Waiting on a Friend
"Waiting on a Friend" is a song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and performed by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, serving as the second single from their 1981 album Tattoo You.[1] The track features a laid-back ballad style with prominent acoustic guitar, piano, and a notable tenor saxophone solo, blending rock elements with a reflective tone on companionship.[2] Originally recorded during the November–December 1972 sessions for the band's album Goats Head Soup at Dynamic Sound Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, the song was shelved until overdubs were added in October–December 1980 at the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio in Paris, France, and in April–June 1981 at Atlantic Studios in New York City.[1] Produced by the Glimmer Twins (Jagger and Richards' production pseudonym), it credits engineers Andy Johns and Chris Kimsey.[1] Key personnel include Mick Jagger on lead and background vocals and acoustic guitar, Keith Richards on electric guitar and background vocals, Charlie Watts on drums, Bill Wyman on bass, Nicky Hopkins on piano, and jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins delivering the iconic solo; additional contributions come from Mike Carabello on percussion instruments like congas and guiro.[1][2] Released on November 30, 1981, via Rolling Stones Records, the single peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1982 and reached number 50 on the UK Singles Chart.[3][2] The accompanying music video, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg and filmed in New York City, depicts Jagger wandering the streets before joining bandmates Richards, Ron Wood, and Charlie Watts in a bar, marking one of the group's early appearances on MTV.[2] The song has been a staple in the band's live performances since 1981, including tours in 1997, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2013–2014, often featuring guest musicians like Joshua Redman on saxophone.[1]Background and Development
Album Context
Tattoo You is the sixteenth British and eighteenth American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 24 August 1981 by Rolling Stones Records.[4][5] The album was primarily compiled from outtakes recorded during sessions for previous releases spanning 1972 to 1980, including Goats Head Soup, Black and Blue, Some Girls, and Emotional Rescue.[6] This approach stemmed from a lack of new material following the release of the band's prior studio album, Emotional Rescue, on June 20, 1980.[7] Amid internal tensions following the band's 1980 tour, particularly strained songwriting collaboration between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Tattoo You served as a stopgap measure to meet contractual obligations with their record label while supporting an upcoming major US tour later that year.[8][9] The album achieved significant commercial success, reaching number one on the US Billboard 200 chart for nine weeks and peaking at number two in the UK, where it spent 29 weeks on the Official Albums Chart.[10][11] It has been certified four-times platinum by the RIAA in the United States, reflecting sales of over four million copies, bolstered by hit singles such as "Start Me Up" and "Hang Fire."[10] "Waiting on a Friend" appears as the closing track on Tattoo You, offering a mellow, saxophone-driven ballad that contrasts with the album's more energetic rock-oriented singles.[12]Song Origins
"Waiting on a Friend" was written primarily by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, with Jagger responsible for most of the lyrics.[2] The song originated as an untitled instrumental jam during the Rolling Stones' 1972–1973 recording sessions for their album Goats Head Soup at Dynamic Sounds studio in Kingston, Jamaica.[13] This early version featured a laid-back groove influenced by the reggae rhythms prevalent in Jamaican music at the time, reflecting the band's immersion in the local scene during those sessions.[14] The instrumental track remained lyric-less and was shelved after the Goats Head Soup sessions, as it did not fit the album's final lineup.[2] Jagger added the lyrics nearly a decade later in 1981, drawing inspiration from themes of enduring friendship, which he described as a nod to reliable bonds rather than romantic instability.[13] This choice imbued the song with a mature, introspective tone uncommon for the Rolling Stones, diverging from their more energetic rock anthems and subtly alluding to the interpersonal dynamics within the band during a period of internal strains. Early demo versions of the track lacked the signature saxophone hook, which was introduced during the 1981 overdubs to enhance its melodic flow.[13] The song's relaxed vibe, rooted in the 1972 Jamaica sessions, predates similar stylistic elements in Keith Richards' 1988 solo album Talk Is Cheap, showcasing an early example of the guitarist's affinity for groove-oriented, rootsy rock.Recording and Production
Initial Sessions
