Ol' 55

 

Interesting story: I heard claims that he didn't like what the Eagles had done to his song, though I never saw that in any direct quote from him.  After their version, he had similar backup harmonies in his performances, so...maybe not. It's the sort of thing that people who pretend to be purists say and reveal themselves as being more purists than the actual artist.

I would have hated Waits's version at the time, because my band was obsessed with sweet, very sweet harmonies, like the Eagles did. Similarly, I winced at Joe Cocker's versions of pop songs, like "A Little Help From My Friends" or this one.  

 

I prefer them now.