Watching girls 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

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
I'm just waiting on a friend

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah

Don't need a whore
I 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
Waiting on a friend
I'm just waiting on a friend
I'm just waiting on a friend, waiting on a friend

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah


Lyrics submitted by spliphstar

Waiting On A Friend Lyrics as written by Mick Jagger Keith Richards

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Waiting On A Friend song meanings
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23 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    To me there's always been two ways of interpreting this song.

    1. The most obvious is that it's a tribute to Keith. The singer is at the stage in his life where he actually realizes that the "love of his live" isn't all the jetset-ladies or the groupies he's been hanging out with up til now, it's the man playing guitar in his band.
    2. To say that Mick Jagger's lyrics always been a bit sexistic would be a rather big understatement. That's why I like to think that the song is about a man that finally realize that women can be something else then sexpartners. So he's not waiting for something he can screw, he's waiting for something he can hang out with. But knowing anything about Sir Mick tells you that the last alternative is probably out of the question. Well anyways, a remarkable song that just creates a mood so inviting that you just wanna wrap yourself in it.
    erik.yefengon November 07, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I always thought it was about a couple who broke up and they were meeting somewere and he is not over her yet. he's trying to convince himself they are just friends now

    tweek420on September 09, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song says it all...sometimes after many relationships, the hurt and pain, the arguments...it's just nice to be waiting on a friend, be it a female or a male.

    rockinmozarton October 12, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    He's not looking for a woman, you know a whore, a girlfriend, etc. He just feels better sometimes to be with a friend that will listen to his problems.

    sgtpepperon December 12, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Only 2 posts for this song? This song is absolutely beautiful. The sax part of the song is phenominal, does anyone know of any other Stones songs where there is a lot of sax. I'm thinking Can't You Hear me Knocking does as well.

    Snatch518on April 15, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Not your typical Stones song for sure. Very vulnerable and honest words from the weary singer of the song.

    That is Sonny Rollins playing the great saxaphone at the end.

    bazmegon February 12, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is a great song, and I completely disagree with kfe2.

    Spudgunon February 16, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    For fuck's sake kfe2, not all songs are about smack, you know...

    alfiebabyon May 05, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song is pure fucking great. the sax really inspires it to pull of different tricks and then when that falsetto voice comes in (doo doo doo...etc.) that's what the song is right there yeah right there definately

    heyjude55on May 19, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Sounds like me right now. Brilliant song.

    Ludeyon July 06, 2006   Link

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