Waiting For Somebody
Paul Westerberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah ha ha, come and take my hand
All my life, waiting for somebody
Ah ha ha, whoa, yeah
Ah ha ha
Ah ha ha
Ah ha ha
Been down so long, doesn't really matter
This downtown home, been kicked and I've been spurred
You comin' along? It does't really matter
I go it alone, it doesn't even hurt
All my life, waiting for somebody
Ah ha ha, whoa, yeah
All my life, waiting on somebody
Ah ha ha, ooh, yeah
I'm waitin' for the day
Waitin' for the day that you come my way
Hey, hey, ah ha ha
Ah ha ha
Ah ha ha
Ah ha ha
I drove down deep, I made a big decision
I'm going to sleep and I'm going there alone
I know damn well I'm tired of all this cryin'
On my feet as far as I can tell
I'm waitin' for the day
Waitin' for the day that you come my way
Somebody
Somebody
Somebody
Somebody
Waiting for somebody
Ah ha ha
Ah ha ha
I want somebody
Ah ha ha
Ah ha ha
Waiting for somebody
Ah ha ha
Waiting for somebody
Ah ha ha
I'm waiting for somebody
All my life (ah ha ha)
Hey, hey, hey, ah ha ha, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
The song "Waiting For Somebody" by Paul Westerberg is a melancholic anthem about loneliness and the longing for companionship. A person is waiting for someone special to come take their hand and fill the void of loneliness they have felt all their life. The repetition of the phrase "all my life, waiting for somebody" emphasizes the depth of their desire for someone to share their life with, and the "ah ha ha" vocalizations that punctuate each line add a touch of desperation and sadness to the lyrics.
The song acknowledges the difficulties that come with searching for companionship, especially in a city where it feels like everyone is alone. But even though the singer has been kicked down and beaten up, they're still holding out hope that someone will come along and make it all worth it. The repeated refrain of "I'm waiting for the day that you come my way" drives home the point that the singer's life won't feel complete until they find that special someone.
Overall, "Waiting For Somebody" is a poignant and relatable depiction of the human desire for intimacy and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
All my life, waiting for somebody
I have been waiting for someone to come along and be with me for my entire existence
Ah ha ha, come and take my hand
I am excited and hopeful for someone to come into my life and take me away from waiting for somebody
Been down so long, doesn't really matter
I have been through so much pain and heartache that it doesn't affect me anymore
This downtown home, been kicked and I've been spurred
I have lived in this area for a long time and have been hurt and rejected by people
You comin' along? It does't really matter
I don't care if someone comes along or not, because it won't make a difference
I go it alone, it doesn't even hurt
I am used to being alone and it no longer causes me pain
I'm waitin' for the day that you come my way
I am waiting for the day that someone will finally come into my life and be with me
I drove down deep, I made a big decision
I've gone deep inside myself and have decided to give up on waiting for somebody and just go to sleep alone
I know damn well I'm tired of all this cryin'
I am aware that I am tired of feeling sad and crying all the time because of being alone
On my feet as far as I can tell
I'm getting up and moving on with my life as best as I can
Somebody
I desperately want someone to come into my life
Waiting for somebody
I am still waiting for someone to come along and be with me
I want somebody
I have a strong desire for someone to come into my life
I'm waiting for somebody
I am eagerly and anxiously waiting for someone to come along and be with me
All my life (ah ha ha)
My entire existence has been focused on waiting for someone to come into my life
Hey, hey, hey, ah ha ha, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
A repetition of previous lines to emphasize the feelings of desperation and hope
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL WESTERBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Lawson
My girlfriend, now my wife of almost 26 years, gave me the Singles soundtrack CD and a Sega Genesis for Christmas in 1992. Wore the CD out listening for hours on end while playing Sonic the Hedgehog. Oh man, those were the days!
CJ 2023
Same here. Married now 27 years this June. We saw the movie together and I had to have the soundtrack. We loved this music. Yeh the great old days.
Matt Lustig
You did the right thing by marrying her
MrP
@Matt Lustig , lol I was thinking the same thing. Girl has good taste.
John Brady
Love it. Man…. So many good memories.
SkelvinKnight
You are lucky
C Lewis Messina
I was 21, living in Seattle when this movie came out: such an honest film for the time and place. A forgotten gem. I hope today's young adults get a fun scene to live in like that again.
canesfan136
I just wish young adults now know how to have fun...its a lost art.
roydagger
+C Lewis Messina The film was a lame effort. We have two very bland and mainstream looking characters pining for, and ruminating on love. Wow, how cutting edge!!!
This glorified Hallmark Channel film only retains its "cred" because of its very opportunistic use of the whole "Seattle sound" as the main soundtrack.
The two main characters in the film were so glaringly separate from that whole scene, I found watching this movie an embarrassment.
roydagger
+canesfan136 Umm..I actually think they are still for the most part, having fun. You can't generalize about a whole generation.
What you see is only what goes on on the surface.
Our time has come and gone, so lets not try to understand, or make assumptions about "young adults" that we clearly never interact with.