Songs About Waiting

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Another reader request! I do understand why people are asking for these particular columns, but I do hope they end up being not just flash in the pan columns, but ones that people will come back to again and again. However, as I write this, early in November of 2020, the world is in a difficult and tumultuous place and everyone is on edge, so if I can help some people with some music, all well and good.

And this I bring you today's column – songs about waiting!


Waiting is hard for many reasons. The anticipation, the dread, the uncertainty – all of it comes together as we wait for a future that we cannot know for sure. In songs, waiting is either done on behalf of the singer mir the singer asking some-one to wait for them. Or maybe a singer can't wait any longer. But waiting appears in many, many songs. So very many. So I had the luxury of choosing my very favourites from a long list and ended up with an even dozen here.

Songs about waiting to play while… well, while we are waiting.
'Wait' by The Beatles (1965)

A classic Beatles track, and yet it is another one I've included in these lists that tends to get overlooked because of other more well-known and popular tracks. Asking the woman to wait for him to "come back to your side", and with a genuinely good tune behind it, this is an over-looked track.
'Tired Of Waiting For You' by The Kinks (1965)

In this song, the waiting is too much and the singer is sick of it. But those glorious Kinks harmonies, the 1960s jangly guitars and that almost unique production makes this stand out. I have said recently that I am still learning about this band, but this is one song I have known of for a while. There is a sadness under it all, and the song is none the less powerful for it.
'Heaven Can Wait' by Meat Loaf (1977)

From the classic album Bat Out Of Hell , this track is the big ballad from the album that everyone remembers, predominantly Meat Loaf singing and Jim Steinman playing piano. The lyrics owe a lot to the musical for which they were originally written, but that does not matter – this is such a great song.
'Waiting On A Friend' by The Rolling Stones (1981)

Not one of the Stones' more popular tracks – most people dismiss 1980s Stones – I actually really like this one. It has that feel of actually waiting, with the almost lazy playing behind the lyrics that are a little deeper than they at first seem. A relaxed song, and well done.
'The Waiting' by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers (1981)

One of Petty's better-known songs, this track about waiting for his woman to decide to be with him is a rock classic. Petty's voice is perfect for this song and the music behind him is tight and just incredible. A true classic rock classic.
'Still Waiting' by Uncanny X-Men (1985)

The Uncanny X-Men were a stalwart of the 1980s Blue Light Disco scene. Brian Mannix was one of the best front-men we had. And this song, hoping beyond hope for a relationship to become whole again, is one of their more popular from the time. So much fun.
'I Can't Wait' by Stevie Nicks (1985)

With this single, Nicks showed that Bella Donna was not a one-off. As a solo artiste, she was as consistently good as she had been with Fleetwood Mac. A great song, Nicks simply cannot wait for her man to make up his mind whether he is coming back to her or not. Again, this is such a great song.
'I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)' by Aretha Franklin & George Michael (1987)

There were actually a few George Michael songs I could have used, but I chose this one because it's got Aretha Franklin as well, and this duet just bounces along so well in that 1980s pop sort of way. I was not a fan of Wham!, but did find I liked more than my fair share of Michaels solo stuff, and this is a fun little track.
'Right Here Waiting' by Richard Marx (1989)

A man's girl has left him, but he vows to wait for her no matter what. Ballad territory, which Marx did very well, and sounding as heart-wrenching as ever. Marx was so good in the 80s; what a shame the album he released this year was what it was.
'Wait' by Gyan (1989)

I love this song. Gyan's voice is soaring and it just builds and everything about it is simply wonderful. I'm not sure if this song is remembered today, but it should be. The lyrics about a woman waiting in vain for some-one to return are sad but the delivery – amazing.
'Waiting For The End' by Linkin Park (2010)

Though the album it comes from is patchy, this is my favourite Linkin Park song. The build up to that magnificent chorus, the twin vocal attack, the music that just lifts and carries like a rock orchestra behind it all. I even managed to sell a story based on this song because it really is that good to me. It's a song of rebellion, I think, but I don't really know. So good.
'Waiting For Love' by Avicii (2015)

I am not a big fan of EDM, but Avicii released songs that always made me smile and nod along. I think it's because the lyrics are so good and the music is not one-note standard EDM fodder. And this song is such a celebratory one. He was taken way too soon.
So, while you're waiting, here are twelve songs about waiting. They span the decades (with a number of years doubling up), even if the 1980s are yet again over-represented. Oh well, that's my taste, I guess! Anyway, enjoy the wait, and I hope you don't have to wait too long!

And I hope you enjoyed this list.


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