Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats is a soulful American band formed in … Read Full Bio ↴Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats is a soulful American band formed in 2013 by singer and songwriter Nathaniel Rateliff.

Some artists undergo reinventions. What Nathaniel Rateliff accomplishes on his first LP with the Night Sweats — transforming himself from folk troubadour to funky soul bandleader — is a revelation. Rateliff comes on like Van Morrison fronting Booker T. & the MG's, reviving the glory days of the Stax label.

I'd Be Waiting
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If I go home oh with a howlin' bend
If you ever get lonely, if you never did
I count the hours till you come round again

I'm just saying, um baby
I'd be waiting ah baby
I'd be waiting ah baby just to dance with you

If all this seems like I carry my head so low
If I don't sing, I'd be waiting on a call from home
My moan and wait, can't carry this on and on

I'd be standing in the corner
I'd be waiting just to hold you
I'd be waiting pretty baby just to dance with you

Somehow they're gone
Somehow they're playing
I'm tired and worn
But I'm still standing

I'm just saying, um baby
I'd be waiting ah baby
I'd be waiting ah baby just to dance with you

Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
I'm just saying, um baby
I'd be waiting ah baby

I'd be waiting ah baby
I'd be waiting ah baby just to dance with you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats's song "I'd Be Waiting" convey the idea of being there for someone you care about. The song tells the story of a person who is willing to wait for their loved one, no matter how long it takes. The lines "If you ever get lonely, if you never did, I count the hours till you come round again" show the singer's commitment to their partner.

The song talks about the feelings of loneliness and longing. The lines "If all this seems like I carry my head so low, If I don't sing, I'd be waiting on a call from home" reflect on the singer's state of mind when they are missing their loved one. The phrase "My moan and wait can't carry this on and on" shows that the singer is tired of being alone and waiting for their partner.

The chorus of the song is a declaration of love - "I'd be waiting ah baby just to dance with you". This line shows that the singer is willing to wait for their partner to come back so they can dance with them. The song also talks about resilience and strength in the face of adversity. The lines "Somehow they're gone, somehow they're playing, I'm tired and worn, but I'm still standing" show that the singer has gone through a tough time but they are still standing strong.

Overall, "I'd Be Waiting" is a song about love, commitment, and waiting. It talks about the ups and downs of a relationship and shows that true love can withstand the test of time.

Line by Line Meaning

If I go home oh with a howlin' bend
If I return home alone and despondent

If you ever get lonely, if you never did
If you ever feel lonely, even if you haven't before

I count the hours till you come round again
I'm eagerly waiting for you to come back

If all this seems like I carry my head so low
If I seem depressed and downcast

If I don't sing, I'd be waiting on a call from home
If I can't sing, I'll just wait for a call from home

My moan and wait, can't carry this on and on
I can't keep moaning and waiting forever

I'd be standing in the corner
I would be standing in the corner

I'd be waiting just to hold you
I would be waiting just to hold you

I'd be waiting pretty baby just to dance with you
I would be waiting to dance with you

Somehow they're gone
Somehow they have disappeared

Somehow they're playing
Somehow they are playing