Lyrics for Waiting on the World to Change as interpreted by RichieVai

Waiting on the World to Change Lyrics
me and all my friends
we're all misunderstood
they say we stand for nothing and
there's no way we ever could

now we see everything that's going wrong
with the world and those who lead it
we just feel like we don't have the means
to rise above and beat it

so we keep waiting
waiting on the world to change
we keep on waiting
waiting on the world to change

it's hard to beat the system
when we're standing at a distance
so we keep waiting
waiting on the world to change

now if we had the power
to bring our neighbors home from war
they would have never missed a Christmas
no more ribbons on their door
and when you trust your television
what you get is what you got
cause when they own the information, oh
they can bend it all they want

that's why we're waiting
waiting on the world to change
we keep on waiting
waiting on the world to change

it's not that we don't care,
we just know that the fight ain't fair
so we keep on waiting
waiting on the world to change



and we're still waiting
waiting on the world to change
we keep on waiting waiting on the world to change
one day our generation
is gonna rule the population
so we keep on waiting
waiting on the world to change

we keep on waiting
waiting on the world to change

Interaction
Mail to a friend Send Lyrics to a Friend
Share on Facebook

Stumble It
Add to Del.icio.us Add to Del.icio.us




  • 58 Comments
  • Printer Friendly Lyrics
oldest first     Expand All
Crzy
06-22-2006

Rated -1 
no comments yet?
good song

Log in to reply
Hatendency
06-24-2006

Rated -1 
musically this song sounds great and i can't wait to hear the rest of continuum out of the studio, but i hope John Mayer doesn't delve much into a political view either way. it tends to make music annoying and distracts me from a good song much like Green Day did for me. I'm not saying i don't agree with anything he's saying cause some of it i do, i just hope it's not a whole CD dedicated to the whinings of, perhaps, famous people; which from what i know it's not at all. once again, great song but these types of songs take chances and can alienate some of his fans, still a universally great message about abuse of power and the citizens role in that government. Reminds me of Jimi Hendrix and i think he wanted this song to do that, he's been going towards that route more and more lately. While Jimi talked about war and how it's useless so does this song i believe. I suppose it's a better song if you agree with him, but if you don't it kind of leaves an awkward feeling because you like the song just not everything he says. Anyways good song overall.

Log in to reply
fireplace
06-24-2006

Rated -1 
this is so good. i love him.

Log in to reply
boltau
06-28-2006

Rated -1 
In a recent interview, Mayer said he doesn't consider himslef a political songwriter. "I'm only a lifestyle artist," he says. "I know I use the word 'war,' but I kind of feel like it's part of the vocabulary now of just being a person. War is everywhere now."

Still, Mayer admits the single -- from his forthcoming album 'Continuum,' due Sept. 12 -- may "rankle some": "The song doesn't offer a solution," he explains. But he says he doesn't want to be one of those artists who tell people what to think.

"I just have to be very careful with my words, because I think I know the difference between offering people an emotional observation and my opinion," Mayer says. "My opinion is worth nothing. My emotional observation is worth everything. I want to be able to keep that trust to at least get people to think. All you have to do is think -- we'll talk about it later."

Log in to reply
boltau
06-28-2006

Rated 0 
My opinion of it is I'm glad to see how much he's matured lyrically over the past 5 years. He doesn't have to tell anyone what to think, but hopefully, like he said, he'll get them TO think about these issues.

He did say before playing an acoustic version of the song that the reason its called WAITING on the world to change is bc he doesnt feel like he or anyone else can do anything about it (we just feel like we don't have the means/ to rise above and beat it). It's because the rules keep changing. He said people wonder why there used to be so many change songs. He says the reason for that is peoples minds didnt used to be so defensive to new ideas.

His analogy was the Bush is like that kid up the street you used to play cops and robbers with. But everytime you shot him, he all of a sudden became bulletproof.

The best line is "when you trust your television/what you get is what you got/ cuz when the own the information oh/ they can bend it all they want".
*Cough*- FOX NEWS -*Cough*

