Are you Waiting on the World to Change?
Part of the brilliance of this song is that it makes me want to sing, “Waiting (Waiting!) Waiting on the song to change!” Ad nauseam. Could there be a better expression of frustration with the culture and climate of the world around us? Nah…well done, John.
But seriously. Every time I hear this song, I groan, I roll my eyes, and I cry out, “John! You’re killing me! Stop waiting! Do something!”
I think those of us living normal lives fall easily into the mindset that the world just ebbs and flows however it will, and no one person (or even a group of “normal” people) can affect the world. But the older I get, the more I am convinced that the world is changed by people just like you and me, just like John Mayer and all those young adults singing along with him, “waiting on the world to change!”
The question is not whether individuals can change the world.
The question is whether you will be one of the individuals who affects change in the world, or whether you will “keep on waiting…waiting on the world to change.”
What do you think? Can individuals change the world?
More importantly…what are you waiting for?
Hiya Sarahmoo,
I dont know (not interested in) everyone’s opinion of this dude; some of his music was pretty cool, and had ‘meaning’. The following video/song has always
had that ‘three fingers pointing back at me’ effect on me. Hope you enjoy.
Here are the lyrics, minus the long ending:
Ooh ooh ooh aah
Gotta make a change
For once in my life
It’s gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right
As I turned up the collar on
A favorite winter coat
This wind is blowin’ my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind
Pretending not to see their needs
A summer’s disregard
A broken bottle top
And a one man’s soul
They follow each other
On the wind ya’ know
‘Cause they got nowhere to go
That’s why I want you to know
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change, yey
Na na na, na na na, na na na na oh ho
I’ve been a victim of
A selfish kinda love
It’s time that I realize
There are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be really pretending that they’re not alone
A willow deeply scarred
Somebody’s broken heart
And a washed out dream
(Washed out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind ya’ see
‘Cause they got no place to be
That’s why I’m starting with me
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that change
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah)
I’m asking him to change his ways, yeah
(Change)
No message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make the change
You gotta get it right, while you got the time
‘Cause when you close your heart
(You can’t close your, your mind)
Then you close your mind
Good thoughts, Ray…even if I don’t particularly like that artist…
You’re right though–it’s a good message. Take a look at yourself. *Nod*
Jesus Christ can, has, is, and will change the world!
Praise God for that!