Waiting for someone, especially someone you love, can be an excruciating experience. How could it not be? Sometimes, you’ve got all these crazy-intense feelings bottled up inside you, but you can’t do anything but wait for them to realize that you’re meant to be together. Even simply waiting for someone to come home can be agonizing too.
The good thing is that there’s always a song out there for every stage of this confusing journey. The more time you spend listening to said songs and getting lost in those emotional melodies, the less time you have to do something about your situation.
If you’re in the middle of waiting for someone you love, put on some headphones, and check out these 19 songs about waiting for someone.
Top Songs About Waiting for Someone
1. You Belong with Me by Taylor Swift
If you are looking for a song about waiting for someone to fall in love with you, this one is perfect. “You Belong with Me” by Taylor Swift tells the story of a girl who has fallen in love with one of her closest friends.
However, he has eyes for someone else, leaving Swift hoping for him to realize that they truly belong together. This song became an anthem for young love where the other person is with someone who is not suitable for them.
Taylor Swift may be grown up now, but this song will never get old. It perfectly captures the feeling of waiting for someone in a relationship with someone else and the longing to be more than just friends.
2. Waiting In Vain by Bob Marley & The Wailers
The title says it all — “Waiting in Vain” is a song about waiting without expecting to be rewarded for your efforts. Bob Marley wrote this song for his album Exodus. As Bob Marley sings, “I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love,” you can hear his frustration about waiting for her lover without assurance that it will even work out.
It was rumored that Bob Marley wrote this song about Cindy Breakspeare. Even though he was married to Rita Marley, Bob Marley wrote the song about his courtship with the Jamaican model. It was alleged that Marley had to wait for three years to be with Breakspeare.
“Waiting In Vain” was first released as a single in 1977, reaching No. 27 on the UK Singles Chart. It has since appeared on Marley’s two compilation albums, Rebel Music, and Exodus (Deluxe Edition).
3. You Can’t Hurry Love by Phil Collins
Waiting for the right love doesn’t always have to be about sadness and heartbreak. It can also be about acceptance, moving on, and embracing happiness. Phil Collins’ rendition of “You Can’t Hurry Love” expresses just that.
In November 1982, Phil Collins released his famous cover of the soul song from his second solo album, Hello, I Must Be Going. American female vocal group The Supremes originally recorded the song for Motown in 1966. It was said that the original song was inspired by the 1950s gospel song “(You Can’t Hurry God) He’s Right on Time.”
Although the song has been covered by many other artists, such as the Dixie Chicks, Collins’ rendition was the most popular in the United Kingdom. It was Collins’ first No. 1 hit in his home country; a feat not previously accomplished by The Supremes.
Collins clarified that his rendition of the song was not intended to reinterpret the Supremes’ original song but rather to remake it. Because many of his musical influences came from Motown, his cover was intended to pay homage to the record label that later influenced his musical tastes.
4. Come Home by OneRepublic
“Come Home” was originally a track from OneRepublic’s debut album, Dreaming Out Loud, released in 2007. The American pop-rock band later updated the song in 2009 with new vocals from singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles. The more recent version had a successful commercial performance, peaking at No. 80 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Front man Ryan Tedder wrote “Come Home” out of a touching story of one of his closest friends. Shortly after proposing to his long-time girlfriend, his friend had to be deployed in Iraq. The song was really about the couple’s experience while the soldier serves overseas, and his fiancée remains at home.
Tedder was moved by the couple’s battle to overcome adversity despite their great distance. As a result, he wrote this beautiful song that is hopeful and sorrowful.
5. Come Home Soon by SHeDAISY
If you’re looking for a country song about waiting for someone to come home, you will enjoy this beautiful ballad by American country music group SHeDAISY. With its touching melody, “Come Home Soon” tells lyrics many people have felt before. It’s about experiencing loneliness for your lover and missing them greatly.
When Kristyn Osborn wrote the song with his partner John Shanks, she was inspired by the situation of a friend longing for her husband who was deployed in the military.
In the book Rednecks & Bluenecks, Osborn explains that the song “could be relatable to anyone who is separated from a loved one, but it was inspired by the circumstances of a soldier being taken away from his family and sent to do something he didn’t understand or really want to do.”
SHeDAISY released the song “Come Home Soon” as the second single from their album Sweet Right Here in July 2004. Since then, it has become an anthem for people who have been stuck waiting for their lover and know how painful this situation can be.
6. I’ll Be Waiting by Adele
Compared to the rest of the 21 album by Adele, “I’ll Be Waiting” is a much more optimistic song. Adele talks about how she may use her recent breakup to her advantage and apologize for presenting her ex-lover in an unfavorable light.
