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25 Songs About Patience

Are you looking to make a playlist of songs about patience? In some of these tracks, the artist is singing about waiting for the right moment for love. In others, the person they’re waiting for is far away, and for some reason, not returning any time soon. 

These 25 songs about patience reflect the many different ways we wait for things by choice or design. 

1. Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree – Dawn Featuring Tony Orlando

Dawn - Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree (Audio) ft. Tony Orlando

War is a consistently tough thing for humanity to cope with, and while loved ones are at war, we struggle. As a sign of remembrance, “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree” reflects the tradition of tying a ribbon around a tree to signify thoughts of a loved one abroad. Tony Orlando and Dawn performed this on television in 1973.

Next: The best songs about war and/or songs against war

2. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri

Christina Perri - A Thousand Years [Official Music Video]

Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” talks about the difficulties of long waits and promises. It takes a lot to be strong and brave when waiting for someone, and this song captures having to love someone from afar beautifully. Fans of various movies, books, and TV shows adore this song for “shipping” characters who should eventually be together.

Next: The greatest romantic love songs for him (boyfriend love tracks)

3. Waiting on a Miracle – From Encanto

Stephanie Beatriz - Waiting On A Miracle (From "Encanto")

In the movie Encanto, the main character Mirabel does not have a miracle (gift) like everyone else in her family. She’s still part of the Family Madrigal but feels incomplete. She’s been told over and over that she needs to wait, and she grapples with feeling “not fine” while she waits. While she determines she can no longer be patient, she has thoroughly explored it. 

Next: Impactful meaning behind “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto

4. You Can’t Hurry Love – the Supremes

You Can't Hurry Love

Anyone who has heard this song from a parent understands the timeless nature of this advice. Originally performed by The Supremes and later by Phil Collins, “You Can’t Hurry Love” speaks a universal truth about being patient for love. 

5. When Will My Life Begin? – From Tangled

Mandy Moore - When Will My Life Begin? (From "Tangled"/Sing-Along)

Stuck in a tower, Rapunzel experiences a repetitive bout of chores every day. She’s grown up and wants to explore. Like Belle in Beauty And The Beast, she wants to know when life can happen for her—and she does her best to be patient and make the best of what’s in her lovely home. 

6. Belle – From Beauty And The Beast

Belle (From "Beauty and the Beast"/Audio Only)

Like Rapunzel, Belle experiences a pleasant but boring routine in her town. There’s a sweetness to the predictability, which enables her patience, but ultimately, she wants more and isn’t sure how to achieve it.

Next: Greatest Disney songs of all time (our full list)

7. I Will Wait – Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons - I Will Wait (Official Music Video)

Waiting to see someone you love again can be hard, whether they’re away because of work, war, or other travels. Many people also feel that Mumford & Sons‘ song “I Will Wait” reflects the patience required to wait until they are reunited with family, friends, and pets after death, making this one of the more emotional and meaningful songs about patience.

Next: Top songs about waiting for something or someone (our picks)

8. Waiting in the Wings – From Tangled

Waiting in the Wings 🦋 | Music Video | Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure | Disney Channel

Going back to Rapunzel who seems to wait longer than her hair, we turn to her friend Cassandra in Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure, who is waiting to take the stage. She struggles with patience, reflecting on her place. Many times, we’ve always felt second-best to our friends. When everyone else gets to shine, when is it our turn? Sometimes, we have to be patient and wait.

9. Waiting in Vain – Bob Marley & The wailers

Waiting In Vain (Africa Unite, 2005) - Bob Marley & The Wailers

Bob Marley is patient in “Waiting In Vain,” but he wants to make sure his patience will pay off. He describes a wooing relationship of at least three years, and the pain he’s had to endure while waiting. That’s a long time to be patient for love! If you’re thinking about whether your patience is warranted, his words can bring you some comfort. 

Next: Top reggae songs of all time (our ultimate list)

10. Wouldn’t It Be Nice? – The Beach Boys

Wouldn't It Be Nice (Remastered 1999)

This The Beach Boys‘ number describes a familiar plight: a young couple needing to wait to move in together and have a life on their own. They describe it as being better and sweeter if they wait, but while they’re performing one of the best songs about patience, they’re also dreaming of the goal. If you would like to think about how much sweeter your goal will feel having waited for it, give this song a listen.

11. My Brave Face – Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney - My Brave Face

Paul McCartney has written most of his songs about his late wife, Linda. “My Brave Face” talks about what it’s like to be alone without her for time, and how “the simplest things set him off again.” He expresses the need for patience, hoping to find his “brave face,” to bide the time when he is reunited with Linda. 

12. I’m in a Hurry (And Don’t Know Why) – Alabama

I'm in a Hurry (And Don't Know Why)

Alabama understands that sometimes we need to slow down and be patient. This song is fast-paced but helps the listener understand that we need to slow down and enjoy life, making it one of our favorite songs about patience. It’s easy to get caught up in a laundry list of to-dos, but this is a reminder to slow down and be patient. 

