The band first experienced chart success when their second single "Take Me Out" reached #3 in the UK Charts, followed by their debut album Franz Ferdinand which entered the UK album chart at #3. The band went on to win the 2004 Mercury Music Prize and two BRIT Awards in 2005 for Best British Group and Best British Rock Act. NME named Franz Ferdinand as their Album of the Year. From the album, three top-ten singles were released, "Take Me Out", "The Dark of the Matinée" and "This Fire". The band has also received several Grammy Award nominations.
The band is named after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria whose assassination was one of the main reasons for the start of the First World War. The band decided on the name after seeing a racehorse named Archduke Ferdinand win the Northumberland Plate in 2001, eventually coming to the decision as the alliteration and sound of the name appealed to them.
- Discography
Franz Ferdinand (2004)
You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)
Blood; Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action (2013)
FFS (2015) (Collaborative album with the band Sparks)
Always Ascending (2018)
Hits to the Head (2022)
What You Waiting For?
Franz Ferdinand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Tick-tock, tick-tock
La, la, la, la, la, la, la
Like a cat in heat, stuck in a moving car
A scary conversation, shut my eyes, can't find the brake
Naturally, I'm worried if I do it alone
Who really cares, cause it's your life
You never know, it could be great
Take a chance 'cause you might grow
Oh, oh!
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for?!
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for?!
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Take a chance you stupid ho!
Like an echo pedal, you're repeating yourself
You know it all by heart
Why are you standing in one place?
Born to blossom, bloom to perish
Know your wigging out 'cause of your sex chromozone
I know it's so messed up, how our society all thinks (for sure)
Life is short, you're capable
Oh, oh!
Look at your watch now
You're still a super hot female
You got your million-dollar contract
And they're all waiting for your hot track
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting, waiting
Whatcha, What you waiting
What you waiting for?!
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting, waiting
What you waiting for?!
Take me to Japan
Give me lots of brand new fans
Osaka, Tokyo
You Harajuku girls
Damn, you've got some wicked style, Go!!!
Look at your watch now
You're still a super hot female
You got your million-dollar contract
And they're all waiting for your hot track
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for?!
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for?!
Well, it's a nice day for a White Wedding
Woah!
Well, it's a nice day to start again
Well, it's a nice day for a White Wedding
Well, it's a nice day to, start again
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Tick-tock, tick-tock, Tick!
The lyrics of Franz Ferdinand's "What You Waiting For?" are a commentary on the fear and uncertainty that comes with taking risks and chasing after one's dreams. The song begins with the metaphor of being "like a cat in heat, stuck in a moving car" - a situation that is simultaneously uncomfortable, scary and inescapable. The singer is having a conversation with themselves, trying to overcome their fear of taking the plunge and pursuing their goals. There is a fear of failure, a fear of what people might say - "what if they say that you're a quitter?" - and a general sense of anxiety about going it alone. Despite all of this, the singer acknowledges that "it's your life" and encourages themselves (and the listener) to take a chance because "you might grow".
The lyrics use a number of other metaphors to emphasise the idea that it's better to take risks and put oneself out there than to stay in one place and stagnate. The repetition of the phrase "What you waiting for?!" serves as a call to action, urging the listener to stop waiting for the right moment and to start taking steps towards their goals. The phrase "tick-tock" also appears throughout the song, suggesting the idea of time slipping away and the need to act quickly. The line "Born to blossom, bloom to perish" is a reminder that life is short and that it's important to make the most of it while we can.
Overall, the song is a message of encouragement, urging the listener to overcome their fear and take a chance on themselves. It's a reminder that life is short, and that the only way to truly grow and succeed is to take risks and put ourselves out there, even if it's scary or uncomfortable.
Line by Line Meaning
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Time is ticking away, be aware of it
Like a cat in heat, stuck in a moving car
Feeling trapped and overwhelmed
A scary conversation, shut my eyes, can't find the brake
Feeling helpless and unable to control the situation
What if they say that you're a quitter?
