Wait (song)

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Album This song officially appears on the Rubber Soul (UK Mono) LP.

Timeline This song has been officially released in 1965

Wah Wah

Wait In The Dark

Master release

Rubber Soul

By The Beatles

Related sessions

This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions

"Help!" Session #17

Jun 17, 1965

"Help!" Session #18

Jun 18, 1965

"Rubber Soul" Session #15

Nov 11, 1965

"Rubber Soul" Session #16

Nov 15, 1965

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Song facts

From Wikipedia:

“Wait” is a song recorded by the Beatles, from their 1965 album Rubber Soul. The songwriting credit is Lennon–McCartney, and the song is usually said to be a joint effort between the two, although in the 1997 book, Many Years from Now, McCartney recalls it as entirely his. This is supported by a 1970 interview with John Lennon by Ray Connolly. John could not remember writing it. “That must be one of Paul’s,” he said. The middle eight section is similar to Autumn Leaves (1945 song) (one example being the line “I know that you” matches “old winter’s song” from Autumn Leaves).

Origin and recording

The song was originally recorded for Help! in June 1965 but did not make the final pressing. When Rubber Soul fell one song short for a Christmas release, “Wait” was brought back. Overdubs were added to the initial recording so it would blend in better with the other, more recent songs on Rubber Soul.

The lyrics, describing the singer’s anxieties about his relationship with his girlfriend while he is away, are thematically similar to several other Lennon–McCartney songs, such as “When I Get Home” and “Things We Said Today,” written during the period of 1964 and 1965. The vocals on the verse are shared between Lennon and McCartney, and McCartney sings the two middle eight sections. Instrumentally, the most memorable feature of “Wait” is George Harrison’s tone pedal guitar.

Paul McCartney in Many Years From Now, by Barry Miles:

[Actor Brandon de Wilde] was a nice guy who was fascinated by what we did. A sort of Brat Pack actor. We chatted endlessly, and I seem to remember writing Wait in front of him, and him being interested to see it being written. I think it was my song. I don’t remember John collaborating too much on it, although he could have.

From The Usenet Guide to Beatles Recording Variations:

[a] mono 15 Nov 1965.
UK: Parlophone PMC 1267 Rubber Soul 1965.
US: Capitol T 2442 Rubber Soul 1965.

[b] stereo 15 Nov 1965.
UK: Parlophone PCS 3075 Rubber Soul 1965.
US: Capitol ST 2442 Rubber Soul 1965.

[c] stereo 1987.
CD: EMI CDP 7 46440 2 Rubber Soul 1987.

Last updated on March 25, 2016

Lyrics

It's been a long time
Now I'm coming back home
I've been away now
Oh how I've been alone
Wait till I come back to your side
We'll forget the tears we've cried

But if your heart breaks
Don't wait, turn me away
And if your heart's strong
Hold on, I won't delay
Wait till I come back to your side
We'll forget the tears we've cried

I feel as though
You ought to know
That I've been good
As good as I can be
And if you do
I'll trust in you
And know that you
Will wait for me

It's been a long time
Now I'm coming back home
I've been away now
Oh how I've been alone
Wait till I come back to your side
We'll forget the tears we've cried

I feel as though
You ought to know
That I've been good
As good as I can be
And if you do
I'll trust in you
And know that you
Will wait for me

But if your heart breaks
Don't wait, turn me away
And if your heart's strong
Hold on, I won't delay
Wait till I come back to your side
We'll forget the tears we've cried

It's been a long time
Now I'm coming back home
I've been away now
Oh, how I've been alone