Released on the 1977 album, Exodus, it is an almost hidden ‘little’ song that deviates from the politicized theme of the other tracks on the LP. Yes, at the time, Side A or B was a sign of prestige, and Waiting in Vain was in the middle of Side B.

In an homage to soul music, in the style of Marvin Gaye, Marley composed a simple love song. The inspiring muse was a girlfriend, Miss World 1976, Jamaican model Cindy Breakspeare.

Cindy and Marley began their relationship (despite the singer being married), shortly after winning the beauty pageant. Cindy, who was the daughter of a Jamaican father and a Canadian mother, worked as a gym manager in Kingston and was the second Jamaican to win the competition. The romance between her and the musician did not shock the local press because of his marital status, but because of racism, earning the couple the nickname Beauty and the Beast.

For political reasons, Bob Marley exiled himself to London for a while and Cindy did not immediately join him. Longing for it, he wrote Waiting In Vain for her.

I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love
I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love
From the very first time I placed my eyes on you, girl
My heart says follow through
But I know, now, that I’m way down on your line
But the waitin’ feel is fine
So don’t treat me like a puppet on a string
‘Cause I know how to do my thing
Don’t talk to me as if you think I’m dumb
I wanna know when you’re gonna come

See, I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love
I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love
I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love
‘Cause if summer is here
I’m still waiting there
winter is here
And I’m still waiting there

Like I said
It’s been three years since I’m knockin’ on your door
And I still can knock some more
Ooh girl, ooh girl, is it feasible?
I wanna know now, for I to knock some more
Ya see, in life I know there’s lots of grief
But your love is my relief
Tears in my eyes burn, tears in my eyes burn
While I’m waiting, while I’m waiting for my turn
See! I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love
I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love
No no no, I, no I (I don’t wanna wait in vain)
It’s your love that I’m waiting on
It’s my love that you’re running from
It’s your love that I’m waiting on
It’s my love that you’re running from

When Marley wrote this song for his girlfriend, they didn’t know she was pregnant yet. Their son, Damian Marley, followed in his father’s footsteps into music. Rita, the musician’s wife and stage partner, refused to sing Waiting in Vain at concerts and left the stage when her husband played it.

The romance between the two lasted a few years and still yielded She’s Gone and Misty Morning. When the singer started the fight against cancer, they were already separated. The classic remained, which was re-recorded by Annie Lennox, 18 years later, on the CD, Medusa.

And the Annie Lennox version

Search

Search