Waiting For Tonight

Nothing yet? Definitely one of my favorite lesser-known Tom Petty songs. I always think of the second verse when I'm out for a walk and happen to cross a parking lot.

The meaning seems obvious enough if you look at the words. Just about being alone anf hoping for something (or someone) better to come along.

Agreed!! One of my favorites of his that never really took off.

The meaning seems obvious at first, a guy who's lonely and a little scared to jump into things, but now it's all finally about to go somewhere--maybe even a proposal.

Or, you could interpret it as a couple who has had a fight and a resulting long period of hiatus, and he's about to go apologize and let it go.

This one is a little out there, but something ominous about the women in the background saying "goodnight love" made me wonder at one point if it's a guy who's already married but unhappy and feels trapped, and he's actually singing about a lover with whom he's about to run off.

Can't believe this song isn't more popular, it's classic Petty. I interpret it as the character has been away for a long time, and it's about going back to visit a really special girl back home. Like maybe it's about touring and have all this fun and getting all the girls etc. but it really wearing him down and he just wants to be with someone who he feels is real and someone he has actual feelings for. But he's also scared and nervous and doesn't quite understand his relationship with her because she is so special. "I was wrestling with my overcoat, fighting with my thoughts" "If she hung around too long i might take her for granted" It's like because he's fallen for her so hard it makes the situation much more delicate and he's scared about messing it up. All the way through the song you a get the impression the character is just exhausted and worn down with life and all the tension and apprehension he has built up can just be released tonight when he sees this girl. "The only one who really cared about me, The only one without an angle"