At one point or another, we’ve all had to wait for something. Whether it’s waiting for someone to call, waiting for someone to come back, or just waiting for something to happen. Here are 10 beautiful songs about waiting that capture perfectly the feeling of waiting.
“Patience” – Guns N’ Roses
One of the things that makes “Patience” so remarkable is its universality. It’s a song anyone can relate to, no matter their age or background. The song tells the story of a young girl named Patience who struggles to find her way in life. She doesn’t know where she belongs or what she wants to do with her life. The song speaks to the feelings of confusion and frustration that many young people feel at this stage. The lyrics are relatable and offer a great message to listeners.
“Waiting For a Girl Like You” – Foreigner
Foreigner’s 1975 classic rock song, “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” is more than just a love story. It’s a story of Patience, hope, and heartbreak. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is madly in love with a woman and is willing to do whatever it takes to make her his. Despite the difficulties of waiting, Foreigner encourages listeners to hang in there because finding a girl like you is worth all the trouble.
“Wait” – Beatles
“Wait” by the Beatles is one of the band’s most popular and influential songs. John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the song while on a break from touring in 1968. The two were in a hotel room and began fooling around with some music they had been working on. They ended up creating one of the most iconic songs in rock history. The song is about a young woman waiting for her lover to return to her. The lyrics are catchy but straightforward, and the melody is incredibly singable. It’s no wonder that so many artists have covered the song.
“Wouldn’t it be nice” – Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are known for their feel-good summertime hits. But behind the scenes, the band was going through a lot of turbulence when they wrote and recorded “Wouldn’t It Be Nice. “The song is about yearning for a better life, which is something the Beach Boys were all too familiar with at the time. Despite their success, the band members were struggling with personal issues like addiction and mental health problems.
“Waiting for Superman” – Daughtry
Daughtry’s song Waiting for Superman was inspired by the story of 11-year-old Diego Paredes, who was fighting stage four cancer. Drummer Robin Diaz was moved by Paredes’ story and decided to write a song about his courage and strength. The song is a testament to the power of hope, and Diaz hopes it will inspire others facing complex challenges.
“Waiting on a Friend” – Rolling Stones
It’s been said that Patience is a virtue, and nowhere is that truer than when waiting on a friend. The Rolling Stones capture this feeling perfectly in their song “The Story of Waiting on a Friend.” The song is about Jagger’s impatience for Wyman to arrive at their studio so they can begin working. The Rolling Stones were waiting on Bill Wyman to show up before they could start recording. They were growing impatient with him, as he was always late. Finally, Mick jokingly said, “I’m gonna write a song called ‘Waiting on A Friend'” and then proceeded to do just that.
“Tired of Waiting for You” – The Kinks
When you finally meet the person you’re meant to be with, it feels like everything clicks into place. But sometimes, waiting for that person to come along can feel like an eternity. The Kinks’ 1964 song “Tired of Waiting for You” perfectly captures the feelings of love and longing. The song is a catchy ode to impatience and frustration written by Ray Davies. The song was inspired by Davies’ then-girlfriend, Rasa Von Werder, who was often late for their dates. The lyrics express Davies’ frustration at constantly waiting for her and his desire to move on with someone else.
“You Can’t Hurry Love” – The Supremes and Phil Collins
The song “You Can’t Hurry Love” was initially released by The Supremes in 1966. The song went on to become a hit for Phil Collins in 1981. The story of the song is one of heartbreak and hope. It tells the tale of a young woman waiting for love to come her way. She is hurt and frustrated by the wait, but she ultimately finds comfort in knowing that love will find its way to her in due time. The song’s message is that one can’t hurry a true bond of affection. One has to wait for it to come to them. This is something that many people can relate to, as finding true love can often be a long and difficult journey.
“Anticipation” – Carly Simon
Carly Simon’s “Anticipation” is a classic example of how art can imitate life. The song was written in 1971 when Carly was pregnant with her first child. For many women, pregnancy is a time of great anticipation and excitement. But it can also be a time of anxiety and uncertainty. “Anticipation” captures these conflicting emotions perfectly. The lyrics describe the emotions of both expecting parents as they wait for their baby to arrive. The song ends with the child’s birth and Simon’s celebration of this beautiful event.
“The Waiting” – Tom Petty and The Heartbreaks
Tom Petty’s hit song “The Waiting” is a rock classic that fans have loved for decades. It is about longing for something better and being patient with it. The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has ever felt stuck in a rut or waiting for something good to happen. The Waiting is not only a great song, but it also tells the story of Petty’s struggles with childhood trauma, addiction and depression, and how he eventually found the strength to overcome them. The song is a testament to his resilience and determination. It’s also a reminder that we should never give up on our dreams, no matter how hard life gets.
Final Thoughts
One of the most challenging obstacles a person will face in life is waiting. The yearning is impossible to ignore, whether we’re waiting for our big break or true love to come our way. Hopefully, the songs on this playlist will inspire you to be more patient with everything that happens in your life. It’ll all be worth it in the end.
Born and raised in Austin, David is a dedicated writer and avid fragrance lover. When he's not trying out perfumes, he enjoys traveling and exploring new restaurants.