Fan reviews/comments

WHY ARE YOU WAITING
(Words and Music by Rick Springfield)
 
What can I do I'm at the door
I've tried turning back there's no point in that now
What should I say, what should I do
Should I fix my hair oh why am I scared now, now

Facing the world is so hard 
do you know what I mean
People are so often hard 
and far too ready to say...hey...ohhh

Why Are You Waiting?
Why Are You Waiting?
Why Are You Waiting?
What if I fail (you won't fail)
Why Are You Waiting?
What if I fail (you won't fail, you won't fail)

Look at me stand outside the door
Like a frightened child with a nervous Smile see
What should I do, what should I say
Should I speak at all 
Am I much too small now

Facing the world is so hard 
do you know what I mean
People are so often hard 
and far too ready to say...hey...ohhh

Why Are You Waiting?
Why Are You Waiting?
Why Are You Waiting?
What if I fail (you won't fail)
Why Are You Waiting?
What if I fail (you won't fail)
Why Are You Waiting?
What if I fail (you won't fail, you won't fail, you won't fail)

Why Are You Waiting?
Why Are You Waiting?
Why Are You Waiting?
What if I fail (you won't fail)
Why Are You Waiting?
What if I fail (you won't fail)
Why Are You Waiting?
What if I fail (you won't fail, you won't fail, you won't fail)

(total playing time: 4:00)

Song Facts: This can be found on Comic Book Heroes.


MORE FAN REVIEWS
 
A very powerful song. The music is just as powerful as the lyrics. You can hear  and feel the struggle and desperation in his voice too. He just attacks this one and it's great!

I feel like this song was a struggle within himself. Like he was questioning himself and answering himself.

It is like this is the time in his life when he was deciding whether he should just go for it and throw everything he had into making it (coming to America) or to take another road. All of the uncertainty, self doubt and fear. It's like he knew he had it in him. "Why are you waiting?.... You won't fail." but there were still all of the insecurities that he has always said he felt and fought. "What if I fail?" I think he already knew his course. "What can I do I'm at the door. I've tried turning back there's no point in that now." The fear and uncertainty just reared up.

I just have to assume that this one is autobiographical.  I think it is totally exhibiting Rick’s fear of entering the big world of the music industry. Entering the door to a record executive or the imaginary door of fame. Wanting to go forward but wanting to turn and run for your life because the fear of failing is so overwhelming. Fortunately, he walked through that door and we all have been blessed with many years of Rick Springfield. I love the guitar at about 2:45 in the song--The hands of a genius at work.

 

The pace of the music starting off the song reminds me of someone in a panic, with their mind racing, which seems to reflect the words and the mood of the song.   This song seems to be about Rick facing his chance of fame/success and being afraid to take the step.  Maybe the step of moving to America, or leaving Zoot and going solo.  For some reason it reminds me of a child standing on a diving board, but afraid to jump in and everyone is telling him to jump, but he's afraid, and of course it's so easy for everyone to yell at him to jump, because they aren't the ones jumping.

I don't like this song.....and I have been listening to it while driving in the car ...because I swear my blood pressure rises just when I hear the opening music. I assume it was meant to cause that reaction in the listener and it certainly fits the lyrics perfectly. It just drives me nuts ands makes me want to speed through red lights (hey, perhaps this could be a possible defense if I ever get pulled over???  hee hee). 

I agree with others who have posted that the lyrics address a turning point in Rick's career. He had to make a difficult decision at one point and this song expressed his anxiety over it.  

Instead of the child standing on the diving board (excellent visual by the way) I always see a distraught Rick (which I know happened later in his career) standing on a ledge wondering if he should jump or not.  It disturbs me!!!  And I know it does not exactly go with the screaming "what if I fail?"  But this is what comes to mind.  It seems like such a desperate song to me and the music does fit it perfectly, I just don't like the panic tone of it.


I must start by saying, this whole album knocked me off my feet! I didn't give this album a chance when I first got my hands on it in '83. My ear was totally tuned into Rick's 80's music---WCD & SHSMY. These were the first of Rick's music I had discovered, so I found it impossible to listen to stuff from the early 70's. Now that I'm older and enjoy exploring all things in music, I am finding an appreciation for this incredible classic rock album.

I LOVE this song, even though it has received some mixed reviews. It just grabs me and pulls me in. It's almost hard to explain. At times, I can totally relate to his feelings of insecurity and doubt.
The ominous feel of the opening music is perfect, reminding me of the background music in a thriller movie, and it gives the listener a feeling of anxiousness. What a great way to start this song! I imagine that was Rick's intention, for us to feel his sense of fear and doubt. Well, he certainly created that feeling in this song. I just love how he puts these emotions out on the table. The indecisiveness of the lyrics, "what should I say? what should I do?," sound like he's questioning whether or not to plunge into the sometimes cruel world of the music business. Other great lines---"people are so often hard," and "facing the world is so hard, do you know what I mean?" Yes, many of us do know what he means.

The background voices are awesome. "Why are you waiting?"---It's as if he were pressured or encouraged by friends, family and colleagues to take that step (often a blind step) and follow his dreams. OR, is it his own inner voices, questioning his delay? And what about the voices of optimism (or possibly voices of comfort and reassurance) that so abruptly come in (sounding adamant maybe), almost before he finishes the word fail and says "you won't fail." Whether it's meant to be the persistence of those who had total faith in his decisions, or that inner voice, I think it's cool to interpret the song with different meanings.

Interesting how Rick's writing was reflecting double meanings from so early on in his career. I adore his talent for doing that with his lyrics.
 
Some of my favorite parts in this song would have to be the guitar solo half way through and then the way it builds back up into somewhat of a frenzy again. Also, the best part, the very thing that has hooked me with this song, are the sounds of desperation in Rick's voice. It's simply beautiful, in a strange kind of way. I really like the uncertainty as he sings, "what if I fail?," especially the last few times he says it, as if it's his last and final plea for reassurance. How many people can relate to that feeling?! I know I can. The raw emotion in his voice is a major aspect in my opinion. It only adds to the anxiety of the music. This will surely remain a favorite of mine. When I'm at my wits end and feeling that people and the world are hard to deal with, I know I can play this song and somehow find some comfort.