"I Am Waiting" was recorded between 6 and 9 March 1966 at RCA Studios in Hollywood, California.
The song's lyrics are obscure. They have the singer "waiting for someone to come out of somewhere" but don't provide any details of the circumstances. According to Allmusic critic Richie Unterberger, this is not a problem since "enhancing the general mysterious atmosphere is more important than providing an answer." Music critic Bill Janovitz suggests that the first verse sounds like singer Jagger is "tiptoeing as if in a game of hide and seek." Janovitz suggests that the first refrain begins to suggest that the singer may not just be waiting for an actual person, but rather it suggests "a deepening perception...that promises to offset the paranoia in the lyrics" with the words "It happens all the time/It's censored from our minds." Rolling Stones biographer Martin Elliot interprets the message of the lyrics as "don't fear the reaper."
The music of song is one of several Rolling Stones songs from this period that shows Appalachian and English folk influences. As he does on "Lady Jane," another song from Aftermath, Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones plays the dulcimer on "I Am Waiting." Jack Nitzsche plays the harpsichord. Bill Wyman's slow and "eerie" bassline and the acoustic guitars add to the effect. In the song's unusual structure, the refrains are louder and rock harder than the slow verses. In Janovitz's interpretation, the harder refrains permit Jagger to "vent the frustration" that has been built up through the verses. Author James Hector remarks that this allows the song to "blow hot and cold with remarkable subtlety" and Rolling Stones biographer Steve Appleford states that the eruptions in the refrains produce a "fine melodramatic effect" and allows the pop music of the verses to "explode into moments of yearning."
I Am Waiting
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh yeah, oh yeah
I am waiting, I am waiting
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Waiting for someone to come out of somewhere
Waiting for someone to come out of somewhere
You can't hold out, you can't hold out
You can't hold out, you can't hold out
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Waiting for someone to come out of somewhere
Waiting for someone to come out of somewhere
See it come along and
Don't know where it's from
Oh, yes you will find out
Well, it happens all the time
It's censored from our minds
You'll find out
Slow or fast, slow or fast
Oh yeah, oh yeah
End at last, end at last
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Waiting for someone to come out of somewhere
Waiting for someone to come out of somewhere
Stand up coming years
And escalation fears
Oh, yes we will find out
Well, like a withered stone
Fears will pierce your bones
You'll find out
Oh we're waiting, oh we're waiting
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh we're waiting, oh we're waiting
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Waiting for someone to come out of somewhere
Waiting for someone to come out of somewhere
Oh we're waiting, oh we're waiting
Oh we're waiting, oh were waiting
The Rolling Stones' song "I Am Waiting" is a song about waiting for someone or something to come into your life. The lyrics talk about waiting for someone to come out of somewhere, whether it's a place or a state of mind. The repetition of the phrase "oh yeah" gives the song a sense of urgency, as if the singer is anxiously waiting for something to happen.
The lyrics also suggest that whatever is coming is inevitable, and cannot be held back or avoided. The line "It's censored from our minds" suggests that there are things we are not supposed to know or understand, but that we will eventually find out. The line "Like a withered stone fears will pierce your bones" suggests that the waiting and anticipation can be painful and anxiety-inducing.
The song's verses are punctuated by short, simple guitar riffs and a driving drumbeat, giving the song a sense of momentum and urgency. The chorus is more melodic and anthemic, with the repeated lines "Oh we're waiting, oh we're waiting" urging the listener to join in the waiting.
Overall, "I Am Waiting" is a song about the human experience of waiting and anticipating the unknown, with a sense of excitement and dread all at once.
Line by Line Meaning
I am waiting, I am waiting
The singer is waiting for something or someone.
Oh yeah, oh yeah
The singer is expressing enthusiasm or confidence.
Waiting for someone to come out of somewhere
The singer is specifically waiting for a person to appear from an unknown location.
You can't hold out, you can't hold out
The artist acknowledges that the wait may be difficult or frustrating, but that it is necessary to continue.
See it come along and
The artist is anticipating the arrival of the expected person or thing.
Don't know where it's from
The singer is uncertain about the source of the expected person or thing.
Oh, yes you will find out
The singer is confident that the mystery will be solved in due time.
Well, it happens all the time
The artist is pointing out that such waits are not unusual or unexpected.
It's censored from our minds
The artist is suggesting that the answer or solution is hidden, perhaps by societal or psychological factors.
Slow or fast, slow or fast
The pace of the wait may vary, but it is still ongoing.
End at last, end at last
The singer believes that eventually the wait will come to an end.
Stand up coming years
The artist is looking to the future, suggesting that the wait may last a long time.
And escalation fears
The waiting may be accompanied by concerns about worsening situations.
Well, like a withered stone
The singer uses a simile to suggest that fear may have a lasting, negative impact on a person.
Fears will pierce your bones
The singer believes that fear can have a physical as well as emotional effect on a person.
Oh we're waiting, oh we're waiting
The group or collective is also experiencing the same wait.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
I am waiting, I am waiting (oh yeah, oh yeah)
Waiting for someone to come out of somewhere
You can't hold out, Oh yeah,
See it come along and
Don't know where it's from
Oh, yes you will find out
Well, it happens all the time
It's censored from our minds
You'll find out
Slow or fast, slow or fast, Oh yeah,
End at last, end at last
Stand up coming years
And escalation fears
Oh, yes we will find out
Well, like a withered stone
Fears will pierce your bones
You'll find out
Oh we're waiting, Oh yeah,
@user-js6el7vn2r
Я жду,
Я жду
(о да, о да)
Я жду,
Я жду
(О да, о да)
Жду, что кто-нибудь придёт откуда-нибудь
Жду, что кто-нибудь придёт откуда-нибудь
Никак не дождёшься
Никак не дождёшься
О да, о да
Никак не дождёшься
Никак не дождёшься
О да, о да
Ждёшь, что кто-нибудь придёт откуда-нибудь
Ждёшь, что кто-нибудь придёт откуда-нибудь
Видишь, начинается
Не знаешь, откуда оно
О, да, ты поймёшь
А ведь это происходит постоянно
Это вырезается цензурой из нашей памяти
Ты поймёшь
Рано или поздно,
Рано или поздно
О да, о да
В конце концов
В конце концов
О да, о да
Ждём, что кто-нибудь придёт откуда-нибудь
Ждём, что кто-нибудь придёт откуда-нибудь
Сумей противостоять наступающим годам и
Боязни обострений
О, да, мы поймём
И, как иссохший камень
Страхи проберут тебя до костей
Ты поймёшь
О, мы ждём,
О, мы ждём
О да, о да
О, мы ждём,
О, мы ждём
О да, о да
Ждём, что кто-нибудь придёт откуда-нибудь
Ждём, что кто-нибудь придёт откуда-нибудь
О, мы ждём,
О, мы ждём,
О, мы ждём,
О, мы ждём...
@MordecaiGTR
If it weren’t for Rushmore, I may have never heard this underrated gem
@karmap0lice
same here.... loved the movie tho
@nina1522
Me too.
@johnny2shoes90
Me too ❤
@danimwalle
Same!
@NishantMehrotra
Very, very underrated. This is the extra tracks that elevate bands from the rest of the pack. That sudden rush of energy at the chorus is very cool
@jarrettgardner0628
Yes it is!
@derjogderjog8031
so many stones songs underrated... i like beatles...but stones have proved they are just better
@marcus_ohreallyus
My favorite Stones song and hardly anyone knows it
@rockyjonesspacecadet7089
I know it.