This song is one of their most emotional, honest, and true productions released to date.
It deals with his struggles with a girlfriend who seems to have a mental deficiency, and his profound love and sacrifices for her.
Waste
Foster the People Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah when the monsters they won't go
The windows, they wont close
I'll pretend to see what you see
How long, I say how long, will you re-live the things that are gone?
Oh yeah the devil's on your back but I know you can shake him off
And every day that you want to waste, that you want to waste, you can
And every day that you want to wake up, that you want to wake, you can
And every day that you want to change, that you want to change, yeah
I'll help you see it through 'cause I just really want to be with you
You know its funny how freedom can make us feel contained
Yeah when the muscles in our legs aren't used to all the walking
I know if you could snap both your fingers than you'd escape with me
But in the meantime I'll just wait here and listen to you when you speak, or scream
And every day that you want to waste, that you want to waste, you can
And every day that you want to wake up, that you want to wake, you can
And every day that you want to change, that you want to change, yeah
I'll help you see it through 'cause I just really want to be with you
And every day that you want to waste, that you want to waste, you can
And every day that you want to wake up, that you want to wake, you can
And every day that you want to change, that you want to change, yeah
I'll help you see it through 'cause I just really want to be with you
The song "Waste" by Foster the People appears to be about a relationship that is enduring a difficult phase, likely due to some past events. The first verse talks about the singer being there for their partner even in the moments when the latter is angry or frightened. It's possible that the "monsters" and the "windows that won't close" are metaphors for emotional problems that the partner is experiencing. The singer then promises to be patient and see things from their partner's perspective, no matter what they're going through.
The chorus seems to be an encouragement to the partner to take things at their own pace. The phrase "every day that you want to waste" might mean that there are times when the partner feels apathetic or unproductive, and the singer wants to reassure them that they don't need to force themselves to do anything. Similarly, the lines "every day that you want to wake up" and "every day that you want to change" suggest that the partner might be struggling with motivation and a desire for self-improvement. The singer offers their support and affirms their willingness to help the partner through this difficult time.
Overall, "Waste" seems to be a song about the ups and downs of a relationship, and the importance of being there for each other during both good times and bad. The song offers a message of hope, and implies that the relationship will endure through the struggles as long as the partners are willing to work through them together.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll hold your hand when you are feeling mad at me
I will remain by your side even when our emotions conflict
Yeah when the monsters they won't go
I'll support you when your fears and anxieties linger
The windows, they won't close
Our problems are persistent and cannot be easily contained or ignored
I'll pretend to see what you see
I'll try my best to empathize with your perspective and understand your point of view
How long, I say how long, will you re-live the things that are gone?
How long will you hold onto the past and let it dictate your present and future?
Oh yeah the devil's on your back but I know you can shake him off
You might be struggling with inner demons, but I have faith in your strength and resilience
And every day that you want to waste, that you want to waste, you can
You have the freedom to make choices, even if they may not align with societal expectations or norms
And every day that you want to wake up, that you want to wake, you can
You have the power to take control of your life and rise to new challenges each day
And every day that you want to change, that you want to change, yeah
You can pursue personal growth and transformation whenever you feel ready to do so
I'll help you see it through 'cause I just really want to be with you
I'll be your support system as you navigate changes, because being with you is worth any effort or sacrifice
You know its funny how freedom can make us feel contained
Even though we technically have the ability to make our own choices, societal obligations and expectations can still limit our sense of freedom
Yeah when the muscles in our legs aren't used to all the walking
Sometimes, we need to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones and work hard to achieve our goals
I know if you could snap both your fingers than you'd escape with me
I understand that you may feel trapped or frustrated with your current circumstances, and I wish I could offer an instant solution
But in the meantime I'll just wait here and listen to you when you speak, or scream
I'll be patient and attentive as you express your feelings, whether they're positive or negative
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK FOSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dgcbfhev
I'll hold your hand when you are feeling mad at me
Yeah when the monsters they won't go
The windows, they wont close
I'll pretend to see what you see
How long, I say how long, will you re-live the things that are gone?
Oh yeah the devil's on your back but I know you can shake him off
And every day that you want to waste, that you want to waste, you can
And every day that you want to wake up, that you want to wake, you can
And every day that you want to change, that you want to change, yeah
I'll help you see it through 'cause I just really want to be with you
You know its funny how freedom can make us feel contained
Yeah when the muscles in our legs aren't used to all the walking
I know if you could snap both your fingers than you'd escape with me
But in the meantime I'll just wait here and listen to you when you speak, or scream
And every day that you want to waste, that you want to waste, you can
And every day that you want to wake up, that you want to wake, you can
And every day that you want to change, that you want to change, yeah
I'll help you see it through 'cause I just really want to be with you
And every day that you want to waste, that you want to waste, you can
And every day that you want to wake up, that you want to wake, you can
And every day that you want to change, that you want to change, yeah
I'll help you see it through 'cause I just really want to be with you
@alexis-rl2vo
My first time ever properly commenting on a song, but I would just like to share how I dedicated this song to myself through the pandemic.
I was depressed, although not diagnosed. I couldn’t get the help that I needed. I was suffering from insomnia for months and I was so tired of myself for failing to just fulfill a basic need. I wanted to sleep so bad, but I had learned to accept that I couldn’t and that would be tha case for I didn’t know how long. So around the time that I found this song, I just said that I’d wait for myself: “And every day that you want to waste, you can. And every day that you want to change, you can.”
And like that, I waited for myself. And now, I found a new self. Someone who sleeps well, eats well, works out, and someone who doesn’t take herself too seriously.
I just let myself be down during that time, until I could find the energy to get back up.
In retrospect, I hated myself that time, but it was also me who saved myself. Though I loved this song, I couldn’t really sing the part, “I’ll help you see it through, cause I just really want to be with you.” But I think I found comfort in that I didn’t have to sing along to that. Foster The People’s doing that for me. And the effort I was doing to care for myself was enough at the time, even when I could’t truly admit that I still cared about my life. Foster The People became enough.
Thank you for being the few good voices in my head during the times when I could barely say nice things to myself.
@TheMAM
Still one of the best songs I've ever heard.
@no_u_tree
Same..
@ctalina
yessssss
@Amigosswww
word
@fernandomarquezzola5222
Same
@lesterrocche8072
L
@nat4465
This song helps me to be compassionate to my husband who has anxiety and OCD. Just want to be there for him as patient as possible. I tend to forget and this song reminds me. He always makes it through by the grace of God and has come out stronger through the years.
@robotboy5676
A love song made for people who have a significant other that battles with depression
@jmdnelson4891
This song will always remind me of that scene in The Three Stooges Movie, where Larry and Curly are watching Moe's shenanigans, while he's part of Jersey Shore. LOL, such a good scene and a perfect choice of song for their montage!!
Great music never stops being great!!
@alexwilson7207
I was just thinking the same thing my friend