The Waiting
Angel Olsen Lyrics

Here you come along
The singer acknowledges the arrival of an individual in their life.

I take a breath and remind myself that I too can be strong
The singer prepares themselves to handle the challenges that come with this person's presence and encourages themselves to be resilient.

Thought I was cool
The singer assumed that they were composed, unbothered and unaffected by love.

Turns out I'm a fool
The person has shattered the artist's perceived self-confidence through affection.

Clearly you've proved me wrong
The artist admits that they were misguided in their original judgement.

I didn't know what I was missing when I was alone
The singer was unaware of the void that exists in their life before this new person came along.

And now I'm fruitlessly waiting for
The singer is wasting time without necessary action from their partner.

Someone not thinking before they start rushing to my door
The artist craves someone who considers them a priority and takes the initiative to show their affection.

Someone to run not walk
The artist desires the person to be expressive and responsive to their attraction.

Oh, someone to sing not talk
The person is requested to express their love and affection through actions and not words.

Oh, no hesitation at all
The singer wants the person to be confident in their attraction and feelings.

Sometimes I need you to be the one to call
The artist desires the person to initiate communication at times and not wait for them to reach out.

Well I'm lost in my thoughts
The singer is introspective and struggling to comprehend their feelings.

They tumble ahead
The singer's thoughts and emotions are continually racing.

Over and over again
The singer is experiencing the same thoughts and obsessions repeatedly.

Yeah it's true
The artist's thoughts are a complete reflection of their current reality.

Just take a look at what's been done to me
The artist has been influenced and affected by the person's presence in their life.

I've wasted time to ponder
The singer has dedicated a significant amount of time to contemplate their own emotions and feelings.

Here I am now all Alice in Wonder
The singer feels like they are lost in a fantastical, unfamiliar world and unable to navigate through their own emotions.

Partly I do this to myself, but why can't you see?
The artist feels responsible for their own emotional state, but also wishes that their partner could recognize and understand their plight.

The gesture is small, but know that it means the world to me
The artist acknowledges the significance of small , meaningful gestures in their relationship.

Oh, forgive me for wanting, I'm only learning
The artist acknowledges their own desire for affection and attraction and understands that they are still learning about it.

I've forgiven myself and now there's no returning
The singer has let go of their past doubts and apprehensions and is willing to move forward in the relationship without any reservations.

I want to be the one who knows the best way
The artist yearns to be the one who can fully comprehend the intricacies and nuances of the relationship.

I need you to be the one
The singer requires the person to take action and initiative to help the relationship flourish.

Oh oh oh oh oh oh
The singer expresses vocal cadence to signify their emotions about the relationship.