Waiting For Somebody by Paul Westerberg

Album: Singles Soundtrack (1992)

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Paul Westerberg is waiting for a true love to walk hand-in-hand with him through a town that's never done anything but spurn and curse him. He might also be thinking about offing himself. In typical Westerberg fashion, there's just enough to hint at that grim motive but not enough to tell us for sure.

"Waiting For Somebody" is an upbeat song with bland lyrics reminiscent of '50s rock and roll ("All my life, waiting for somebody, Ah ha ha, whoa, yeah"), except for one verse:

I drove down deep, I made a big decision
I'm going to sleep and I'm going there alone
I know damn well I'm tired of all this cryin'
On my feet as far as I can tell

The lyrics might sneak by unnoticed if they came from any other artist, but Westerberg's penchant for slipping suicide into songs is well known. He's touched on the subject subtly in tunes such as "Crackle And Drag" and "Can't Hardly Wait." He tackles it overtly with "Self Defense."
Along with "Dyslexic Heart," this song sparked a resurgence in Westerberg's career. Both tunes were on the Singles soundtrack, which introduced him to a new generation of listeners. From 1979 to 1991, he'd been frontman for the alternative-rock-pioneering Replacements. Their heyday stretched from 1984 to 1987 with the releases of Let It Be, Tim, and Pleased to Meet Me - three albums that frequently appear on "best of the '80s" lists. Their influence and critical appeal far outshine their sales.
"Waiting for Somebody" was B-side to the "World Class Fad" single released off Westerberg's debut solo album, 14 Songs, which went live almost exactly one year after Singles (June 15, 1993, versus June 30, 1992).
The line "been down so long, doesn't really matter," harks to The Doors' "Been Down So Long" and Furry Lewis' "I Will Turn Your Money Green," which did it first.

Comments: 2

Brian from Boston, MaPaul Westerberg is one of the most underated song writers of all time.His songs are honest and real. When I think of all the American idol showtune dance "I want to be a star" bulls--t that is music today I realize Paul is the antidote to all that. When I hear his songs I wonder where the hell has rock and roll gone today.
Tony from Sunshine Coast, Qld, AustraliaIn addition to being on the soundtrack of the Cameron Crowe film "Singles", this song also appeared as a B-side to the single "World Class Fad".

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