The band's 2003 album Up All Night reached the top five of the Australian Albums Chart, it achieved double platinum status and won four ARIA Awards in October. Two further top five albums were issued, Sun Dirt Water in 2007 and Temptation in 2011. The Waifs have three top fifty singles, "London Still" (2002), "Bridal Train" (2004) and "Sun Dirt Water". The band supported Bob Dylan on his 2003 Australian tour and then his 2003 North American tour, including a gig at the Newport Folk Festival.
The Waifs founded the independent label Jarrah Records in July 2002, co-owned with fellow musician John Butler, and their common manager Phil Stevens, which handles their Australian releases.
Waif Song
The Waifs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We play our out of tune guitars
Mother Nature keeps us safe
Even when we're off our face
A waif is all I want to be
Not better for you no worse for me
You've got a mobile phone and heaps of money
You may sit and talk and stare
But he's not gonna cut his hair
Not gonna patch my jeans or wash my face
Going to keep on being a waif
A waif you see is an unloved child
A kid that's stray and gone kind of wild
You can change your name, change your look
You can even change your style
But why don't you come and live with us for a while
We pick up work when we can
Our clothes are all second hand
Harmonicas are old and abused
But she can still play the blues
In "Waif Song," The Waifs celebrate their nonconformity and lack of possessions. The song sets a tone of carefree joy and acceptance, as the band drives around in their beat-up car playing their out-of-tune guitars. In turn, the lyrics have a powerful anti-materialistic message: the Waifs prefer to be waifs and free of traditional societal burdens, like money and status symbols.
For the Waifs, the notion of a waif implies the essence of freedom, not being better or worse than anyone else. They use a mobile phone and heaps of money as a point to emphasize their own lack of extravagance. It's all about loving themselves for who they are and not what they have, as they embrace their freedom, both physically and mentally. Even when they're off their face, the Waifs feel protected by Mother Nature.
The band further explores the meaning behind being a waif, explaining it as an unloved child or a kid that's stray and kind of wild, meaning they're not governed by mainstream society's standards. The Waifs' approach to life is confident and accepting of themselves, and they advocate for others to join them in their joyous, unmaterialistic existence.
Line by Line Meaning
We drive an old beat up car
We don't have much, but we get by with what we have.
We play our out of tune guitars
Our music may not be perfect, but it comes from the heart.
Mother Nature keeps us safe
We may not have much protection, but we find solace in the natural world.
Even when we're off our face
Even when we're intoxicated or disoriented, we still find comfort in our way of life.
A waif is all I want to be
I desire a simple life, free from societal expectations and pressures.
Not better for you no worse for me
My way of life may not be for everyone, but it brings me contentment and fulfillment.
You've got a mobile phone and heaps of money
You may have material possessions, but they don't necessarily bring happiness or a sense of purpose.
We ain't got much but at least we're free
We may not have much in terms of possessions or security, but we have the freedom to live our lives on our own terms.
You may sit and talk and stare
Others may judge or criticize us, but we remain true to ourselves.
But he's not gonna cut his hair
We reject societal norms and expectations regarding appearance and personal grooming.
Not gonna patch my jeans or wash my face
We prioritize living a simple, authentic life over conforming to societal standards of cleanliness and fashion.
Going to keep on being a waif
We embrace our unconventional way of life and are committed to staying true to ourselves.
A waif you see is an unloved child
The term 'waif' traditionally refers to a neglected or abandoned child.
A kid that's stray and gone kind of wild
A waif is someone who has been forced to fend for themselves and may have developed a nonconformist or rebellious nature in response to their circumstances.
You can change your name, change your look
You may be able to alter your external appearance, but your inner self and sense of identity cannot be easily changed.
You can even change your style
Modifying your mode of dress or personal aesthetic won't necessarily bring inner peace or fulfillment.
But why don't you come and live with us for a while
We welcome those who share our values and way of life to join us and experience the freedom and contentment we have found.
We pick up work when we can
We make do with limited job opportunities and earn money as we are able.
Our clothes are all second hand
We acquire clothing through thrifting and other affordable means rather than purchasing new items.
Harmonicas are old and abused
Our musical instruments may be well-worn and used, but they still serve their purpose and bring joy to our lives.
But she can still play the blues
We maintain our creative passions and are able to find beauty and meaning in even the most challenging situations.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
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