When I awoke today, suddenly nothing happened/ 
But in my dreams, I slew the dragon.

“Waiting for My Real Life to Begin”  by Colin Hay is a song about a man facing lean times who is looking forward to a different future. Certainly, his luck will change: “Any minute now my ship will come in, I’ll just keep checking the horizon.” His fortunes will change, he just needs to roll the dice one more time.

This is a classic folk tune, with a simple acoustic guitar and a powerful, clear story: He is weary, he is ready to start slaying dragons in real-life just like he does in his dreams. His girlfriend offers the following advice: “Open up your heart and let the sun shine in.” That doesn’t sound like the most practical advice, but it sounds more loving than ‘get your shit together’.

Listening to this song reminds me of “Beautiful Boy” by John Lennon. He said, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”

This song contrasts so much with another song we reviewed “Awaiting Eternity”. This is a song with very little vocal variation, with understandable lyrics and simple instrumentation. “Awaiting Eternity” has obscure lyrics, crazy vocal range and has several instruments and effects. Both are great songs.

Waiting For My Real Life To Begin Lyrics

Any minute now, my ship is coming in.
I’ll keep checking the horizon.
I’ll stand on the bow, feel the waves come crashing,
Come crashing down down down, on me.

And you say, “be still my love,
Open up your heart,
Let the light shine in”.
But don’t you understand?
I already have a plan-
I’m waiting for my real life to begin.

When I awoke today, suddenly nothing happened.
But in my dreams, I slew the dragon.
And down this beaten path, up this cobbled lane,
I’m walking in my old footsteps, once again.

And you say, “just be here now
Forget about the past, your mask is wearing thin”.
Just let me throw one more dice,
I know that I can win.
I’m waiting for my real life to begin.

Any minute now, my ship is coming in,
I’ll keep checking the horizon.
And I’ll check my machine, there’s sure to be that call.
It’s gonna happen soon, soon, oh so very soon.
It’s just that times are lean.

And you say, “be still my love
Open up your heart, let the light shine in”.
Don’t you understand?
I already have a plan,
I’m waiting for my real life to begin.

On a clear day I can see, see for a long way.
On a clear day I can see, see for a long way.

Songwriters: Hay Colin James / Mooney Thomas Lawrence