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“13 Great Songs Totally Worth the ‘Wait’” features music courtesy of Gnash, H.E.R., Lord Huron, Maroon 5, and Solange among others.

Sometimes, we have to be patient and ‘wait’ for things.  It can be arduous, but often after waiting, we find out that what we were waiting for was TOTALLY WORTH THE WAIT.  Does anybody see where I’m going here? This latest, greatest playlist encompasses 13 Great Songs Totally Worth the ‘Wait.’ Simple right? Right.  Musicians providing the tunes for this simple, rather straightforward list include Gnash (“Wait”), H.E.R. ( “Wait for It”), Lord Huron (“Wait by the River”), Maroon 5 (“Wait”), and Solange ( “Don’t You Wait”) among others.

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1. Gnash, “Wait”

We • :): / Atlantic • 2019

“I thought we were somethin’, baby / Are we, or are we nothin’, baby? / ‘Cause yesterday was so chill and wavy / Today, you called me fucking crazy / That was so unnecessary…” Rising, twenty-something California alternative musician Gnash (Garret Nash), best known for his mega-hit “I hate u, I love u”, released a promising debut album entitled We in 2019.  Though “Wait” marked one of the shorter moments from We, it also ranks among the sweeter moments.  Here, Gnash only graces the listeners with one verse, but it’s emotional, contextually finding the musician in his feelings once again.

“Will you wait, wait on me?

This weight on me is weighing me

Down, down, down, down we go

And all I know is I’m to blame

So, will you wait?”

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2. Yellow Claw, “Waiting”

Ft. Rochelle

New Blood • Barong Family • 2018

Dutch producer/DJ duo Yellow Claw (Jim Taihuttu and Nils Rondhuis) are known for “bass-heavy productions and riotous performances.” The duo remained busy in 2018, dropping hot single after single, finally releasing their third studio album, New Blood, in all its electronic glory. Initially Yellow Claw slackens the pace on highlight “Waiting”, but keeps the energy fully intact.  The production compels, beginning with a stunning, lush accompanying pad. Dutch singer Rochelle sings beautifully and expressively over this backdrop, before the record’s transformation begins on the chorus.  Naturally, she grows more assertive.

The lyrics of the chorus correspond to the looming transformation: “I’m ready for your love / I’ve been waiting and waiting…” The rhythm intensifies, leading into the break section that’s dominated by a biting, hard-nosed synth.

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3. Lord Huron, “Wait by the River”

Vide Noir • Republic • 2018

“I will wait by the river / In the light of the moon / At the edge of the city / I will wait for you.” Alternative collective Lord Huron (led by Ben Schneider) returned in 2018 with its first new studio album in three years, Vide Noir. Stunning third single “Wait by the River” features a prominent bass line early-on, exhibiting old-school vibes.  After an air of mysteriousness complementing the robust bass line, the full-fledged soulfulness kicks in, including a marvelous upper register piano ostinato straight from the vintage bag of tricks. Schneider provides the “the cherry on top” with his cool, yet potent vocals.

“If I can’t change the weather

Maybe I can change your mind

If we can’t be together

What’s the point of life?”

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4. H.E.R., “Wait for It”

H.E.R. • RCA • 2017

“It’s late at night, and babe / I ain’t get dressed for nothin’ / I ain’t put on this dress for nothin’ / So I’m comin’, baby.” Sigh, the vibes are real on the brief “Wait for It,” the 18^th track on H.E.R., the Grammy-nominated, self-titled album by contemporary R&B artist H.E.R.  From the beginning of “Wait for It,” it’s a sensually-charged, moody record.  The tempo is quite slow, and H.E.R. sings in her sultry, lower register.

The chorus is simple and repetitive, yet arguably the crowning achievement of “Wait for It.”

“Wait for it, wait for it, wait for it, yeah

I’ma need for you to wait for it, wait for it, wait for it

Baby can you wait for it, wait for it, wait for it?

Baby can you wait for it? Wait for it

Can you?”

 

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5. Rex Orange County, “Waiting Room”

Apricot Princess • Rex Orange County • 2017

“And if it looks like God might judge me / Then I don’t even wanna stay another day / ‘Cause if he’s the one, then who am I? / He calls the shots / And he always decides.”  British singer/songwriter Rex Orange County (Alex O’Connor) showcased superb musicianship far transcendent beyond his age on the brilliant Apricot Princess. On the record on hand, “Waiting Room,” O’Connor’s honesty is appreciated.

 

“Our family reunion

I’d rather be anywhere but here

It’s like a pain you should ignore

But my uncle’s here to open the door and I don’t like him

This family reunion

I felt so uncomfortable, I left.”   

Yes, the aforementioned is youthful – teenage to the core – but who hasn’t experienced such feelings? There’s a clear charm.  “Waiting Room” goes beyond family reunions.  He explores love and also God, specifically his omniscience and the final judgement (excerpted in the opening paragraph of this blurb).  Certainly, a deep, thoughtful record.

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6. Maroon 5, “Wait”

Red Pill Blues • Interscope • 2017

Question: “Wait, can you turn around, can you turn around?” Another question: “Just wait, can you come here please?” On their 2017 album Red Pill Blues, Adam Levine and Maroon 5 continued buying into modern pop tends. The slickly produced, big pop album’ was imperfect – that’s not debatable. Still, Red Pill Blues had a few highlights, such as “Best 4 U,” “What Lovers Do,” and “Lips on You.” “Wait” was released as a single in 2018. Although “Wait” misses the classification as a ‘gem’ from Red Pill Blues, the single possesses some weight you might say. If nothing more, it’s a pleasant, slick, electro-pop, urban contemporary record.  “Wait” is good, inoffensive, and respectable, if bit on the ‘light’ side. Ultimately, there’s little substance that takes “Wait” to the next level, but it’s sufficient.

