I felt you coming girl, as you drew near
I knew you'd find me, 'cause I longed you here
Are you my destiny?
Is this how you'll appear?
Wrapped in a coat with the tears in your eyes?
Well take that coat babe, and throw it on the floor
Are you the one that I've been waiting for?

As you've been moving surely toward me
My soul has comforted and assured me
That in time my heart it will reward me
And that all will be revealed
So I've sat and I've watched an ice-age thaw
Are you the one that I've been waiting for?

Out of sorrow, entire worlds have been built
Out of longing great wonders have been willed
They're only little tears, darling, let them spill
And lay your head upon my shoulder
Outside my window the world has gone to war
Are you the one that I've been waiting for?

Oh we will know, won't we?
The stars will explode in the sky
But they don't, do they?
Stars have their moment and then they die

There's a man who spoke wonders, though I've never met him
He said, "He who seeks finds and who knocks will be let in"
I think of you in motion and just how close you are getting
And how every little thing anticipates you
All down my veins my heart-strings call
Are you the one that I've been waiting for?
Are you the one that I've been waiting for?


Lyrics submitted by delial, edited by Mellow_Harsher

(Are You) The One That I've Been Waiting For? Lyrics as written by Nicholas Cave

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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(Are You) The One That I've Been Waiting For? song meanings
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    General Comment

    I think its interesting so many comments think its about someone he knew and lost. That's not clear, I mean it could be, even likely (my bet would be his first love, whoever that is), but its not implicit in the lyrics.

    What is clear is that he's expressing hope that he will find this love in the future, soon.

    But how will he know for certain when he has found his true love? Will there be clear signs? Will stars explode overhead?

    I think he's also expressing how there are very few certainties in life. There is an implication of fear or doubt, by saying it would be nice if we knew for certain, if when we knew we met our true love we could be certain because of undeniable indications, if stars exploded overhead when we met, but in reality we know that doesn't happen.

    In reality the only certainty in life is that life blooms and then it fades, the inevitable transcience of time.

    Sometimes we don't know that we've met out true love until time has passed. Maybe why some have interpretted this song as longing for a lost love. All Nick is expressing is clear longing for true love, and hope he will find true love soon. The implication being that "true love" would endure, maybe that is the only indication that it is "true love" versus another kind of love that could not be lost, just as other loves have.

    fortune8on June 28, 2012   Link

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