Way Down in the Hole
"Way Down in the Hole" is a song written by singer songwriter Tom Waits and was included on his 1987 album Franks Wild Years, which was later made into a stage production.
The song is notable for being used as the theme tune for HBO's The Wire.[1] Each season uses a different recording of the song against a different opening sequence, with the theme being performed, in order, by The Blind Boys of Alabama, Waits himself, The Neville Brothers, DoMaJe and Steve Earle. Season four's version of the song was arranged and recorded specifically for the show, and is performed by five Baltimore teenagers: Ivan Ashford, Markel Steele, Cameron Brown, Tariq Al-Sabir, and Avery Bargasse.[2] An extended version of the Blind Boys of Alabama version is also played over a montage in the series finale.
The lyrics appear to be religious, with temptation and baring one's soul to Jesus being the song's central theme.
References
- ^ Rafael Alvarez (2009). The Wire: Truth Be Told - The Complete Official Series Guide. Canongate Books. p. 246-248.
- ^ ""The Wire" on HBO: Play Or Get Played, Exclusive Q&A With David Simon (page 16)". 2006. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
