Song DNA
Misophonia Triggers
A haunting ballad from Real Gone featuring Tom Waits' raspy vocals, cigar box banjo, bass, and percussion, telling a poetic story of loss symbolized by a trampled rose.
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Moods: introspective, melancholy, reflective
Traditions: alternative rock, blues
How this song sits on each sensory axis
A dynamic range of 5/10 is within the normal pop-mix band. There is variation between verse and chorus, but it's the kind of variation most listeners encounter routinely.
Sudden changes: mild. There are one or two transitions worth knowing about, though they're musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.
Texture is layered — a full arrangement with clear separation between parts.
Predictability is medium — conventional structure overall, with one or two moments that deviate from what you'd expect.
Vocal style: dynamic vocals.
Where this sits in Tom Waits's catalog
We have 35 songs from Tom Waits in the library. Of those, 12 are rated Safe, 18 Moderate, and 5 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 5/10 sits above the artist average of 4.9, making it the #18 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
Other tracks from Real Gone
We have 6 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans moderate in sensory profile.
- Come On Up to the House — moderate DR 7
- Day After Tomorrow — moderate DR 6
- Hoist That Rag — intense DR 8
- Green Grass — safe DR 3
- Make It Rain — intense DR 8
2004 context
Released in 2004. We have 334 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.4/10. This track is quieter / less dynamic than the year average. Explore more from the 2000s.
Explore by mood and tradition
Why this rating
We rate this song Moderate because it falls between our Safe and Intense thresholds on at least one dimension. Moderate is the default for most well-produced music that has real arc but no surprise elements. Full rubric: methodology.
Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-13. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.
Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.
Frequently asked about "Trampled Rose"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "Trampled Rose" by Tom Waits?
"Trampled Rose" by Tom Waits rates as Moderate intensity. Dynamic range 5/10, mild sudden changes, layered texture. Moderate is the default for well-produced music with real arc but no surprise elements.
How loud is "Trampled Rose" — what is its dynamic range?
"Trampled Rose" has a dynamic range of 5/10. Within normal pop-mix variation. Movement between verse and chorus but nothing dramatic.
Does "Trampled Rose" have sudden or surprising changes?
"Trampled Rose" has mild sudden changes — one or two transitions worth knowing about, but they are musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.
What is "Trampled Rose" best for?
In our library "Trampled Rose" is recommended for: deep listening, emotional release, relaxation. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "Trampled Rose" released?
"Trampled Rose" is from 2004, on the album "Real Gone". It appears in our 2000s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "Trampled Rose"?
We tag "Trampled Rose" as introspective, melancholy, reflective. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "Trampled Rose"?
The vocal style is dynamic vocals.
Should I listen to "Trampled Rose"?
"Trampled Rose" is Moderate intensity — fine for most listeners, but with enough dynamic activity that it works best as active listening rather than background.
Songs with the same DNA
layered texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.
Safer alternatives with a similar feel
These songs share similar moods but with a gentler sensory profile.
What this song means to people
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