America Is Waiting
David Byrne Lyrics


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America is waiting for a message of some sort or another.
Takin' it again. Again! Again! Takin' it again.
Well now... no, no... now, we ought to be mad at the government not mad at the people.

Takin' it again. Again! Again! Takin' it again.
I mean, yeah, well... wha... what're you gonna do?
America is waiting for a message of some sort or another.
No will whatsoever. No will whatsoever! Absolutely no honor.
No will whatsoever. No will whatsoever! Absolutely no integrity.
No will whatsoever. No will whatsoever!
I haven't seen any any any citizen over there stand up and say "hey, just a second."





No will whatsoever. No will whatsoever! i mean, yeah, so... wha... what're you gonna do?
America is waiting for a message of some sort or another.

Overall Meaning

David Byrne's America Is Waiting is a frantic and satirical take on American politics and society in the early 1980s. The song is a collaboration between Byrne and renowned producer and musician Brian Eno under the album My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, an experimental album which weaves together found sounds with Byrne and Eno's own compositions.


The lyrics themselves are a commentary on the malaise and confusion of American culture towards the end of the Cold War. The repeated phrase "Takin' it again" is indicative of a society stuck in a loop of inaction and apathy, waiting for some kind of message or sign to break through the monotony. The frustration and anger in the song is palpable in lines such as "Absolutely no honor" and "Absolutely no integrity", which paint a picture of a country lacking in leadership and direction.


Line by Line Meaning

America is waiting for a message of some sort or another.
The country is waiting for some form of communication or guidance.


Takin' it again. Again! Again! Takin' it again.
Continuously repeating the same mistakes and actions.


Well now... no, no... now, we ought to be mad at the government not mad at the people.
Instead of directing anger towards individuals, it should be aimed at the government.


I mean, yeah, well... wha... what're you gonna do?
An expression of helplessness and uncertainty in regards to the situation.


No will whatsoever. No will whatsoever! Absolutely no honor.
There is a lack of motivation and integrity among those in power.


No will whatsoever. No will whatsoever! Absolutely no integrity.
Those in power do not exhibit any sense of honor or principle.


No will whatsoever. No will whatsoever!
There is a total absence of drive and determination among those in power.


I haven't seen any any any citizen over there stand up and say "hey, just a second."
There is a lack of public outcry and protest in response to the government's actions.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID BYRNE, BRIAN ENO, BILL O LASWELL, TIMOTHY WRIGHT, DAVID VAN TIEGHEM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

jackal59

Remember, this was all analog: tape loops, live drum tracks (or percussion beds built from multiple overdubs), and timing stuff by ear instead of by digital timestamps. It is as impressive now as it was when in came out.

WS McCallum

@Robert Bud My Life in the Bush of Ghosts reached No 8 in the New Zealand album chart in 1981, No. 29 in the UK, No. 44 on the Billboard Chart, and No. 47 in Australia. It actually sold really well for such an experimental album.

Spgonahan

@Robert Bud I did ... And I still have it.

M. S.

@Manly Peters Me too. Some people have taste.

Manly Peters

@Robert Bud I did... still have it

Robert Bud

Byrne and eno..were ahead of their time

1 More Replies...

water4sure

Still playing this timeless classic today! Byrne & Eno still the best in the business!

David Ellis

This really blew people away back in 1980. Nothing had sounded like this. Groundbreaking.

erik dee Numba ONE!!!

@David Bluvstein This video looks like it was made for the song! So to speak- perhaps I mean the other way round.

David Bluvstein

It was absolutely mindblowing. And still is.

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