Log in to reply
1 Reply
Hatendency
07-02-2006

Rated 0 
Well i'm glad you gave us that information boltau, but i must ask because i'm curious, what interview was that? cause i try to keep updated with him and his public songs or interviews.
But to comment on maturity, yes i definately think he's matured over the years although i must say his old stuff is simple wisdom beyond his years in my view; though presented in a universal way which may result in people thinking it's naive.
Also, i don't think it's a Bush bashing song, at least it's not directly. He talks in generallities about war and abuse of power, which is important no matter what political view you hold to. Yes, even my conservative friends need to question everything. i like the line "Now if we had the power to bring our neighbors home from war, they would've never missed a Christmas; no more ribbons on their door." i don't think that many people love war, not even ones who support this war or any other (believe it or not).
But to comment on the fox news cheap shot, do you really believe the government controls it? and if they do no one is forcing anyone to watch it; there are tons of other choices some different and some completely different. Wheres the facts? i think it's best to view more than one news source and not eat every word they say. But yeah, Fox news bashing is old and simply a retalliation to their success and/or their view because it's different to previous news leaders. Making wild statements and treating them as fact when it's just your opinion and doesn't sway anyone (though it may get them curious).
More relevent, this song is really good and i think John is taking his time and perfecting each song. He said in an interview on Sound Off with Matt Pinfield (11/6/05), "My mission statement is no filler." "every moment in this record is either gonna have a lyrical thing, or a melodic thing, or a guitar playing thing, or a rhythmic thing. But it's never going to just go by."

Log in to reply
Hatendency
07-02-2006

Rated 0 
Well i'm glad you gave us that information boltau, but i must ask because i'm curious, what interview was that? cause i try to keep updated with him and his public songs or interviews.
But to comment on maturity, yes i definately think he's matured over the years although i must say his old stuff is simple wisdom beyond his years in my view; though presented in a universal way which may result in people thinking it's naive.
Also, i don't think it's a Bush bashing song, at least it's not directly. He talks in generallities about war and abuse of power, which is important no matter what political view you hold to. Yes, even my conservative friends need to question everything. i like the line "Now if we had the power to bring our neighbors home from war, they would've never missed a Christmas; no more ribbons on their door." i don't think that many people love war, not even ones who support this war or any other (believe it or not).
But to comment on the fox news cheap shot, do you really believe the government controls it? and if they do no one is forcing anyone to watch it; there are tons of other choices some different and some completely different. Wheres the facts? i think it's best to view more than one news source and not eat every word they say. But yeah, Fox news bashing is old and simply a retalliation to their success and/or their view because it's different to previous news leaders. Making wild statements and treating them as fact when it's just your opinion and doesn't sway anyone (though it may get them curious).
More relevent, this song is really good and i think John is taking his time and perfecting each song. He said in an interview on Sound Off with Matt Pinfield (11/6/05), "My mission statement is no filler." "every moment in this record is either gonna have a lyrical thing, or a melodic thing, or a guitar playing thing, or a rhythmic thing. But it's never going to just go by."

Log in to reply
pippilotta
07-07-2006

Rated 0 
there interview is here - http://www.aolmusicnewsblog.com/2006/06/26/john-mayer-goes-to-war-on-new-single/

Log in to reply
pippilotta
07-07-2006

Rated 0 
(cont)
o-war-on-new-single/

Log in to reply
napasah
07-07-2006

Rated 0 
I like the song.

But waiting, that's the problem with the world.

Log in to reply
walt2891
07-11-2006

Rated 0 
John did it again! Nice song with a message that just makes you think about the issue rather than debate a solution which is his poiint I think. Got to love the heart in his lyrics!

Log in to reply
stoolhardy
07-26-2006

Rated 0 
"We keep on waiting on the world to change."

Is that kind of like "I'd love to change the world, but I don't know what to do"?

Log in to reply
Navychick22
07-27-2006

Rated 0 
terrific lyrics.
but everyone is waiting and you cant count on the world to change on its own.
trying to tell you to take things into your own hands?
dunno.

Log in to reply
dmbartender
07-30-2006

Rated 0 
everyone has to give credit to john mayer...he took a lot of flack early in his career for being too pop, selling out despite his talent and training. I've always liked jm, just cause of his guitar work...its simply amazing. I told all of my friends 4 or 5 years ago that when all is said and done, john mayer might be the best singer/songwriter of our generation. with songs like this, gravity, and daughters, its hard to believe that that isn't going to be the case. plus, he's got clapton like skills on his guitar. so much emotion comes out of his mouth and fingers.

Log in to reply
dmbartender
07-30-2006

Rated 0 
this song is going to be big in the fall during elections...anthem for the youth voters.

Log in to reply
woobin
08-07-2006

Rated 0 
the message is pretty good, i know that feeling about wanting to do big things but feeling like you have no power..ah to be young.

but this just sounds so upbeat. it contradicts the lyrics slightly. it's just happy and chill. good driving music. although i don't know if that term does it justice..

anyway, brilliant song. john mayer seems like a really smart guy in his interviews, and not annoying and pretentious. i like that he doesn't want to tell people what to do. i think we have enough people doing that.

Log in to reply
stoolhardy
08-10-2006

Rated 0 
We keep on waiting (waiting), waiting on the album to arrive in stores!