13. Be Prepared – From The Lion King

The Lion King: Be Prepared | Sing-A-Long | Disney

Not all songs about patience are about waiting for a long-lost love. In The Lion King, the villain Scar lays out a long and patient plan in “Be Prepared.” He has patiently prepared his takeover plan for a long time, which is terrifying as he narrates the many reasons one should be prepared for danger. If you’re scheming and need to ensure patience so your plan can properly play out, this may be the song for you.

14. Patience – Guns N’ Roses

Guns N' Roses - Patience

Guns N’ Roses nails the theme of songs about patience with a song title alone: “Patience.” This is about waiting for life to move on. People who are grieving find a lot of comfort in this song. The music video evokes images of ghosts and missed connections. 

15. Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) – John Lennon

Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) (Ultimate Mix)

In this song written for his son Sean Lennon, John Lennon sings about life and the need to be patient while one grows up. This is a difficult thing for kids to understand sometimes, which is why they especially need songs about patience.

Next: Greatest songs about growing up ever recorded

16. Vienna – Billy Joel

Billy Joel - Vienna (Audio)

Billy Joel also speaks to a child in his song “Vienna,” asking the ambitious kid why they’re in such a hurry. He sings, “When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?” His words of encouragement provide comfort and discourage people from moving too quickly. 

17. Waiting for the Miracle – Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen - Waiting for the Miracle (Audio)

Leonard Cohen’s eerie voice penetrates this song about waiting, and the strain it can have on a person. It can be such a drag to wait for someone else, and as we examine songs about patience, we can’t forget the difficult effect it has on the person who has to be waiting. 

18. Dear Prudence – Siouxsie And The Banshees

Siouxsie And The Banshees - Dear Prudence (Official Music Video)

Have you ever spent a long time coaxing a child or friend to join the fun? It takes a lot of patience to describe the beautiful day outside and why others enjoy hanging out with them. This Siouxsie And The Banshees’ cover provides a more psychedelic interpretation, invoking the oneness some feel as a result of taking substances. 

19. Quizas Quizas Quizas – Andrea Bocelli Featuring Jennifer Lopez

Andrea Bocelli - Quizas, Quizas, Quizas (Audio) ft. Jennifer Lopez

It’s hard to be patient and wait for answers, and that’s what “Quizas Quizas Quizas” is all about. In this beautiful duet version by Andrea Bocelli and Jennifer Lopez, the feeling of haunting patience certainly rings true. 

20. Cool – From West Side Story

Ansel Elgort, Mike Faist - Cool (From "West Side Story"/Audio Only)

Depending on what version of the West Side Story show or movie you see, “Cool” might have slightly different lyrics. This is because the story changes a bit for its audience, even though it typically takes place in the same era. Ultimately, this song is about keeping it cool and not starting trouble. Flying under the radar requires a lot of patience, but that’s what’s needed to stay out of trouble in this town.

21. Wait For Me – From Hadestown

This touching song from Hadestown details the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, demonstrating the patience it requires to wait for someone else despite so many challenges—even in death and crossing the River Styx. 

22. Wait For It – From Hamilton

Hamilton is full of energy—getting things done, creating a difference, committing a revolution, and making moves. But the show also examines the stories between the big moves, and in “Wait For It,” Leslie Odom, Jr. demonstrates a contrast between Burr and Hamilton.

Burr is willing to wait for many things, while Hamilton is not. Throughout history, Hamilton and Burr have been seen as complete adversaries due to the duel between them which led to Hamilton’s death, but this song suggests that the fundamental opposition of the men was in their nature.

23. Time Is On My Side – the Rolling Stones

Time Is On My Side ((Original Single Mono Version))

The Rolling Stones have always been a force for change, shock, and surprise, but in “Time Is On My Side” (a cover), they examine the benefits of someone allowing their partner to figure things out by themselves. Once this woman is done with her explorations, the singer is confident that she’ll come back and stay with him. 

24. Waiting – Green Day

Green Day - Waiting [Official Music Video]

For many of us, Green Day is the angsty hallmark of our youth. In “Waiting,” they talk about the kind of patience that it takes to grow up. They get it: things don’t happen immediately, you have to wait for them. 

25. Wishin’ and Hopin’ – Dusty Springfield

Wishin' And Hopin' (Stereo Version)

Dusty Springfield knows that reciprocal love is better than unrequited love. “Wishin’ and Hopin'” is all about the things you have to consistently do to win over the right partner. If you want to make things work, according to this song, you can’t wait around—you need to act.

Patience is not an easy skill to learn or master, but having the right focused playlist can help you get there. We suggest narrowing your selection further by deciding what type of patience it is you’d like to embody. 

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