In an interview with Spin Magazine, Adele revealed that many songs in the 21 album were here blaming her ex-boyfriends. As a result, she wrote some new songs to create a feeling of balance. Adele included “I’ll Be Waiting,” which is about recognizing one’s flaws and accepting mistakes.
In the song, Adele refuses to move on and find someone else to be with. Instead, she waits for her ex-lover to realize his true feelings and come back to be with her. Adele is aware of being responsible for their breakup. She then vows to be different and better to him, even if it means putting herself at risk.
7. Wait by Maroon 5
“Wait” is a catchy pop song in which Adam Levine compels a girl to stay and listen to him out as she walks away. Levine adores this girl, but he recognizes that he has been a terrible boyfriend to her. Regretful of his past actions, the singer is now determined to make up for all the unpleasant times to keep his former lover.
While the song is upbeat, the lyrics are actually sad and filled with regret. It’s about attempting to save a failed relationship and missing someone who no longer wants you in their life.
“Wait” was the fourth single from Maroon 5’s 2017 album Red Pill Blues written by Adam Levine, John Ryan, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, and Ammar Malik.
8. Waitin’ On a Woman by Brad Paisley
“Waitin’ on a Woman,” written by Don Sampson and Wynn Varble, is about a newly married man sitting on a mall bench. While waiting for his wife to finish shopping, the central character encounters an older man who is waiting on a woman just like him.
The older man then says that, despite having to wait for his wife on numerous occasions, he doesn’t mind. The older man advises the younger man that he will frequently find himself “waitin’ on a woman.”
Towards the song’s end, the older man then states that he believes he will die before his wife. After realizing this, he said he would wait for his wife in heaven since he, too, doesn’t mind “waitin’ on a woman.” In the end, the older guy is seen sitting on a white seat, wearing a white suit on a deserted beach, and waiting for his wife to finally join him.
9. I Will Wait by Mumford & Sons
“I Will Wait” by Mumford & Sons was the lead single from the band’s second studio album, Babel. In its first week of release, the song sold 153,000 copies in the United States, making it its highest-charting song in both the United States and the United Kingdom. It peaked at No. 12 in both countries.
The song portrays the story of a man struggling to be with the one he loves. Here, Marcus Mumford sings about the hardships of keeping a relationship despite life’s problems on the road. It’s one of the numerous songs on the album influenced by the band’s hectic touring schedule. Despite the song’s religious undertones, Mumford has disputed that the album is a statement of faith.
10. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing by Jack Johnson
“Sitting, Waiting, Wishing” is the sixth track in Jack Johnson’s 2005 album, In Between Dreams. The song’s premise was inspired by Johnson’s friend, who was pursuing a girl that clearly is not interested in him. He wanted to write a song that would make light of this bad situation.
Johnson explains, “I tried to write a song that would help him have a laugh at himself because he was spending so much time trying to get her and it obviously wasn’t leading anywhere. That was one just to cheer up a friend.”
Even though the song failed on the chart, “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing” still received a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Its music video also got nominated for Best Male Video at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.
11. Patience by Guns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses was known for many hit songs, but “Patience” is perhaps their most popular ballad. The song only features three guitars, but it’s still one of rock’s best acoustic tunes. It set the bar for all-acoustic instrumentation, allowing hard rockers to show off their sensitive, vulnerable sides more subtly.
In this ballad, Axl Rose sings about waiting things out in a relationship. Rose misses his ex-girlfriend, and he says he would resolve all their troubles with patience. It is a hopeful song about waiting for everything to be fine again.
“Patience” was the only single from their second album, G N’ R Lies, and it reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Guns N’ Roses usually perform the song’s final part with electric guitars during live performances.
12. In the Midnight Hour by Wilson Pickett
“In the Midnight Hour” by Wilson Pickett was released in 1965, written by Pickett and Steve Cropper. It became a hit on both the R&B and pop charts, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B chart and peaking at No. 21 on the pop charts.
In the lyrics, Pickett is waiting for his girl for a romantic encounter until midnight. It’s unclear whether he’s doing it at that hour to avoid being discovered or simply because it is romantic. The lyrics depict that his affection for this lover will come tumbling down in either case.
The song has become a 1960s soul classic, ranking on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it’s also one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.
13. Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers
The Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody” is one of the most popular songs ever recorded, and many musicians have released their own renditions of the iconic hit. According to the song’s publishing administrator, more than 670 artists have recorded “Unchained Melody” in multiple languages, totaling over 1,500 recordings.
In 1955, Alex North wrote the music for the film Unchained. Hy Zaret originally wrote the lyrics, but they were rejected. He then wrote new lyrics to go with North’s music. The final song was recorded by Todd Duncan for the film soundtrack and released as a single that same year.
