Native to Minneapolis, Santos discovered his passion for music at age six when he started playing piano and his inspiration for playing guitar began at the age of fifteen. At first Santos pursued the visual arts, but decided to dedicate his life solely to music and relocated to Chicago in 2001 to study music composition at Columbia College Chicago. He released his first independently produced album Change is Better in 2004 and EP As a Crow Flies in 2006. In November of 2007, Santos released an acoustic album Matters of the Bittersweet under Candy-Rat Records, with intimate video recordings available on YouTube.
Waiting for the Day
Matthew Santos Lyrics
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As empty as a bottle
On the side of the road
I'm trying to pave a new way
Straying from the horde
I'd like to take you with me
If only you'd give
I think that we'd be happy
Life that we'd live now
I could be there if you wished it so
And if you don't then I'll go
And I'm just waiting for the day
Said I'm just waiting for the day
When you come my way
When you come my way
We're as open as a clear day
Not a cloud in the sky
Maybe you'd be better
With some other guy
And I know he wouldn't love you
Not like I do
Cos darling I know you
Like the sky knows the blue
Sky knows the blue
I would be there if you wished it so
And if you don't then I'll go
And I'm just waiting for the day
Said I'm just waiting for the day
When you come my way
When you come my way
The lyrics of Matthew Santos's song "Waiting for the Day" express a sense of longing and uncertainty about a relationship. The first verse highlights the feeling of hopelessness by making the comparison of hope to an empty bottle on the side of the road. The singer is trying to move away from the crowd and pave a new way, but he is unsure of the person he is singing to because he needs them to give him a sign that they will come with him. The chorus expresses his waiting and his desire for this person, and he's willing to wait as long as it takes for them to come around.
The second verse begins by saying that they are as open as a clear day with not a cloud in the sky, which could represent their present situation where there are no obstacles or barriers between them. However, the singer ponders if maybe the person would be happier with someone else. He then declares that whoever that someone else may be, they would not love her the way he does, illustrating the intensity of his feelings for her. The chorus, again, expresses his waiting and his desire for this person to come around.
In summary, the lyrics communicate the singer's hesitation and desire to move away together but without a guarantee that they will be happy. The contrasting images of hope and uncertainty, clarity and doubt, give the lyrics an emotional depth that leaves the listener with a sense of unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
Hope
Starting with the feeling of hope, which is as empty as a bottle on the side of the road.
On the side of the road
Just like the empty bottle, hope has been discarded by someone and left aside, but it still potentially has value if we choose to pick it up.
I'm trying to pave a new way
The singer is trying to find a new path or direction in his life, one that differs from the crowd.
Straying from the horde
The artist wants to break free from the conventional thinking and behavior of the masses.
I'd like to take you with me
If the prospect of this new direction is appealing to the artist, he would like to share it with his partner.
If only you'd give
The success of this endeavor depends on the willingness of his partner to participate and support him.
I think that we'd be happy
The singer is not promising perfection, but he is optimistic that their lives together will be fulfilling and positive.
With the life that we'd live now
The singer is looking to create a life here and now, which will be fulfilling and worthwhile for both of them.
I could be there if you wished it so
If his partner is receptive to these ideas, he is willing to stand by her decisions.
And if you don't then I'll go
On the other hand, if she does not support his vision, he must pursue it on his own.
And I'm just waiting for the day
At this point, the singer is waiting for his partner's response or to take his own decision to move ahead.
Said I'm just waiting for the day
Emphasizing the continuation of this waiting period, which could be filled with hope or uncertainty.
When you come my way
The singer is looking forward to the day when his partner comes to join him on this journey and fill the empty space in his life with all of their potential.
We're as open as a clear day
The singer and his partner have nothing hidden from each other and are completely honest and transparent.
Not a cloud in the sky
Metaphorically, there are no storms or problems in their relationship holding them back.
Maybe you'd be better
With his admission, the artist acknowledges that it might be possible that his partner could find better love with someone else.
With some other guy
He is aware that there might be someone else better suited to complement her in a relationship.
And I know he wouldn't love you
However, the singer feels their love is irreplaceable and whatever new relationship she might have, it would not be the same as the love he has for her.
Not like I do
The love the singer has for his partner is unique and special to him and could not be replicated by anyone else.
Cos darling I know you
The singer believes he knows his partner as an individual better than anyone else and his perspective is invaluable.
Like the sky knows the blue
Just as sky knows blue as its basic essence, the artist knows his partner and is deeply connected with her in every way.
Contributed by Owen K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.