The chords we play, ways left to communicate. The roads are paved with plans we made and your head boards never felt so safe. Well they'll reach our grave where you friends and I will kill the lights and hide, oh what a nice surprise.

(Chorus) Don't, don't tell me when its coming (no) don't, don't I just want to see it for myself. Don't breath, don't make a sound cause the song won't stop till the tape runs out.

When melody has nothing to hold, I'll be the last sound that you hear as your eyes close.
And these chords remain we'll use them to exploit the friends we've since forgot, those friends we've lost. You all know just who you are. Cause I've since made graves, but I'm too scared to etch the names for fear that I'm the one who's changed.

(Chorus)

The thought of death, it scares me to death and I don't know why, I don't know. Its just to much to never wake up.

(Chorus)

Overall Meaning

The Format's song Wait Wait Wait explores the theme of change, loss and death. The opening line, "the chords we play, ways left to communicate" implies that music is the only way the singer can express their emotions and communicate with others. They rely on the chords they've created to connect with their friends, even those they've lost touch with. The phrase "your head boards never felt so safe" suggests that the singer is seeking comfort from someone, possibly a lover or friend. The idea of reaching a grave with friends and killing the lights implies a shared, communal experience of death, highlighting the bond that death creates between people.

The chorus, "don't tell me when its coming...I just want to see it for myself" suggests that the singer wants to face the reality of death on their own, without anyone else's input. They want to experience the end without any preconceived notions, suggesting a fear of the unknown. The line "don't make a sound cause the song won't stop till the tape runs out" suggests that life and the music it creates will continue regardless of our individual experiences, highlighting the universal aspect of death.

Line by Line Meaning

The chords we play, ways left to communicate.
We use music as a means of communication, and there are still methods we have not yet explored.

The roads are paved with plans we made and your head boards never felt so safe.
We had a plan for our lives, but we found comfort in the people we surround ourselves with.

Well they'll reach our grave where you friends and I will kill the lights and hide, oh what a nice surprise.
The end is inevitable, and we will see it together. We will have a final moment of hiding in the dark before the lights go out.

Don't, don't tell me when its coming (no) don't, don't I just want to see it for myself.
I want to experience the end on my own terms and not be told about it.

Don't breath, don't make a sound cause the song won't stop till the tape runs out.
We must hold our breath and stay silent because the end will not come until it is ready to.

When melody has nothing to hold, I'll be the last sound that you hear as your eyes close.
Even when everything else fades away, I will still be there with you as you pass on.

And these chords remain we'll use them to exploit the friends we've since forgot, those friends we've lost. You all know just who you are.
We will use music to remember the people who have left our lives, even if we have forgotten them.

Cause I've since made graves, but I'm too scared to etch the names for fear that I'm the one who's changed.
I have honored those who have passed, but I am afraid to label them because I am no longer the same person I was when they were alive.

The thought of death, it scares me to death and I don't know why, I don't know. Its just to much to never wake up.
The idea of dying is frightening, and I don't understand why. It's overwhelming to think that one day we will never wake up again.

Don't, don't tell me when its coming (no) don't, don't I just want to see it for myself.
Once again, I want to experience the end on my own terms and not be warned or told when it is coming.

Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it