The Waiting

Tom Petty

About The Waiting

"The Waiting" is the lead single from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' album Hard Promises released in 1981. The song peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and #1 on the magazine's new Rock Tracks chart, where it remained for six consecutive weeks during the summer of 1981.


Year:
1993
3:59
87 
#1

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Oh baby don't it feel like heaven right now
Don't it feel like somethin' from a dream
Yeah I've never known nothing quite like this
Don't it feel like tonight might never be again
Baby, we know better than to try and pretend
Baby no one could have ever told me 'bout this, yeah, yeah, yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah yeah

The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part

Well yeah I might have chased a couple of women around
All it ever got me was down
Yeah, then there were those that made me feel good
But never as good as I feel right now
Baby you're the only one that's ever known how
To make me want to live like I want to live now, yeah,yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part

Oh, don't let it kill you baby, don't let it get to you
Don't let 'em kill you baby, don't let 'em get to you
I'll be your breathin' heart, I'll be your cryin' fool
Don't let this go to far, don't let it get to you

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part
Yeah, the waiting is the hardest part
Ooh
Is the hardest part
Ooh
Is the hardest part

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Tom Petty

Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty (born October 20, 1950) was an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He was the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch. He had also performed under the pseudonyms of Charlie T. Wilbury, Jr. and Muddy Wilbury. more »

15 fans

Written by: Tom Petty

Lyrics © Gone Gator Music

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Date
"The Waiting" was released on April 21, 1981.
Album History
It was included as the lead single from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' fourth studio album, "Hard Promises."
Commercial Success
The song peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the band's highest-charting hit at that time.
Song Duration
"The Waiting" runs for 3 minutes and 58 seconds.
Inspiration
Tom Petty once said that the waiting referenced in the song is about the thrill of anticipation he felt in making music.
Songwriting Process
The song came to Petty while playing the electric piano in his living room, and the lyrics took him only 10 minutes to write.
Musical Style
The musical arrangement of "The Waiting" is said to embody a classic Heartbreakers sound, with its bright, Byrds-inspired guitars and anthemic chorus.
Noteworthy Performances
A popular live staple of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' concerts, "The Waiting" was performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2012.
Celebrity Fan
Musician and actor Eddie Vedder, the lead vocalist of Pearl Jam, cited "The Waiting" as one of his favorite songs, and even joined Petty on stage for a performance of the song in 2006.
Cover Versions
"The Waiting" has been covered by numerous artists, including Natalie Imbruglia and Linda Ronstadt.
In Movies
Notably, this song has been featured in several movies such as "The Family Stone" and "Ricki and the Flash."
Iconic Line
The line "You take it on faith, you take it to the heart, the waiting is the hardest part" is often quoted and is recognized as one of Petty's most memorable lyrics.

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    The Waiting

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1981

    Billboard #19


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