Waiting Game Song Meaning

The song “Waiting Game” has a strong soulful feeling to it, which captures it’s true meaning of being hopeful. The original artists of this beautiful song is Parson James. James wrote this song when he was living in bad times in what he called a “rat den” apartment in New York. He mentioned it had no heating system, which made it impossible to even walk around the house during the colder seasons. At the time of this song, James was 17 years old had no job because he dedicated all of his time to write songs and “waiting” for producers to answer his emails, which he hoped would lead to signing a deal (Chang). James told i-D magazine, “I wrote the song when I was at one of the lowest points of my life and career. I knew that things could get way worse, but they also could get better. And they did” (Baxter). Even though James’ song is considered a recent song, many have created their own covers based on the idea of hoping for

Harmon is one of the top three finalists of the once famous entertainment show, American Idol. Harmon decides to interpret this song because it relates to the difficult situation he finds himself in as he is in the top three (“Trent Harmon”). Just like James, Harmon reinterpreted the song with the same ideas. Harmon put soul into the song because he knew he had to sacrifice everything he had on stage in order to become the last one standing. However, unlike James version of “Waiting Game”, Harmon emphasizes more of the endings of the lines in the song and combines it with a higher pitched voice. Harmon’s voice gives a different feeling than to James’ gospel ways. Harmon adds a twist of cheerfulness like if he knew for sure something wonderful was about to happen (“Trent Harmon”). This version captures listeners who have endured moments of hope as they reach something better. These two versions of “Waiting Game” have differences and similarities that continue to share the idea of