"I'm just trying to make a buck like everyone else"

This quote by Tom Waits speaks to the universal battle of attempting to make a living. Everybody is attempting to make a buck, or earn money, in order to make it through and offer themselves and their households. It is a battle that is shared by all, no matter race, gender, or social class. It is a battle that is frequently tough and can be filled with obstacles. Waits is acknowledging that he is no different from anybody else in this regard. He is simply trying to earn a living like everybody else. He is not requesting for unique treatment or prefers, he is just attempting to make a dollar like everybody else. This quote speaks with the shared experience of trying to earn a living and the typical goal of attending to oneself and one's household.