform on Aussie soil in 2025.
More is set for release this June.
The tour comes in support of the quartet’s new single, ‘In My Pocket’.
The talented singer-songwriter is currently working on his debut album.
The three singers will take to The Gov’s stage at the end of May.
The blistering single features The Living End’s Chris Cheney.
The tour comes in support of the band’s 2024 sophomore album, TOXIC.
The OG members are back together and ready to deliver a career-spanning setlist.