Bob Marley and the Wailers (previously known as The Wailers, and prior to t… Read Full Bio ↴Bob Marley and the Wailers (previously known as The Wailers, and prior to that The Wailing Rudeboys, The Wailing Wailers and The Teenagers) were a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae band. The founding members, in 1963, were Bob Marley (Robert Nesta Marley), Peter Tosh (Hubert Winston McIntosh), and Bunny Wailer (Neville Livingston).

During 1970 and 1971, Wailer, Marley and Tosh worked with renowned reggae producers Leslie Kong and Lee "Scratch" Perry.

They released four albums before signing to Island Records in 1972. Two more albums were created before Tosh and Wailer left the band in 1974, citing grievances over label treatment and ideological differences. Marley carried on with a new line-up, including the I-Threes that put out seven more more albums. Marley died in 1981.

The Wailers were a groundbreaking ska and reggae group, noted for songs such as "Simmer Down", "Trenchtown Rock", "Nice Time", "War", "Stir It Up" and "Get Up, Stand Up".

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marley_and_the_Wailers

Studio albums
The Wailing Wailers (1965)
The Best of the Wailers (1970; released 1971)
Soul Rebels (1970)
Soul Revolution Part II (1971)
Catch a Fire (1973)
Burnin' (1973)
Natty Dread (1974)
Rastaman Vibration (1976)
Exodus (1977)
Kaya (1978)
Survival (1979)
Uprising (1980)
Confrontation (1983)

Waiting in Vain (12
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

One, two, three

I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love

From the very first time I blessed my eyes on you, girl
My heart says follow t'rough
But I know, now, that I'm way down on your line

But the waitin' feel is fine
So don't treat me like a puppet on a string
'Cause I know how to do my thing
Don't talk to me as if you think I'm dumb
I wanna know when you're gonna come, see

I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
'Cause if summer is here
I'm still waiting there
Winter is here
And I'm still waiting there

Like I said
It's been three years since I'm knockin' on your door
And I still can knock some more
Oh girl, ooh girl, is it feasible?
I wanna know now, for I to knock some more
Ya see, in life I know there's lots of grief
But your love is my relief
Tears in my eyes burn, tears in my eyes burn
While I'm waiting, while I'm waiting for my turn
See

I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love

I don't wanna wait in vain for your love, oh
I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
I don't wanna wait in vain
No, I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
I don't wanna wait in vain
No, I don't wanna (I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
I don't wanna, I don't wanna wait in vain)
No I, no I (I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
I don't wanna, I don't wanna wait in vain)
It's your love that I'm waiting on (I don't wanna)
It's me love that you're running from. (I don't wanna wait in vain)
It's your love that I'm waiting on (I don't wanna)
It's me love that you're running from. (I don't wanna wait in vain)

I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
I don't wanna wait in vain

Overall Meaning

"Waiting in Vain" is a song by Bob Marley, released in 1977 as part of his album "Exodus". The song is a slow, soulful track about the agony of unrequited love. The opening lines reveal the theme of the song - the singer doesn't want to wait in vain for the love of the girl he's pining for. He confesses that his heart was smitten with her from the very first time that he saw her, and begs for a sign that she too is in love with him. However, he fears that he is nothing important to her and he is just on the waiting line until something better comes her way. But he still finds comfort in waiting for her, as the anguish of longing is more bearable than losing hope altogether. He implores the girl to not treat him like a puppet on a string or talk to him as if he's a fool, and just tell him when she's going to be with him.

As the song progresses, the singer laments about the time that has passed by without her reciprocation. He questions whether his love is feasible or not, and if he should give up or continue to knock on her door. Even though there is a lot of sadness and pain involved in waiting for her, his love is the only solace that he has. He states that tears always roll down his eyes when he waits for her, but he knows that his love for her is the only cure for his sorrow. The repetition of the line "I don't wanna wait in vain for your love" in the chorus heightens the feeling of desperation and helplessness.

The song is a heartbreaking plea for someone's love and attention. It captures the bittersweet feelings of pain and hope that often overshadow unrequited love. Marley's signature reggae rhythm and his soulful delivery add a layer of emotional depth to this already poignant song.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't want to keep waiting for your love without any assurance of receiving it

From the very first time I blessed my eyes on you, girl
Since I first met you, I felt a connection and an urge to pursue you

My heart says follow t'rough
My heart tells me to stay committed to pursuing you

But I know, now, that I'm way down on your line
However, I realize that I am not a priority to you

But the waitin' feel is fine
I am willing to endure the wait because I am hopeful about the outcome

So don't treat me like a puppet on a string
I do not want to feel like I am being manipulated or controlled by you

'Cause I know how to do my thing
I am confident in my abilities and do not need you to direct my actions

Don't talk to me as if you think I'm dumb
Do not underestimate my intelligence or ability to understand the situation

I wanna know when you're gonna come, see
I want some clarity about whether you are interested in me or not

Like I said
As previously stated

It's been three years since I'm knockin' on your door
I have been pursuing you for three years already

And I still can knock some more
I have not given up yet and can keep trying

Oh girl, ooh girl, is it feasible?
I am questioning whether it is possible for us to have a future together

I wanna know now, for I to knock some more
I would like to have a clear answer so that I can decide whether to keep pursuing you or not

Ya see, in life I know there's lots of grief
I am aware that life can bring a lot of pain and suffering

But your love is my relief
However, your love is what brings me comfort and happiness

Tears in my eyes burn, tears in my eyes burn
I am emotional and hurt by the uncertainty of our relationship

While I'm waiting, while I'm waiting for my turn
As I wait for you to reciprocate my feelings, I am hoping that eventually, it will be my turn to receive your love

It's your love that I'm waiting on
I am waiting for you to love and accept me

It's me love that you're running from.
However, it seems like you are not interested in me romantically and are avoiding the situation

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.,
Written by: BOB MARLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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