Comments, input and alterations are very welcome!
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I Am Waiting
(Mick Jagger / Keith Richards)

RCA Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, US, March 6 - 9, 1966

Mick Jagger - lead vocals, backing vocals, maracas
Keith Richards - acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
Brian Jones - dulcimer

I am waiting, I am waiting, 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, oh yeah, oh yeah
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 winter storm, 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

Produced by Andrew Loog Oldham

First released on:
The Rolling Stones - “Aftermath” LP
(Decca SKL 4786) UK, April 15, 1966



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-05-16 10:37 by René.

Kind of strange song, Rain-song or something...Like it anyway...

2 1 2 0

Nice folky song. Brian's dulcimer always sounded wondeful together with Keith's guitar.

Never really took to this one, always thought of it as a filler.

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crumbling_mice
Never really took to this one, always thought of it as a filler.

+1

2 1 2 0

I've always preferred the Ready Steady Go version with the rawer (live) vocal. Not the strongest cut on Aftermath, but interesting...

charming and fascinating proto-psychedelia -
not the greatest to dance to, maybe, but i'll take it! :E

As I love the complete AfterMath record this is indeed not the strongest song

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Used in the motion picture Rushmore with great effect:





I always loved the song, especially the contrast between the I am waiting lines and the
speeded up chorus.

One of the best songs they ever made, imo. And there is a little caribbean twist to it in the verses as well, imo.

Really love the song as it showed the Stones spreading their wings and becoming more eclectic. It was a kind of nod to what was going on in the folk-rock world at the time - especially some of the stuff on the Vanguard and Elektra labels like Buffy Saint-Marie.

I guess the inspiration for this would have come from one of their recent tours of America where they no doubt picked up loads of current albums.

You can also start to trace the beginnings of their love affair with Americana that saw it full flowering on Exile On Main Street - particularly side 2 via key signal points like Prodigal Son, Love In Vain and You Got To Move.

one of the first stones songs i liked as a kid.
nice little song. like how it stays kinda monotone and then breaks out with the chorus!

I'm undecided on this track. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don't. A bit like Aftermath as a whole, really.

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with sssoul
charming and fascinating proto-psychedelia -
not the greatest to dance to, maybe, but i'll take it! :E

+ 1 on that. Very charming and Keiths back up vocal is perfect, his guitar together with the dulcimer is excellent, one of the best mid 60s numbers. One of their best songs imo. One of the best examples from when Brian really was heavy for a brief time, after the blues and before the decline.

One of my favourite stones tracks, I love it!!!

...After the blues and before the decline...! (Redhotcarpet). I like the way you put it. I always thought of that Stones period as after the blues and before Jumpin' Jack Flash.As for 'I'm Waiting', I like it, and I like the lyrics too.

To me , this is when the Stones were not only cutting edge, but bleeding edge. You would listen to a new Rolling Stones album and be completely amazed at their versatility and creativity.

Brilliant song
Apart from the A and B sides of the 7" releases of Aftermath - I am Waiting and High And Dry are my favourite songs of this album

One of favorites

It's one of my absolute favourites too. The contrast between the soft start of the song and then the bursting out: It happens all the time! And then back to the soft part. Very subtle instrumentation as well. And then the ending of the song: the waiting is eternal.

Do you agree that he's waiting for Mister D. (Death, not devil)?

The 2 choruses seem to be desired ... but when they appear ... boom! ORGASM

A great piece.

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Christian
Do you agree that he's waiting for Mister D. (Death, not devil)?

Don't think they were that "deep" in 1966. Jagger is either just "waiting" - or he's talking about girls.....and the following sex
Death is not present, I'd say

it rawks

I love it. It has a sense of mystery in the verses, and the bridge comes crashing in with a totally different feel. A great example of the Stones as a brilliant pop band, and I mean that as a compliment.

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71Tele
A great example of the Stones as a brilliant pop band, and I mean that as a compliment.

is there another way to take it?

Strange yes, but I've always liked it...and loved it when it showed up in Rushmore....always enjoy when a deep cut gets it's due

the shoot 'em dead, brainbell jangler!

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StonesTod

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71Tele
A great example of the Stones as a brilliant pop band, and I mean that as a compliment.

is there another way to take it?

Well some people seem to regard the word "pop" as a negative thing these days, with even The Beatles being reinvented as a "rock" band. But yes, the Stones were a fantastic pop band, & I personally regard their poppiest era (1965 - 1967) as also their creative peak.

ah. well, i really don't find much distinction between pop and rock - rock is pop, by the very definition of the term. some rock is more popular than others...the stones have always been pretty popular rock band; ergo they're a pop band.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-05-09 19:19 by StonesTod.

I love that track! Top Rolling Stones!!