Jones and her lover/fellow songwriter Tom Waits spent a lot of time hanging out with their friend Chuck E. Weiss at the seedy Tropicana Motel in Los Angeles. Eventually Weiss, affectionately referred to as "Chuck E." disappeared. Later Weiss called the apartment where Jones and Waits lived. Waits took the call, at which time Weiss explained the reason for his disappearance, he was now in Denver, and had moved there because he had fallen in love with a cousin in Colorado. Waits hung up, then explained to Jones, "Chuck E.’s in love." Jones liked the sound of the sentence and wrote a song around it. Although toward the end of "Chuck E.’s In Love" the lyrics state, "Chuck E.’s in love with the little girl singing this song," the twist ending is fictional; Jones was never the girl with whom Chuck E. was in love
I will definitely look up Tom Waits.
Anyway, a bit more trivia about "Chuck E's In Love." You might recall the line "How come he don't come and P.L.P. with me down at the meter no more" and for years, I wondered what the hell "P.L.P." stood for.
Turns out it stood for "Public Leaning Post" which is slang for two friends leaning on each other in public. So now the album cover of Tom Waits leaning on Rickie Lee Jones against the car makes a bit more sense.
TW’s albums in the 70’s are his best work - IMO.
1. Small Change (every track is a masterpiece - esp “Step Right Up” and the title track
2. Blue Valentine (title track and “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis” are standouts
3. Foreign Affairs (includes a GREAT duet w/Bette Midler)
He’s had commercial rockers cover his songs...
Eagles: Ol’ 55
Rod Stewart: Downtown Train
A word of caution - TW’s voice is an acquired taste. His lyrics describe the people you meet at 2am...
TW was hilarious on the old “Fernwood Tonight” with Martin Mull. His part begins at 4:35 - sings “The Piano Has been Drinking” and the follow-up interview is LOL hilarious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acyT_1AKPDE
btw, Tom Waits has had a few bit parts in movies including “the Book of Eli” where he played the pawnshop owner who recharges a battery for Denzel Washington/Eli.