Log in to reply
bad obsession
08-16-2006

Rated 0 
The first time I heard this song I was really impressed…I was in a car and couldn’t really hear the lyrics, but I remember thinking that john mayer had gotten more bluesy
But after the second listen I really listened to the music…and this is one of the most amazing songs I’ve heard in a long time.
You can say that a songwriter shouldn’t get political, but what could possibly be more important to your life? Waiting on the world to change has amazing social commentary…I took it as more of a call to action than anything…WE NEED TO STOP WAITING AND DO SOMETHING!
Mayer is saying that a lot of people in this country, the youth in particular, feels powerless to do anything about the state of the world…which is funny, because I thought “democracy” was supposed to be empowering. “If we had the power to bring our neighbors home from war…” but we don’t...not through the process of contacting our senators…civil disobedience is the only thing that could do it…and we keep on waiting, rather than coming together and doing something about it…

Baltou was absolutely right in saying, “The best line is "when you trust your television/what you get is what you got/ cuz when the own the information oh/ they can bend it all they want".
*Cough*- FOX NEWS -*Cough*”
But its more than FOX NEWS…it’s ALL mainstream media…

And Hatendency, when you commented on Baltou “But to comment on the fox news cheap shot, do you really believe the government controls it? and if they do no one is forcing anyone to watch it; there are tons of other choices some different and some completely different. Wheres the facts? i think it's best to view more than one news source and not eat every word they say. But yeah, Fox news bashing is old and simply a retalliation to their success and/or their view because it's different to previous news leaders. Making wild statements and treating them as fact when it's just your opinion and doesn't sway anyone (though it may get them curious).”

While the government may not “control” FOX NEWS…I find it rather coincidental that the new White House Press Secretary was hired out of his job as a FOX NEWS correspondent…could it be kind of a “you scratch our back and we’ll scratch yours” thing for Fox News?...just a thought

Anyway…what the world (or at least the country) needs is another 60s…here’s hoping
I wonder if Mayer would play another Woodstock…but not like the one in 99’…like the original

Log in to reply
schitzo15
09-24-2006

Rated 0 
Reminds me personally of nirvana's 'smells like teen spirit'... even though this song obv isn't as good. Cobain was the voice of my generation back then, and he was saying the same as Mayer is here.

The line 'oh well, whatever, nevermind' seems to be a great line to sum up both songs.... knowing that things ain't right, but also feeling that the effort to do something about it is more overpowering than the feeling itself.

But then maybe it's just me... lol

Also, hoping this song isn't gonna do JM what American Idiot did to Green Day, and turn him into a new toy for all the little kids....

Log in to reply
carcrash
09-26-2006

Rated 0 
who hasn't felt like this over the past several years? i've been known to be very outspoken when it comes to politics and war-issues, and i often find myself thinking, 'well, you have all these ideas and opinions, but what are you doing with them?'
it's difficult feeling so useless when you know that if given a chance, you could offer some valuable insight. it's incredibly comforting to know that there are other people feeling the same way. and this song does an amazing job of getting that message out there, instead of trying to offer some seemingly obvious quick-fix for all the world's problems. john has really captured the big picture with this song.

Log in to reply
yankeelove07
10-01-2006

Rated 0 
I think I have a different picture of this song than everyone else. I don't think it's so political, I think it's almost like an anthem for this nation's youth. Young people, (mostly 15-21) have A LOT to say. They're a lot smarter than so many older adults perceive them, and they're just misunderstood. They're not given the opportunity to excel and speak their minds about the world, and yet they're patronized for not doing enough. I think John Mayer's message is really: We're the future of tomorrow, start listening to what we have to say, and until then, we'll be waiting.

Log in to reply
jld_slick
10-03-2006

Rated 0 
screw the message of the song! Here's the real message: John Mayer rips off other artists! This song is not his, he totally stole it and gave himself credit! Try listening to the song 'People Get Ready' by Curtis Mayfield. It's the same thing except with different lyrics! John Mayer is not original at all.

Log in to reply
shejustwantstorock
10-09-2006

Rated 0 
when i first heard this i only got "Waiting on the World to Change" stfu, change yourself. then i heard the "we keep on waiting." we need to stop waiting i think is what he's saying. we all need to just do something. but what...

Log in to reply
shejustwantstorock
10-09-2006

Rated 0 
aah i didnt even hear this part "one day our generation
is gonna rule the population
so we keep on waiting
waiting on the world to change"
basically. about how fucked we are?

Log in to reply
crimsonlotus
10-19-2006

Rated 0 
jld_slick: grow up, just because two people share the same idea doesn't mean one ripped off the other or vice versa.

Log in to reply




  • Add Your Comments
What does this song mean to you?

You must be logged in to post your comments.

Feel free to create an account with us, or log in with your existing account, to start adding your comments to songs.





Popular
Top:   Lyrics, Artists, Albums
Random:   Lyric, Artist, Album

Your Ad Here