Watching And Waiting

Album: To Our Children's Children (1969)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is not widely known, but is a sentimental favorite among Moody Blues fans. It's quite haunting, similar to the later "Nights in White Satin." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA

Comments: 24

  • Msp from UsaThis makes me see, a onely boy wanting someone to play with so badly, going from door to door in a neighborhood to ask for someone to come out and play, but no one does and so he wanders alone for a good part of an afternoon until he returns home very sad, and his mother or grandmother lefts home to walk with him to the part and play with him on a sand hill and playground swings and slides til he is ready to head home.... he's moved about with his parents so often he didn't developed close friendships and seem to fit in much... older, he is still quiet and has no close friendships. I read about kids being different, not truly accepted and a many loney kids commit suicide... and I'd guess they think it would be a freedom from the daily lonely, and they'd be set free to see the world, without anyone knowing that they have the freedom to see and do on another level, undetected.
  • Hj From The Wirral from Bebington WirralI always assumed this song was at least in part inspired by Kenneth Grahame's book: 'The Wind In The Willows". That book starts with Mole burrowing up to the surface to explore the wider world. A classic English novel inspiring a classic English rock band.
  • Lyn from LiverpoolI think this ethereal piece of music must be about Heaven. It is so magical, it tears me up every time I hear it. Justin Hayward has the most beautiful voice. He has always been my favourite male vocalist, no comparison.
  • Warrenz from EdmontonI believe it's God singing to man.
    Telling him that this world is yours, and to share it with love and charity.
  • Ashley Calvin from St.joseph MissouriThe moody blues ...Watching and Waiting is are journey to the understanding that we are all part of one sum an image we were made by our creator and we as humans are missing the concept and will continue to keep coming back until we get it right, unconditional love ....... This band in general Stunningly Beautiful
  • Bill from Pit, PaI read the lyrics over and over. For me thew song is clearly about Nature.
  • Gordo from JerseyIt was after ‘Nights In White Satin’
  • Bp from FloridaCould be loving words from the recently deceased.
  • Roberta from FloridaI have always loved the music of the Moody Blues and they are my favorite musical group above all others. This song is so incredibly beautiful that it brings tears every time I hear it. I have never heard a more angelic voice than Justin Hayward. Every single aspect of this song is breath-taking and masterfully produced. I am sure this song is about our Father in Heaven. Listen carefully to the words. Justin Hayward, Ray Thomas, Mike Pinder, John Lodge, Graeme Edge have something over all the others - there music is not superficial.
  • Danny from Corpus ChristiIn all the musical varieties with all the master songwriters, you WILL NOT find a more genuinely haunting song, ingeniously written by Justin Hayward & Ray Thomas with celestial guidance from the almighty above. There is positively no doubt in my mind!
  • Ty from Lynnwood WaHeartwarming to read such wonderful comments on one of my fave MB songs. Recently I got another thought about the music in the song: that the beautiful alternating chords (between F major and E minor) running through most of the song represent the days of our lives passing, all while we're watching and waiting...
  • Roy from NortheastI think its God talking to Adam
    Adam is waiting for someone to be his companion hoping it wont be very long
    God is telling him the fields and the forests are here for him to share
    its a beautiful melodic song typical of the Moody Blues
  • Robert Henderson from Asheville, NcThis song and "Who Are You Now" on The Blue Jays record are two of the most touching songs I have ever heard.
  • Bruno from Seattle, WaSince high school in the 70s I've always thought the lyrics were written from a God's point of view. He's the lonely one. Feeling lonely at the symbolic loss of a Garden of Eden. Looks down and empathizes with a lowliest creature of his - a mole - a creature that can't reach the light no matter how hard it tries. Which is the fate of all mankind. Listen to the lyrics again: "God" is saying "where I come from I can't tell". The song's lyrical genius is in the way it makes God relatable. As a song, disregarding whatever the words may mean, it's second only to Nights In White Satin.

    Yes this is an absolutely brilliant MB song, and like NIWS it penetrates the soul, it haunts, it comforts.
  • Joseph from Fort Hancock , Texas, TxWithout a seconds thought , I can say that this song (to me ) is much more intricate , artistic and soul awakening than 'Nights In White Satin' . Strange , but I do not remember the reason I chose this song to play while exchanging vows with my first wife in 1977 . Remembering Corinne , Seattle and early autumn....
  • Gigi from St. Louis, Mobeautiful pipe organ makes this song increidibly melodious and hauntingly beautiful. watching and waiting for a friend to play with I hope it won't be very long. to me it means some of us are still waiting for that special person to fall in love with...........and hope it wont be very long because lonliness is setting in and is almost unbearable. (my interpretation for what it is )
  • John from Originally Omaha, Ne"Don't be alamred by MY fields and MY forests"
    It's the earth speaking to the inhabitants. But is she only speaking to us human? I think she's speaking to all inhabitants, including other animals
  • Ian from Manchester, United KingdomThe song seems to be partly inspired by a Arthur C Clarke short story called The Sentinel that was later developed into 2001: A Space Odyssey. However, this may be coincidental although the album To Our Chirldren's Children's Children, the moon landing and the film were happening around the same time.
  • Peter Griffin from Quahog, RiI think this song is from the point of view of our own planet Earth.
  • Patrick from Southhapton, Nyit about true lonliness we all feel once in a while
  • Charles from Charlotte, NcThe album To Our Children's Children's Children was heavily inspired by the Apollo missions in 1969, the year the LP was produced. Many of the songs are about or conjure up images of space travel.
  • Liquid Len from Ottawa, CanadaThis song is from the point of view of a planet.
  • Kevin from Omaha, NeI bought the Moody Blues complete Set off of iTunes and discovered this song. It brings me such a peaceful feeling when I listen to it.
    I generally start my day listening to this song now.
    Thanks Moody Blues for coming up with this one.
    I would really like to know if there is story behind it though?
  • Gordon from Sydney (ex Berkeley Heights), AustraliaThe song was written for those of us that treasured (or still treasures)our very best first friend (boy, girl)..no matter how old we are, no matter how far away we are, we can always find a very best first friend or at least, the friend within us......
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"They're Playing My Song

When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

Songs About Movies

Songs About MoviesSong Writing

Iron Maiden, Adele, Toto, Eminem and Earth, Wind & Fire are just some of the artists with songs directly inspired by movies - and not always good ones.

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.