I'm Waiting for the Man
Urban Desperation: The Velvet Underground's Tale of Longing and Addiction
Lyrics
I'm waiting for my man
I am anticipating the arrival of my drug dealer.
Twenty-six dollars in my hand
I have twenty-six dollars to purchase drugs.
Up to Lexington, 125
Heading to Lexington Avenue, 125th Street.
Feel sick and dirty, more dead than alive
Feeling physically and morally unwell, more dead than alive.
I'm waiting for my man
Continuing to wait for my drug dealer.
Hey, white boy, what you doin' uptown?
Addressed by someone questioning the speaker's presence uptown.
Hey, white boy, you chasin' our women around?
Accused of pursuing women uptown, speaker denies and explains.
Oh pardon me sir, it's the furthest from my mind
Politely apologizing and clarifying the true purpose of being there.
I'm just lookin' for a dear, dear friend of mine
Searching for a close friend, not involved in inappropriate activities.
I'm waiting for my man
Still waiting for the drug dealer.
Here he comes, he's all dressed in black
Spotting the arrival of the drug dealer dressed in black.
PR shoes and a big straw hat
Describing the dealer's attire with PR shoes and a straw hat.
He's never early, he's always late
Notoriously late, a characteristic of the drug dealer.
First thing you learn is you always gotta wait
Highlighting the lesson of always having to wait for the dealer.
I'm waiting for my man
Reiterating the continued anticipation for the drug dealer.
Up to a Brownstone, up three flights of stairs
Moving to a Brownstone, climbing three flights of stairs.
Everybody's pinned you, but nobody cares
People around but indifferent to the speaker's actions.
He's got the works, gives you sweet taste
Dealer has the drugs and provides a taste of sweetness.
Ah then you gotta split because you got no time to waste
Having to leave promptly due to a limited timeframe.
I'm waiting for my man
Still in the process of waiting for the drug dealer.
Baby don't you holler, darlin' don't you bawl and shout
Urging someone not to make noise or draw attention.
I'm feeling good, you know I'm gonna work it on out
Feeling good, planning to work things out positively.
I'm feeling good, I'm feeling oh so fine
Expressing a sense of well-being and contentment.
Until tomorrow, but that's just some other time
Acknowledging the temporary nature of feeling good.
I'm waiting for my man
Still in the state of waiting for the drug dealer.
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