In 1965, The Righteous Brothers decided to record “Unchained Melody” in a different style. The duo slowed the song down considerably so that they could convey its message more emotionally. It was a good decision: the song became a No. 1 hit and sold over a million copies.
This song is all about feeling like you can’t live without someone, and that’s a common theme when it comes to waiting. The fact that the song is so well-known makes it perfect for karaoke nights too.
14. I’m Waiting for The Day by Beach Boys
The Beach Boys released the song in 1966, and it was featured on the band’s album Pet Sounds. Written by Brian Wilson, this was the first Beach Boys song that Wilson wrote and produced on his own.
In the lyrics, the narrator finds himself wondering how long he’ll have to wait for the love of his life. While it’s a sweet sentiment, the restlessness is palpable, making it a relatable song for listeners who experienced waiting for someone.
At its core, “I’m Waiting for The Day” is a simple love song about one’s desire to console and support a girl who still has feelings for her ex. Some lines in the song even imply that things did not go well for the narrator.
15. So Far Away by Carole King
Carole King wrote the song “So Far Away” for her 1971 album Tapestry. The lyrics describe a longing for a faraway lover and waiting to be with them again. The song ties together her own experiences as a performer and her constant traveling, which keeps her so far away from loved ones.
Her lover being with her again seems like the only way to solve her problem, but they’re too far apart for that to happen. AllMusic critic Bill Janovitz points out that while the lyrics begin by focusing on the physical distance between the lovers, the song also explores emotional distance.
16. I’ll Wait by Van Halen
Van Halen’s song “I’ll Wait” is from their sixth studio album, 1984. It was the album’s second single, and it peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Van Halen wrote the synthesizer-driven song with Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers. Producer Ted Templeman brought in McDonald when lead singer David Lee Roth was having problems finishing the melody and lyrics of the song.
In the first verse, Roth sings, “Are you for real? It’s so hard to tell from just a magazine.” It was reported that a Calvin Klein model inspired the song. While finishing up the lyrics and melody for the song, Roth and McDonald allegedly taped the photo next to a Sony Trinitron TV and addressed the lyrics to the model.
17. The Man Who Can’t Be Moved by The Script
“The Man Who Can’t Be Moved,” released in 2008, is a single from The Script’s debut album. The song depicts the world’s most determined man, who has exhausted all other alternatives in waiting for the girl who left him. In the hopes that she will return to him, he has resorted to just residing on the corner where he first met her.
In the music video, lead vocalist Danny O’Donoghue is seen sitting on the sidewalk, patiently singing about how he is waiting for her ex-lover to come meet him. Through the time-lapsed scenes of Danny in the rain and snow, the singer is seen growing older with a thicker beard. At the end of the video, he is still waiting on the pavement for her lover.
18. Waiting For a Girl Like You by Foreigner
“Waiting for a Girl Like You” is a power ballad from British-American rock band Foreigner. The unique synthesizer tune was performed by renowned ’80s musician Thomas Dolby, who was still relatively unknown at the time. Guitarist Mick Jones and lead singer Lou Gramm wrote the famous song.
While explaining the idea for the track, Jones told Songfacts, “It just came out. I had no idea what it meant, but it got to the point where I couldn’t even be in the studio when we were recording it sometimes. It left such a deep impression on me.”
“It’s the kind of song that the pen does the writing, and you don’t even know where it came from. But I feel that it’s stuff that’s floating around at times, and you have to grasp it. It’s kind of flying around in the air, and you just have to be open enough to let that flow through you,” he added.
In his autobiography, Lou Gramm describes a gorgeous, mysterious woman who appeared in the control room when he was recording his vocals. This encounter inspired him to perform the passionate take that was better than he had ever sung the song. Unfortunately, Gramm never found out who the beautiful woman was.
19. The Waiting by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
The notion of this song is familiar to anyone who has experienced the pangs of anticipation: waiting is the hardest part. According to Tom Petty, the 1981 classic “The Waiting” was inspired by a quote from Janis Joplin where she said, “I love being on stage and everything else is just waiting.”
Petty began writing the verses after using the quote in the song’s chorus. “I had a really good chorus, and I had to work backwards from the chorus. So that’s always hard. But I was really determined that I was going to get it. And I got it. It just took me a long time. It took weeks of working on it,” Petty said.
“The Waiting” is the lead single from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ 1981 album Hard Promises. It reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles list and No. 1 on the Rock Tracks chart.
Conclusion
Songs can indeed let our emotions run wild and express ourselves in ways that words don’t. Sometimes, we just need music to do that for us. These 19 songs about waiting for someone are a great way to express your feelings. Hopefully, these songs will help you better understand and deal with your own experiences while you wait for your special someone.