Fear of being judged and criticized
Naturally, I'm worried if I do it alone
Feeling anxious about taking a risk without support
Who really cares, cause it's your life
Don't worry about other people's opinions, do what's best for you
You never know, it could be great
Taking a risk could lead to a positive outcome
Take a chance 'cause you might grow
Believing that taking risks can lead to personal growth
What you waiting for?!
Urging the listener to stop hesitating and take action
Like an echo pedal, you're repeating yourself
Feeling stuck and trapped in a pattern
You know it all by heart
Being too comfortable with the familiar
Why are you standing in one place?
Questioning why someone is not taking action or making progress
Born to blossom, bloom to perish
Life is short, so make the most of it
Know your wigging out 'cause of your sex chromozone
Knowing that gender stereotypes can influence behavior and decisions
I know it's so messed up, how our society all thinks (for sure)
Acknowledging the negative effects of societal pressure and expectations
Life is short, you're capable
Reinforcing the notion that life is fleeting and encouraging the listener to be confident
Look at your watch now
A reminder that time is passing
You're still a super hot female
Reinforcing the idea that the listener has value and worth
You got your million-dollar contract
Acknowledging the listener's success and privilege
And they're all waiting for your hot track
Highlighting the high expectations placed on the listener
Take me to Japan
Expressing a desire for adventure and new experiences
Give me lots of brand new fans
Asking for validation and recognition
Osaka, Tokyo
Yearning for distant and exotic places
You Harajuku girls
Referencing the famous Harajuku district in Tokyo and its unique fashion style
Damn, you've got some wicked style, Go!!!
Expressing admiration and enthusiasm for the Harajuku girls' style and energy
Well, it's a nice day for a White Wedding
Referencing Billy Idol's song 'White Wedding' and suggesting that it's a good day for a fresh start
Tick-tock, tick-tock, Tick!
A final reminder that time is running out
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gwen Stefani, Linda Perry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FranciscoGarcia-gv4kz
What an amazing time
What a family
How did the years go by?
Now it's only me
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
(La, la, la, la, la, la, la)
Like a cat in heat stuck in a moving car
A scary conversation
Shut my eyes, can't find the brake
What if they say that you're a climber?
Naturally I'm worried if I do it alone
Who really cares? 'Cause it's your life
You never know, it could be great
Take a chance 'cause you might grow
Oh, oh-oh
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for?
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for?
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
Take a chance you stupid ho
Like an echo pedal, you're repeating yourself
You know it all by heart
Why are you standing in one place? (Uh-huh)
Born to blossom, bloom to perish
Your moment will run out 'cause of your sex chromosome
I know it's so messed up how our society all thinks (for sure)
Life is short, you're capable (uh-huh)
Oh, oh-oh
Look at your watch now
You're still a super hot female
You got your million dollar contract
And they're all waiting for your hot track
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for?
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for?
I can't wait to go
Back and do Japan
Get me lots of brand new fans
Osaka, Tokyo
You Harajuku girls
Damn, you've got some wicked style, go
Look at your watch now
You're still a super hot female
You got your million dollar contract
And they're all waiting for your hot track
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for?
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for?
What you waiting for?
What you waiting for?
Take a chance you stupid ho
Take a chance you stupid ho
What you waiting for?
What you waiting for?
Take a chance you stupid ho
Take a chance you stupid ho
@jacqueling35
Damn I just discovered this cover and just realized how much I still love Franz Ferdinand.
@aleksandraostrowska9095
exactly my thoughts
@COLLINTENDO
I love how they added their unique sound to this song. I think this is how a cover should be, take the song and make it different. It's got a sort of 80's punk sound to it.
@josval11
Right!!
@Kaczyfunny
I allways thought that a good cover is about to giving your own twist to the song while respect the original. FF nailed it percectley. I meet a lot of cover which just says "watch me i do better" and then release a low quality something. FF is perfect. Better then the original.
@FDSbeach
Genius adding the White Wedding part at the end
@juanorjuelaavila2288
I love how they cover White Wedding too
@sarahl9398
Ohhhh this def takes me back to the aughts and college. Fun fun fun. Franz Ferdinand could do no wrong.
@tehnobi
Wow, the Harajuku girls look a lot different now :o
@HDvid2211
😆