The initial recording sessions for "Waiting on a Friend" took place from late November to December 1972 at Dynamic Sounds Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, during the production of the Rolling Stones' album Goats Head Soup.[13][1] These sessions were overseen by producer Jimmy Miller, marking his final collaboration with the band on a studio album.[15][16] The basic track was laid down by the core Rolling Stones lineup, including Mick Jagger on rhythm guitar, Keith Richards on guitar and backing vocals, Mick Taylor on lead guitar, Bill Wyman on bass, and Charlie Watts on drums, with Nicky Hopkins contributing piano.[13][1] The Jamaican setting infused the recording with reggae and soul influences, resulting in a laid-back, jam-session atmosphere characterized by prominent interplay between Hopkins's piano and the guitars.[13][16] No lyrics or lead vocals were added during this period, leaving the piece as an instrumental outtake that was shelved for nearly a decade.[1] These sessions occurred amid the troubled production of Goats Head Soup, hampered by band distractions such as Keith Richards's escalating heroin addiction and mounting legal issues, as well as external pressures including the group's tax exile status that prompted their relocation to Jamaica.[17][18] The fragmented workflow across multiple locations and the band's burnout contributed to a host of unused tracks, with "Waiting on a Friend" among those set aside due to incomplete development.[14][19]Overdubs and Completion
Produced by the Glimmer Twins, overdubs for "Waiting on a Friend" were added in October–December 1980 at the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio in Paris, France, and in April–June 1981 at Atlantic Studios and other facilities in New York City, including The Hit Factory, as part of the patchwork assembly of the album Tattoo You, which drew from archival tracks including the song's basic rhythm section recorded in 1972.[20][4][1] Mick Jagger added his lead vocals during these sessions and finalized the lyrics, while Keith Richards contributed backing vocals and guitar fills to refine the track's texture.[20][4] In April 1981, jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins overdubbed his tenor saxophone solo in a single take, drawing on his improvisational background to create the song's iconic mellow hook that lent a soulful, atmospheric quality.[21][20] Additional percussion, including congas played by Michael Carabello, was layered in to enhance the Latin-inflected soul feel.[4][20] The mixing was handled by Bob Clearmountain and Chris Kimsey, who emphasized the track's warm, enveloping production to position it as the album's closing song.[4][20] The decision to include and complete "Waiting on a Friend" stemmed from Jagger's advocacy to balance Tattoo You's predominantly harder-edged tracks with this more introspective piece.[20][22]Composition
Musical Structure
"Waiting on a Friend" blends soft rock with reggae, soul, and jazz influences, characterized by its laid-back groove and rhythmic subtlety. The song is set in C major at a tempo of approximately 116 beats per minute, contributing to its relaxed, mellow atmosphere.[23][24] The track follows a straightforward verse-chorus structure: an intro leads into verses and choruses, followed by a bridge, an extended saxophone solo, and an outro, with a total runtime of 4:36. This simple form allows for extended instrumental breaks that highlight the song's improvisational elements.[25][26] Key instrumentation includes Keith Richards' clean electric guitar riff, which provides a melodic foundation; Nicky Hopkins' electric piano chords, adding warmth and texture; Charlie Watts' subtle drumming with samba and rumba overtones for a swaying rhythm; and Bill Wyman's bass groove, anchoring the laid-back feel. Sonny Rollins' saxophone introduces improvisational jazz flair, particularly in the prominent solo section.[13][27] The production features a clean, layered sound with reverb applied to vocals and saxophone, creating a polished contrast to the Rolling Stones' rawer output from the 1970s.[26] Harmonically, the song employs simple I-IV-V progressions common in R&B, such as C to F and variations with Am and G, which enhance its accessible, easygoing vibe.[28]Lyrics and Themes
"Waiting on a Friend" features lyrics written by Mick Jagger, which center on the theme of patient loyalty in friendship amid the uncertainties of romantic relationships. The chorus explicitly distinguishes platonic bonds from romantic pursuits with the lines: "I'm not waiting on a lady / I'm just waiting on a friend," emphasizing a sense of reliability and emotional support that contrasts with the "game for youth" of "making love and breaking hearts."[29] Jagger himself clarified the intent in a 1983 interview, stating, "It's really not about waiting on a woman friend. It's just about a friend; it doesn't matter if it's a man or a woman."[13] The song's themes explore introspection and reconciliation, reflecting a mature perspective on life's chaos and the value of enduring connections. Lines like "A smile relieves a heart that grieves" and "I need someone I can cry to / I need someone to protect me" convey vulnerability and the comfort found in friendship, marking a rare positive, non-sexual outlook in the Rolling Stones' catalog, which often delved into more hedonistic or aggressive subjects.[29] This introspective tone may allude to the strained partnership between Jagger and Keith Richards during the late 1970s, serving as a subtle nod to the band's resilient bonds despite internal tensions.[30] Poetically, the lyrics employ a conversational tone to evoke everyday urban waiting, as in "I'm just standing in a doorway / I'm just trying to make some sense," painting imagery of quiet observation in a city setting. Repetition in the chorus reinforces the emphasis on friendship's simplicity and steadfastness, transforming the track into a reflective ballad. Originally an instrumental from the 1972 Goats Head Soup sessions, Jagger added these lyrics in 1981 to complete the song for Tattoo You, evolving it from a wordless groove into a poignant commentary on loyalty.[29] The song's interpretation as Jagger's tribute to lasting band camaraderie stands in contrast to the album's more energetic tracks like "Start Me Up," highlighting a moment of emotional depth in their oeuvre.[30] The saxophone solo further enhances this emotional delivery with its tender improvisation.[29]Release and Promotion
