The waiting
Tom Petty & Eddie Vedder Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴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
Honey, no one could have ever told me 'bout this
I said, 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 wanna live like I wanna live now
I said, yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

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

Yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you get one more yard
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

Overall Meaning

"The Waiting" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers is a song that explores the complexity of waiting for something to happen, particularly in a romantic context. The opening lines serve as a declaration of happiness and contentment, with the singer likening his current situation to that of heaven, something that is almost too good to be true. He acknowledges that he has never experienced anything like it before, and he is uncertain if he will ever experience it again. Despite his feelings, he remains realistic and describes no one being able to prepare him for this particular sensation, suggesting that it is something unique and unanticipated.

The chorus of the song is where the titular phrase "the waiting is the hardest part" is repeated multiple times, driving home the message of the song. The singer is waiting for something to happen, with each passing day feeling as though he is being dragged out further and further. The metaphor of seeing "one more card" feels like a reference to a hand of cards in a game, providing the image of the stakes being raised regularly. The second verse echoes the sentiments of the opening verse, reiterating that no one has made him feel the way he does currently. It also suggests that he now understands not to chase after anyone else anymore.

In the final verse, the singer encourages his partner not to let anything get to her, as he pledges to be there for her always. He expresses his willingness to be there for her in difficult times, promising to always support her. The song as a whole is a celebration of love and happiness, but it acknowledges the reality that sometimes it can be challenging to wait for those moments.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh baby, don't it feel like heaven right now?
The feeling is so good that she compares it to heaven.

Don't it feel like somethin' from a dream?
The feeling is unreal, just like something from a dream.

Yeah, I've never known nothing quite like this
The feeling is unique and unprecedented.

Don't it feel like tonight might never be again?
The moment is so special that it feels like it might never happen again.

Baby, we know better than to try and pretend
They both know that what they feel is real and authentic.

Honey, no one could have ever told me 'bout this
The feeling is something that cannot be described or explained by words.

I said, yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah) Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Repetition of the phrase emphasizes the intensity and excitement of the feeling.

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
Waiting for the special moment to happen is the hardest part. Every day that passes seems like another card drawn. You have to believe that it will happen and keep investing emotions, making it even harder.

Well yeah, I might have chased a couple of women around All it ever got me was down
The singer has had experience chasing women before, but it has never been rewarding and always left him feeling unhappy.

Yeah, then there were those that made me feel good But never as good as I feel right now
He's had relationships in the past that made him feel good, but not like this one does.

Baby, you're the only one that's ever known how To make me wanna live like I wanna live now
He feels that she's the only one who's helped him find his true purpose in life.

I said, yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah) Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Repetition of the phrase emphasizes the intensity and excitement of the feeling.

The waiting is the hardest part Every day you get one more yard You take it on faith, you take it to the heart The waiting is the hardest part
Waiting for the special moment to happen is the hardest part. Every day that passes seems like another yard gained. You have to believe that it will happen and keep investing emotions, making it even harder.

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 bleedin' heart, I'll be your cryin' fool Don't let this go too far, don't let it get to you
The singer encourages her not to let the waiting hurt her emotionally. He declares his readiness to be there for her and support her emotionally as long as she needs.

Yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah) Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Repetition of the phrase emphasizes the intensity and excitement of the feeling.

The waiting is the hardest part Every day you get one more yard 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
Waiting for the special moment to happen is the hardest part. Every day that passes seems like another yard gained. You have to believe that it will happen and keep investing emotions, making it even harder.

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