Meaning of "I've Been Waitin' For Tomorrow (All Of My Life)" by The The

The lyrics of "I've Been Waitin' For Tomorrow (All Of My Life)" delve into themes of disillusionment, unfulfilled dreams, and a sense of longing for something better. The speaker is depicted as hiding in the corner of an overgrown garden, symbolizing their withdrawal from the world and the decay of their hopes and aspirations. By covering their body in leaves and trying not to breathe, they convey a desire to escape or dissociate from their current reality. The bursting childhood dreams hanging around their knees represent the unresolved desires of their youth, which have remained unfulfilled.

The speaker's emotional state is characterized by deformity, as emotional scars and the "cancer of love" have eaten away at their heart. This imagery suggests that past experiences and failed relationships have left them wounded and emotionally damaged. They feel stripped bare and abandoned, as the people they once looked up to are no longer present in their life. This sense of isolation and loss is further emphasized by the refrain, "All desires have been denied to put me in this state of mind."

The lyrics also touch upon the fleeting nature of time, with the speaker lamenting another year passing without any significant achievements or progress. Their aspirations have withered like plants in the sun, and they are crippled by guilt and feel blinded by science - possibly referring to a sense of being overwhelmed by the complexities and overwhelming demands of modern life.

The repeated line, "I've been waiting for tomorrow all of my life," highlights the speaker's yearning for a better future. They have been held back by their circumstances, feeling that their potential has been stifled and their dreams deferred. The lyrics convey a deep longing for change and something more meaningful, which has remained elusive.

Furthermore, the lyrics touch upon the influence of external forces on the speaker's mindset. They feel filled with useless information from the media, hounded by fairweather friends who contribute to their discontent, and struggle to navigate through the tumultuous and harsh realities of life - depicted through the metaphor of a sewer. The reference to throwing in money to make a wish underscores the speaker's desire for a quick fix or escape from their current situation, but it seems futile as they compare themselves to sleeping fisherman who can't catch any fish.

In essence, "I've Been Waitin' For Tomorrow (All Of My Life)" encompasses a sense of disillusionment, unfulfilled aspirations, and a longing for a brighter future. The lyrics explore the speaker's feelings of isolation, emotional scars, and their struggle to find purpose and meaning in a world that seems to have let them down.