Single Release
"Waiting on a Friend" was released on November 30, 1981, as the second single from the Rolling Stones' album Tattoo You, following the chart-topping success of the lead single "Start Me Up".[2] The release served as part of the album's promotional strategy to maintain momentum from the earlier hit, capitalizing on the band's ongoing 1981 American tour.[31] The single was issued primarily on 7-inch vinyl in a 45 RPM format, with the catalog number RS 21004 in the United States.[32] It was backed with "Little T&A" on the B-side in both the US and UK markets, where the UK edition carried the catalog number RSR 109.[33] The track was released under the Rolling Stones Records label, distributed by Atlantic Records in the United States.[32] Promotion included radio airplay that aligned with the band's live performances during their 1981 tour.[34] Internationally, the single saw releases in the UK, Europe (including Benelux regions), and Australia, with similar vinyl formats and the same B-side track across most markets.[35][36] Later reissues appeared in CD format as part of various compilations. The song was featured on the 1993 compilation Jump Back: The Best of the Rolling Stones, 1971–1993.[37] It also appeared on the 2012 career-spanning collection GRRR!.[38] These inclusions helped reintroduce the track to new generations through digital and remastered formats.Music Video
The music video for "Waiting on a Friend" was directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg and filmed on July 2, 1981, at 96–98 St. Mark's Place in Manhattan's East Village, featuring a graffiti-covered building that contributed to its gritty urban backdrop.[39][40][41] The narrative opens with Mick Jagger waiting on the stoop for Keith Richards, who arrives fashionably late, before the pair heads to join the band in setting up for a performance amid enthusiastic fans on the street. It transitions to scenes of the group playing the song in an informal, communal style, culminating in moments of camaraderie among the bandmates, with Peter Tosh sitting on the stoop with Jagger and the other band members—Ronnie Wood, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman—joining for the performance. The video's low-budget aesthetic emphasizes raw, street-level energy in New York's East Village, capturing the song's themes of patience and friendship through its unpolished, vibrant visuals.[2][40][42] Premiering on MTV in late 1981 shortly after the network's launch, the video—with a runtime of 4:52—marked one of the Rolling Stones' early forays into the medium and helped promote the single's release.[2][43] It received praise for visually embodying the track's emphasis on enduring friendship, with critics noting it as one of the band's most effective and heartfelt videos. The clip's rotation on MTV boosted the single's visibility during a pivotal time for music television.[42][2]Commercial Performance
Chart Positions
"Waiting on a Friend" achieved moderate success on international music charts following its release in late 1981, benefiting from the strong momentum of its parent album Tattoo You, which topped the Billboard 200 for nine weeks, as well as the band's ongoing American tour that drew large crowds and increased radio play. The single entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 70 on December 5, 1981, and climbed steadily, reaching its peak position of number 13 for three weeks between February 6 and 20, 1982, while spending a total of 14 weeks on the chart.[44] In the United Kingdom, the single debuted on the Official Singles Chart on December 12, 1981, and peaked at number 50, maintaining a presence for six weeks.[11] It performed strongly in Canada, topping the CHUM Chart on January 9, 1982.[45] The track also saw solid results in other markets, peaking at number 9 on the Dutch Top 40, number 10 in New Zealand, and number 17 in Australia.[46][47][48] On the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, "Waiting on a Friend" reached number 9, underscoring its appeal as a mellow, saxophone-driven ballad suitable for adult-oriented radio formats.[49] This slower chart ascent contrasted with the explosive performance of the album's lead single "Start Me Up," which peaked at number 2 on the Hot 100 and drove much of Tattoo You's initial buzz.| Chart (1981–1982) | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 13 | 14 |
| US Adult Contemporary | 9 | N/A |
| Canada CHUM Chart | 1 | N/A |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 50 | 6 |
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 17 | N/A |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 9 | 7 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ) | 10 | N/A |