Born to two neuroscientists, Ritter bought his first guitar from the local K-MART after hearing the Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash classic Girl From The North Country. He started at Oberlin College with the intent to follow in his parents' scientist footsteps, but instead discovered songwriting, and the music of artists like Gillian Welch, Townes Van Zandt, and Leonard Cohen. He graduated and then moved east, favoring its close proximity to historic folk clubs such as "Club Passim" in Boston. On a shoestring budget he recorded his critically acclaimed breakthrough album Golden Age of Radio in 2002 at various tiny, one-room studios on the East Coast. He has continued to grow from there, further developing his sound on subsequent albums.
Josh has recorded several records and E.P.s. In chronological order, they are:
Josh Ritter (Self Titled) (2000)
Golden Age of Radio (2001)
Come and Find Me EP (2003)
Hello Starling (2003)
4 Songs Live E.P. (2005)
The Animal Years (2006)
Girl In The War E.P. (2006)
Good Man E.P. (2006)
In The Dark: Live At Vicar Street (2006)
The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter (2007)
Live at the Record Exchange EP (2008)
So Runs the World Away (2010)
To the Yet Unknowing World (2011)
Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Live at The Iveagh Gardens (April 2011)
The Beast In Its Tracks (2013)
Acoustic Live, Vol.1 (2015)
Sermon on the Rocks (2015)
Wait for Love
Josh Ritter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got someone on my mind
And she don't make me wait the way you do
But time
Oh she holds me all the time
And she don't make me wait the way you do
Wait for love,Wait for love
I got someone on my mind
And she holds me pretty much the way you do
But time She holds me all the time
And she don't make me wait the way you do
Wait for love,Wait for love
Sometimes babe we all have to wait for love [x2]
Josh Ritter's song "Wait for Love" deals with the complicated emotions that come with loving someone who is unavailable or unreliable. The song's repeating refrain, "Wait for love," speaks to the phrase's inherent contradiction: love is supposed to be spontaneous and all-consuming, yet sometimes it requires a great deal of patience and endurance.
The first verse sets the scene: the singer has someone else on their mind who is able to give them the attention and affection they desire without any delay. However, the singer is simultaneously holding out hope that the subject of the song will eventually provide them with the same level of dedication. The second verse conveys a similar sentiment, with the caveat that the two love interests are virtually interchangeable.
At its core, "Wait for Love" is a song about optimism and perseverance. Despite feeling let down by the object of their affection, the singer remains hopeful for a happy ending. The repetition of the title serves as both a mantra and a reminder that love is worth the wait.
Line by Line Meaning
Wait for love
Be patient and wait for love to come.
Wait for love
Wait for love to arrive before rushing into things.
I got someone on my mind
I am thinking about someone whom I am interested in.
And she don't make me wait the way you do
This person is more responsive and doesn't make me wait when I reach out to them.
But time
However, time is a key factor in relationships.
Oh she holds me all the time
This other person is affectionate and attentive towards me often.
And she don't make me wait the way you do
Similar to before, this person is more responsive and doesn't leave me hanging.
Sometimes babe we all have to wait for love
It's a common experience to have to wait for love to arrive at the right time.
I got someone on my mind
I am still thinking about this person whom I am interested in.
And she holds me pretty much the way you do
This other person possesses similar qualities, including affection and attentiveness.
But time
Time is still a critical component in all relationships.
She holds me all the time
This person is still very affectionate towards me.
And she don't make me wait the way you do
Reiterating the point that this person is much more responsive.
Sometimes babe we all have to wait for love
Repeated once again to reinforce the idea that waiting for love is a common experience.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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