The Waiting (song)
Encyclopedia
"The Waiting" is the lead single from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
' album Hard Promises
released in 1981. The song peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100
singles chart and #1 on the magazine's new Rock Tracks chart, where it remained for six consecutive weeks.
episode "The Cartridge Family
" when Homer had to wait five days to buy a handgun. "The Waiting" was also featured prominently in at least one promotional spot for the fifth season of the hit TV comedy series, The Office.
The song is used at Philadelphia Flyers
home games, when a goal or other play is being reviewed by the official. The song can also be heard during an official review at Wisconsin Badgers
sporting events.
Petty performed the song on It's Garry Shandling's Show
in 1987.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers are an American rock band from Gainesville, Florida. They were formed in 1976 by Tom Petty , Mike Campbell , Benmont Tench , , Ron Blair and Stan Lynch...
' album Hard Promises
Hard Promises
Hard Promises is the fourth album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released in May, 1981. Its original working title was Benmont's Revenge...
released in 1981. The song peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
singles chart and #1 on the magazine's new Rock Tracks chart, where it remained for six consecutive weeks.
Covers
- Linda RonstadtLinda RonstadtLinda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
covered the song on her 1995 album Feels Like HomeFeels Like Home (Linda Ronstadt album)Feels Like Home is an out-of-print album by American singer/songwriter/producer Linda Ronstadt released in 1995. It was a rare commercial failure for Linda and peaked at #75 on the Billboard album chart.-Reception:...
.
In popular culture
The song was used in The SimpsonsThe Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
episode "The Cartridge Family
The Cartridge Family
"The Cartridge Family" is the fifth episode of The Simpsons ninth season, which originally aired on November 2, 1997. It was written by John Swartzwelder and directed by Pete Michels. In the episode, Homer purchases a gun to protect his family, of which Marge disapproves...
" when Homer had to wait five days to buy a handgun. "The Waiting" was also featured prominently in at least one promotional spot for the fifth season of the hit TV comedy series, The Office.
The song is used at Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
home games, when a goal or other play is being reviewed by the official. The song can also be heard during an official review at Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin Badgers
The Wisconsin Badgers are the collegiate athletic teams from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This NCAA Division I athletic program has teams in football, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, soccer, cross country, tennis, swimming, wrestling, track and field, rowing, golf, and softball...
sporting events.
Petty performed the song on It's Garry Shandling's Show
It's Garry Shandling's Show
It's Garry Shandling's Show is an American sitcom which was initially broadcast on Showtime from 1986 to 1990. It was created by Garry Shandling and Alan Zweibel. The show is notable for its frequent use of breaking the fourth wall to allow characters to speak directly to the audience...
in 1987.
Charts
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Album Rock Tracks | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 19 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 6 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 27 |
External links
- Youtube video (content licensed by UMG)
- Behind the waiting- Extract from the documentary, Runnin' Down a dreamRunnin' Down a Dream (film)Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down A Dream is a 2007 documentary about Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, directed by Peter Bogdanovich. The 4-hour documentary chronicles the history of the band, from its inception as Mudcrutch, right up to the 30th anniversary concert in Petty's home town...
- Youtube clip - NBC Promo for the 5th season of The Office, featuring "The Waiting".