"Wait" is a song recorded by The Beatles, from their 1965 album Rubber Soul… Read Full Bio ↴"Wait" is a song recorded by The Beatles, from their 1965 album Rubber Soul. The songwriting credit is Lennon/McCartney, and the song is usually said to be a joint effort between the two, although in the 1997 book Many Years From Now, McCartney recalls it as entirely his. The lyrics, describing the singer's anxieties about his relationship with his girl while he is away, are thematically similar to several other Lennon/McCartney songs, such as "When I Get Home" and "Things We Said Today," written during the period of 1964 and 1965. The vocals on the verse are shared between Lennon and McCartney, and McCartney sings the two middle eight sections.

Origin:

The song was originally recorded for Help! in June 1965 but did not make the final pressing. When Rubber Soul fell one song short for a Christmas release, "Wait" was brought back. The Beatles added overdubs to the initial recording so it would blend in better with the other, more recent songs on Rubber Soul.

Personnel:

John Lennon – vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney – vocals, bass
George Harrison – guitar
Ringo Starr – drums, maracas, tambourine
Personnel per The Beatles Bible

Cover versions:

A cover version was issued as a single by Frankie Vaughan but failed to chart.
A cover by husband and wife duo Sam Lakeman and Cara Dillon was included on the 2006 compilation Rubber Folk.
Supergroup Yellow Matter Custard also covered the song.
Ben Kweller did a cover of the song.

Wait
The Beatles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's been a long time
Now I'm coming back home
I've been away now
Oh how I've been alone
Wait 'til I come back to your side
We'll forget the tears we've cried

But if your heart breaks

Don't wait, turn me away
And if your heart's strong
Hold on, I won't delay
Wait 'til I come back to your side
We'll forget the tears we've cried

I feel as though
You ought to know
That I've been good
As good as I can be
And if you do
I'll trust in you
And know that you
Will wait for me

It's been a long time
Now I'm coming back home
I've been away now
Oh how I've been alone
Wait 'til I come back to your side
We'll forget the tears we've cried

I feel as though
You ought to know
That I've been good
As good as I can be
And if you do
I'll trust in you
And know that you
Will wait for me

But if your heart breaks
Don't wait, turn me away
And if your heart's strong
Hold on, I won't delay
Wait 'til I come back to your side
We'll forget the tears we've cried

It's been a long time
Now I'm coming back home

I've been away now
Oh, how I've been alone

Overall Meaning

The Beatles' song "Wait" is a song about a man who has been away for a long time, but he is now coming back to his loved one. He expresses how alone he has been, but he is optimistic about reuniting with his partner. The song starts with the man admitting that it has been a long time since he has been with his loved one. He talks about the loneliness he has endured during this time. He promises to come back and rekindle their relationship. His lover will forget the tears they cried when he returns. However, he also acknowledges that relationships are not perfect, and there might be instances where his partner might turn him away.

The chorus advises the partner to hold on to their strong heart and not delay when he returns. He then assures his lover that he has been good while he was gone and trusts her to wait for him. The song ends with a final affirmation that the man is coming back to reconnect with his lover.

Line by Line Meaning

It's been a long time
It has been a while since I last came home.

Now I'm coming back home
Finally, I am returning home after being away for so long.

I've been away now
I have been gone from home for a significant period of time.

Oh how I've been alone
Throughout my time away, I have felt the burden of the loneliness.

Wait 'til I come back to your side
Hold on until I am once again with you.

We'll forget the tears we've cried
Together, we will move on from the pain that we have experienced.

But if your heart breaks
In case the heartache is too overwhelming for you.

Don't wait, turn me away
I understand if you cannot bear the thought of being with me at this time.

And if your heart's strong
But, if you are willing to hold on despite the hurt.

Hold on, I won't delay
I will not dawdle and will be there for you as soon as possible.

I feel as though
I have a sense of certainty.

You ought to know
I feel that it is important for you to be aware of something.

That I've been good
I have been well-behaved and have not caused any trouble.

As good as I can be
To the best of my ability, I have acted in an honorable manner.

And if you do
If you believe me and have faith in what I say.

I'll trust in you
I will have confidence in your willingness to wait for me.

And know that you
I am aware and certain that you are capable of doing so.

Will wait for me
I know that you will have the patience to hold out until my return.

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS