Waiting on a Friend

The Rolling Stones

About Waiting on a Friend

"Waiting on a Friend" is a song by the Rolling Stones from their 1981 album Tattoo You. Released as the album's second single, it reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the US.


Year:
2012
109 
#1

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Watching girls go passing by it ain't the latest thing
I'm just standing in a doorway.
I'm just trying to make some sense.
Out of these girls passing by, the tales they tell of men.
I'm not waiting on a  lady, I'm just waiting on a friend. Mm.
 
A smile relieves a heart that grieves, remember what I said.
I'm not waiting on a lady, I'm just waiting on a friend. 
I'm just waiting on a friend, just waiting on a friend.
I'm just waiting on a friend, I'm just waiting on a friend,
just waiting on a friend.
 
Don't need a whore, don't need no booze, don't need a virgin priest.
But I need some one I can cry to.
I need someone to protect.
 
Ooh, making love and breaking hearts, it is a game for youth.
But I'm not waiting on a lady.
I'm just waiting on a friend.
I'm just waiting on a friend, just waiting on a friend.
I'm just waiting on a friend, just waiting on a friend.

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in Dartford in 1962. The earliest settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (keyboards, piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums). Since Wyman's retirement in 1993, the band's full members have been Jagger, Richards, Watts and guitarist Ronnie Wood who joined in 1975. Darryl Jones (bassist) and Chuck Leavell (keyboardist) are regular contributors but not full band members. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted the Rolling Stones in 1989, noting that "critical acclaim and popular consensus has accorded them the title of the “World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.”Rolling Stone magazine ranked them 4… more »

26 fans

Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Composition
"Waiting on a Friend" was not specifically written for any Rolling Stones album. Its creation spanned over a decade, as parts of the song were written and recorded in different periods.
Session Players
The saxophone solo on "Waiting on a Friend" was played by jazz musician Sonny Rollins. His contribution added a unique sound to the track.
Initial Recording
The song was first recorded between 1969 and 1970 during the sessions for the album “Sticky Fingers.” However, it took 11 years to finally be released on an album.
Vocals and Lyrics
Mick Jagger added vocals and lyrics to the song in 1981. The lyrics reflect the importance of friendship over romantic relationships, which was considered unusual for a Rolling Stones song.
Album Release
"Waiting on a Friend" was one of the tracks on The Rolling Stones' 1981 album "Tattoo You," despite part of it being recorded way back in 1969.
Music Video
The music video of the song featured Jagger waiting outside a building in New York for his friend Keith Richards. The video was shot at St. Mark’s Place in East Village and it's the band's first non-performance video.
Chart Performance
"Waiting on a Friend" peaked at No. 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 50 in the UK Singles Chart, proving to be quite successful for the band.
Collaborations
Jazz pianist Nicky Hopkins, who was a regular collaborator with The Rolling Stones, performed the piano part on ‘Waiting on a Friend’.
Cinematic Connection
The staircase that Mick Jagger sits on while singing in the music video of "Waiting on a Friend" is the same building used in the cover of Led Zeppelin's album "Physical Graffiti."
Jagger's Opinion
Mick Jagger once stated in an interview that "Waiting On a Friend" was not a ballad or a love song, but was about the relationships within the band at the time.

Discuss the Waiting on a Friend Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Waiting on a Friend Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/28633572/The+Rolling+Stones/Waiting+on+a+Friend>.

    Missing lyrics by The Rolling Stones?

    Know any other songs by The Rolling Stones? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Waiting on a Friend

    23.5M
    99,928     4,614

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1982

    Billboard #13


    more tracks from the album

    GRRR!

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "Drop the pilot, try my balloon. Drop the monkey, smell my ________."
    A legroom
    B perfume
    C mushroom
    D kaboom

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss The Rolling Stones's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    The Rolling Stones tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Waiting on a Friend

    »