Wait

Album: Rubber Soul (1965)
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Songfacts®:

  • The Beatles recorded this during the last session for the album Help. They added bits and pieces in the last Rubber Soul session to create one more song for the album.

    It isn't quite clear why this song was left off the Help! album, except that it's much more folksy and fits in better with Rubber Soul anyway. Help! ended with "Dizzy Miss Lizzy," a much more rousing and rockabilly number which gave the album the kind of ending the band felt it needed.
  • "Wait" was written specifically for the film Help!. Paul McCartney recalls British child actor Brandon de Wilde being present while he was composing it, comparing him to a "Brat Pack" actor.
  • The added percussion (including tambourine and maracas) was added in later to make the song better fit in with the Rubber Soul album.
  • This is one of those songs of the Beatle canon with discrepancy as to authorship. It's known today to be credited to Lennon and McCarthy, but in his book Many Years from Now, McCartney credits the song entirely to himself, while another music publication of the time credits it entirely to Lennon.
  • George Harrison puts a tone pedal to his guitar, rendering these unusually mellow sounds to the song and those last strumming notes at the final slow-down in tempo.
  • The Beatles' tribute group Yellow Matter Custard covered this song.
  • This is one of the few songs to have John and Paul alternating sole vocal roles. Usually either they sang in harmony, or one or the other took lead vocal duties. It's just one more thing that makes "Wait" unique.

Comments: 24

  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaDoes anyone know what that weird sound is on the beginning and throughout the song, it sounds something like an organ or a accordion is it a guitar?
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaAlso love Ringo's tamborine etc.
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaLove George's guitar.
  • Carl from Apg, MdInteresting that it was written during making of "Help!" movie. I already heard it was recorded in June 1965, and I still don't know what extra touches were added after the Beatles found they were a song short in the making of Rubber Soul LP.

    I also see "Almost every song on Help is better, except maybe It's Only Love." Notice that It's Only Love was on the British "Help!" LP but on the U.S. "Rubber Soul" lp.
    "Wait" was on both the US and UK Rubber Soul LP.
  • George from Belleville, NjFurther proof that Lennon and McCartney were the greatest songwriting team in history.Another winner,another classic.This is solid pop song writing.Great melody,great harmonies,great percussion.I never get tired of listening to it.
  • Frank from Granchester Meadows, Greenlandchloe - hey, what's yer take on this one?...i'm surprised you didn't log a comment.
    one of my faves for sure.
  • Daevid from Glendale, CaMy favorite part is right after Ringos'roll on the toms, then straight into the chorus: "Wait....'til i come back to your side.... Lennon & McCartneys' harmonies are so refreshing to hear.
    Great little song.
  • Barry from New York, NcMcCartney said in an interview that he wrote it. According to McCartney it was written while The Beatles were filming Help! in the Bahamas, and was originally intended for inclusion in the soundtrack. Paul recalled writing the song in the presence of actor and former child star Brandon de Wilde
  • Susan from Toronto, CanadaBen Kweller and Strokes' guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. collaborated on a great cover version of this song for the album "This Bird Has Flown: A 40th Anniversary Tribute to The Beatles' Rubber Soul."
  • Bob from Roseville, CoI believe this song was ment for John's Aunt Mimi.Something to do with moving her to a new house and then he got caught up in his work and left her to deal with it alone.
  • Jon from Oakridge, OrI think this is a hugely underrated song. Better than A LOT of The Beatles earlier songs.
  • Bram from Zoetermeer, NetherlandsThis a song I really like! It has it's own idea. I think Lennon wrote the verses ans refrain, and Paul the middle eight. Nice to hear this one.
  • Kelly from Burbank, Ca...and yet their album filler is catchy and good. Brilliant music/lyricism on The Beatles part, even when they thought it was a piece of garbage...just goes to show how talented they really were.
  • Steve from Fenton, MoI think Wait is mediocre. Almost every song on Help is better, except maybe It's Only Love.
  • John from Woburn, Mathis song, along with some other rubber soul songs are among the beatles most underrated songs
  • Josh from Erlanger, KyI can't see why they didn't like it much. Good, jangly guitar, Good bass and drumming, and ( as always) superb harmonies, vocal and otherwise.
  • Ben from Cheverly, MdI like the "I feel as though, you ought to know..........." part of it.
  • Jordan from Wimette, IlThe Beatles didn't like this song. They put in on Rubber Soul because they were 1 song short.
  • Barry from New York, NcVery little is known about the writing of this song. Most likely it's a Lennon/McCartney collaboration (both sing lead), but one book credits this song solely to Lennon. Anyone can confirm?
  • Laura from Santa Fe, NmI'm watching the documentary firs U.S. visit and when you look at ringo when they were preforming he was a real trooper. and the beatles wanted to show the world how good he was and had him sing I wanna be your man and he was awesome! it's really hard to play drums and sing at the same time! GO rINGO!!!!
  • Jordan from Ontario, Canadai read that the beatles really disliked this song and they needed filler for rubber soul. fantastic album track, though.
  • Allen from Some Place, AkThis song could be about a soldier comming home to his wife or girlfriend, I belive. Great song.
  • Sam from Cleveland, OhGreat song, I love the ending. For those who say Ringo wasent that much of a drummer, they should listen to this song.
  • Paulo from New York, NyGood song. And underrated, apparently.
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