B-side Nightwatchman Format 7" Genre Rock | Released April 20, 1981 Recorded Early 1981 Length 4:01 | |
"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.
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In popular culture
The song was used in The Simpsons 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 television 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. The song was famously used on Chicago television news in 1995, as the public awaited news of Michael Jordan's return to the NBA.