Iconic singer-songwriter Tom Waits is set to receive a Guinness World Record for his critically acclaimed 1999 album Mule Variations, which has officially surpassed 5 million copies sold worldwide, making it the best-selling album of his storied career.
The announcement was made by Guinness World Records earlier this week, confirming that Mule Variations has now achieved a significant commercial milestone—cementing its place in both music history and the enduring legacy of one of America’s most unconventional and respected musical voices.
Released on April 16, 1999, by the ANTI- label, Mule Variations marked Waits’ triumphant return after a six-year hiatus. Blending blues, folk, experimental soundscapes, and his signature gravelly vocals, the album was hailed as a masterwork that bridged the avant-garde with deeply human storytelling. It won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album in 2000 and was nominated for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for the track “Hold On.”
Now, over two decades later, its resonance continues.
“This is an album that never bowed to trends, never asked permission,” said Guinness World Records spokesperson James Mallory. “Its rawness, imagination, and emotional depth have allowed it to endure—and connect with listeners across generations.”
Mule Variations features standout tracks such as “Cold Water,” “Pony,” “What’s He Building?” and “Come On Up to the House.” Its themes of displacement, longing, absurdity, and perseverance struck a chord with audiences at the time of release—and continue to do so. The album also marked a creative peak in Waits’ partnership with his wife and longtime collaborator, Kathleen Brennan.
Speaking through a brief statement via his publisher, Waits expressed his characteristic wit: “I didn’t know donkeys could run this far, but I guess we’re still kicking.” He is expected to formally accept the Guinness certificate at a private event later this summer in San Francisco.
Fans and fellow musicians alike have taken to social media to congratulate Waits, with artists like Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, and Iggy Pop sharing their admiration for the album’s lasting power. Critics, too, have noted its influence, citing it as a blueprint for modern Americana and alternative folk.
Though Tom Waits has always moved on his own artistic terms—eschewing the spotlight and conventional fame—the recognition of Mule Variations serves as a powerful reminder of the reach and relevance of his work.
With 5 million copies and counting, Mule Variations stands not just as a commercial success, but as a lasting testament to the power of originality, grit, and storytelling in music.
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