what a brilliant friggin song!....the moody fist part, kinda dark and mysterious sounding and that simple & effective guitar picking underneath the vocal.....then the song explodes in yur face with the whole band!...and turns around and repeats the whole process.....great songwriting and arranging....almost deranged in a folky way.....wonder how it would work live?....feedback any stoners?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2005-11-08 01:09 by Leonard Keringer.

This song is off the best Stones album, imho, of all time.

It's not a bad one Leonard. There are others on Aftermath that I like better but it's definitely an alright tune.

I Am Waiting is excellent

So is Flight 505...man, if only they would blow the dust off of that one

I agree once again with you Leonard. What are you my twin Brother? MEZ

IAW is excellent. Like you say the picking is almost a counterp[oint; rhythmically it answers the vocals. "I am waiting" .vs."din din din".
Then the bridge does a VERY 60's Beatles/Stones/Who/kinks kind of turn where it shifts to the minor key. Sometimes they would even change time signature. Eg go to a 6/8 beat and then switch back to 4/4 for the verse proper.
Isn't that a sitar in there too?

Great song on a great album. Some people here seem to think the band began in '69...

If I recall correctly , the song was featured in The Royal Tenenbaums movie... or maybe it was Rushmore. Also "She Smiled Sweetly."

cc

Brian plays the dulcimer to very good effect in this song, with Keith shadowing on acoustic. A simple yet masterful use of arrangement, something the Stones were so great at during the 60's. This song will never be played live because Mick and Co. know it won't go over well with the 'Hot Rocks' masses.

Leonard,

It's one of my favorite early Stones tunes! People talk about Revolver and Rubber Soul being landmark albums. Maybe so,,,but... Aftermath and Buttons leave them in the dust thanks to songs like this one.

Roger

i am waiting is on my short list of great deep cuts.

Great thread for what is perhaps their most underrated song.

Was I Am Waiting in the movie Rushmore? I'm pretty sure it wasn't in the Royal Tennenbaums, but I may be wrong.

I've always thought of that song as brilliant. It's on every post I make on "dream setlists" Great song!

We're talking about an album which every song in it is a small or a large jewel.

It does not contain a single filler

She Smiled Sweetly was in the Royal Tennebalms, but I LOVE THIS SONG and always have. When the Stones were in the middle of their 1972 Tour of America, Dick Cavatt had Mick on for an interview and it was awesome and quite long! I recall they played I AM WAITING in the background and I rediscovered the song at that point. Very clever arranging of tempos, great mood evoked.

Brad F Wrote:
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> Great thread for what is perhaps their most
> underrated song.
>
> Was I Am Waiting in the movie Rushmore? I'm pretty
> sure it wasn't in the Royal Tennenbaums, but I may
> be wrong.


not sure Brad....but i'm pretty sure "ooh La La" by the Faces played during the closing credits of Rushmore

barcelona Wrote:
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> We're talking about an album which every song in
> it is a small or a large jewel.
>
> It does not contain a single filler


correct

What to do is a pretty weak song tho.... The rest of the album is great!

I Am Waiting was in Rushmore

I like "What to Do" -- mick carries the whole song, which is not much of a composition -- but it's an odd closer... I think in 1966 bands were still working out what sort of songs fit where on an album. So it's interesting to have it there.

cc

"I'm Waiting" and "Sitting on a Fence" are both from the same era, both very melodic songs. I'm sorry that there aren't any live versions to hear.

Great song, great refrain, great harmony(Keith). Leonard, thank you for reminding me this one!

KYRIAKOS Wrote:
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> Great song, great refrain, great harmony(Keith).
> Leonard, thank you for reminding me this one!


yur welcome Kyriakos....it's great fun to rediscover Stones gems!....they never get old