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7. Solange, “Don’t You Wait”

A Seat at the Table • Columbia • 2016

“You made my bed, dealt with it when the lights went out / Now looking back for temporary nothings / But I bet on it, you’ll all be here when the lights come out / Still looking for nothing.” Grammy-winning R&B artist Solange delivered a home run on her 2016 album, A Seat at the Table. What makes Seat the gem that it is? It encompasses feelings, attitudes, and reality for black men and women – it’s truly a socially-conscious gem. On the song at hand, “Don’t You Wait,” Solange embraces her race continuing to be outspoken in her views.  If she was angry on an earlier highlight, “Mad,” she’s still angry here, but unafraid to show her pride in being black.

“No, I don’t want to bite the hand that’ll show me the other side, no

But I didn’t want to build the land that has fed you your whole life, no

Don’t you find it funny?”

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8. Nathan Sykes, “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait”

Unfinished Business • Global Entertainment / Def Jam • 2016

“That’s why I take my time / Take as long as I got / Won’t pretend to be somebody I’m not, no / Good things come to those who wait…” In 2016, Nathan Sykes, the youngest member of former boy band, The Wanted, released his debut solo album, Unfinished Business. He kicks off Unfinished Business with a bang thanks to “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait.”  Commencing with a vocal pad and a heavy, buttressing kick drum, it fuels Sykes’ fire for sure. Throughout the course of Unfinished Business, Sykes showcases his elite vocal abilities.  On “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait” specifically, he shows off mad, soulful pipes consistently.

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9. Usher, “Wait for It”

The Hamilton Mixtape • Atlantic • 2016

“Love doesn’t discriminate / Between the sinners / And the saints / It takes, and it takes and it takes.” On The Hamilton Mixtape, Grammy-winning contemporary R&B artist Usher was tasked with covering “Wait for It” from Hamilton, which was originally performed by Leslie Odom, Jr.  Much like the original, Usher initially sings in an undertone, in his lower register. His tone is beautiful, even though it should be noted that this particular portion of the song best suits Odom, Jr. Usher ascends into his upper register, sparingly on the chorus, naturally excelling there. On the bridge, he’s able to sing comfortably in his mid-/upper register, sounding more powerful.

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10. Jill Scott, “Can’t Wait”

Woman • Atlantic • 2015

“(Can’t wait to be loved by you) I can’t wait baby / (Can’t wait to be loved by you) I’ve been working so hard and so long…”  Sigh, Grammy-winner Jill Scott is a queen, and that’s indisputable.  Like all of her albums, Scott ‘put in work’ on her fifth studio album, Woman, released in 2015.  Always soulful, she added a little extra soulfulness on the neo-soul, traditional-styled R&B gem, “Can’t Wait.” Basically, after a hard day’s work (“But sugar, I’m the boss lady / Busy handling and managing”), Jill is looking for some sweet loving (see the aforementioned excerpt from the chorus).  So, what is it that Scott can’t wait for? Use your imagination…

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11. The Black Keys, “Waiting on Words”

Turn Blue • Nonesuch • 2014

“Oh goodbye / I heard you were leaving / Won’t try changing your mind / Goodbye, don’t know where you’re going / The only think I really know / My love for you is real.” Turn Blue, the eighth studio album by alternative rock duo The Black Keys, is an effort that is fueled in the concept of a dysfunctional, messed up relationship.  While Turn Blue isn’t the crowning achievement of The Black Keys’ discography, it is another solid addition. The tone and overall concept work without a hitch.  The song at hand, “Waiting on Words,” finds singer Dan Auerbach exhibiting a smoother tone of voice, conveying ‘leaving’ yet leaving the slightest sliver of hope.  The aforementioned lyrical excerpt is a perfect example of this lyrical sentiment.

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12. Kings of Leon, “Wait for Me”

Mechanical Bull • RCA • 2013

Within the context of Mechanical Bull, the sixth studio album by American southern rock band Kings of Leon, “Wait for Me” arrives in the nick of time.  Why? It provides atonement for any ceded momentum prior.  “Wait for Me” is certainly not ‘new’ Kings of Leon by any means, but well-conceived, familiar territory.  Moderate in tempo and open to multiple interpretations, “Wait for Me” seems to be a plea to its audience to ‘wait’ and not ‘give up’ despite the past, problems, so on and so forth.

The chorus is simple, finding the band not over thinking by any means:

“Wait for me, wait for me

It’s all better now, it’s all better now

Wait for me, wait for me.”

 “Wait for Me” easily ranks among the top echelon of Mechanical Bull.

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13. Ying Yang Twins, “Wait (The Whisper Song)”

U.S.A. – United State of Atlanta • The Orchard • 2005

“Hey, how you doin’ lil mama let me whisper in ya ear / Tell ya somethin’ that you might like to hear / Got a sexy-ass body and ya ass look soft / Mind if I touch it to see if it’s soft.” Ah, we close out this ‘wait-worthy’ playlist with a classic – Ying Yang Twins’ “Wait (The Whisper Song).” Yes, “Wait (The Whisper Song)” is one of the filthier southern rap songs you’ll ever hear.  That said, it’s also among the most infectious and memorable.  Why? The minimal production work, the whispered-rhymes, and honestly, a heaping dose of filth.

Case in point – the hook!

“Hey bitch, wait ‘til you see my dick

Wait til you see my dick

Hey bitch wait til you see my dick

I’m a beat that pussy up.”

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Photo Credits: Atlantic, Barong, Columbia, Def Jam, Global Entertainment, Interscope, Nonesuch, The Orchard, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Republic, Rex Orange County

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