Waiting (Green Day song)

"Waiting"
Single by Green Day
from the album Warning
B-side	"Maria"
Released	May 29, 2001
Recorded	2000
Studio	Studio 880, Oakland, California
Genre	Pop [1] punk rock
Length	3:14
Label	Reprise
Composers	Green Day, Tony Hatch [2]
Lyricist	Billie Joe Armstrong
Producer	Green Day
Green Day singles chronology
"Warning" (2000) "Waiting" (2001) "American Idiot" (2004)
Music video
"Waiting" on YouTube

"Waiting" is a song by American rock band Green Day. It was released as the third single from their sixth album, Warning , and is the tenth track. The song peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart. ^[3]

The melody of the song is similar to that of Petula Clark's "Downtown". ^{[4] [5]}

The song also appeared as the 20th track on their International Superhits! in 2001.

Reception

The song was also well received by critics. NME , in its review, stated that "'Waiting', with its Mamas & Papas melody and its Kiss Army hook, could sit respectably alongside the band's best material." ^[6] Slant called the song "instantly memorable". ^[5]

Music video

The video features Green Day playing in a house while a bunch of young adults are jumping around, breaking various items and having a party. For the majority of the video, the partygoers are in slow motion while the band is playing normally; eventually, the partygoers briefly freeze in time until the last part of the video when they return to normal. It was directed by Marc Webb. ^[7]

Track listing

CD

1. "Waiting" (album version) – 3:13
2. "Macy's Day Parade" (live) – 4:26
3. "Basket Case" (live) – 2:49
4. "Waiting" (Video) – 3:23

• Track 2 also available on ...Tune In, Tokyo.
• Track 3 also available on Bowling Bowling Bowling Parking Parking.

GER CD

1. "Waiting" – 3:13
2. "She" (live at japan) – 2:32
3. "F.O.D." (live at japan) – 3:07

DVD Single

1. "Waiting" (album version) – 3:13
2. "Waiting" (Video) – 3:23
3. 4 x video snippets: "Basket Case" / "Geek Stink Breath" / "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" / "Minority" – 2:30

7"

Side A

1. "Waiting" – 3:13

Side B

1. "Maria (early version)" – 2:27

Vinyl box set version

Side A

1. "Waiting" – 3:13
2. "Macy's Day Parade" – 3:34

Side B

1. "Fashion Victim" – 2:59
2. "Castaway" – 4:01

Chart positions

Chart performance for "Waiting"

Chart (2001)	Peak position
Scotland Singles (OCC) [8]	29
UK Singles (OCC) [9]	34
UK Rock & Metal (OCC) [10]	7
US Alternative Airplay ( Billboard ) [11]	26

References

1. Raub, Jesse. "Green Day - Warning". Alternative Press . Retrieved January 9, 2023.
2. "Waiting". ASCAP Repertory . ASCAP. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
3. "Waiting - Green Day". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
4. "Green Day's 'Waiting' sounds like Petula Clark's 'Downtown'". SoundsJustLike.com. Retrieved 2010-10-07.
5. "Green Day: Warning". SlantMagazine.com. Retrieved 2010-10-07.
6. "Warning - Album Reviews". NME.com. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
7. "Video Information" Archived 2010-07-23 at the Wayback Machine . GreenDayAuthority.com.
8. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
10. "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
11. "Green Day Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2016.