What makes Waiting on a Song by Dan Auerbach notable?

The album received critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone describing it as a celebration of classic songwriting. It peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard 200 chart and further solidified Auerbach's reputation as a solo artist capable of crafting compelling narratives within his music. Released in early 2017, Waiting on a Song is Dan Auerbach's second solo album, following his 2009 debut Keep It Hid. At this point, Auerbach had established himself as a prominent figure in the music scene, particularly through his work with The Black Keys, and was leveraging that success to explore more personal and diverse musical styles.

How many songs are on Waiting on a Song?

Waiting on a Song has 10 tracks, running approximately 32 minutes.

Waiting on a Song

Dan Auerbach · 2017

32 min · 10 tracks · garage rock

A vibrant blend of garage rock and soulful melodies that captures a nostalgic yet fresh sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Waiting on a Song — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, blending catchy hooks with reflective lyrics about anticipation and the creative process.
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Shine on Me — This track features an infectious rhythm and uplifting lyrics that showcase Auerbach's ability to blend optimism with a sense of longing.
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King of a One Horse Town — Auerbach’s storytelling shines here, painting a vivid picture of small-town life while balancing melancholy with catchy melodies.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

Auerbach's blend of garage rock and soulful melodies creates a solid yet familiar sound throughout the album.

What we noticed

The first three tracks maintain a steady mid-tempo groove, while the fourth introduces a more upbeat rhythm that continues through the next few songs.
Several tracks feature prominent backing vocals that harmonize with Auerbach's lead, creating a rich vocal texture.
The album closes with a slower tempo on the last two tracks, allowing for a reflective finish after the more energetic middle section.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Shine on Me

The chorus shifts to a hopeful plea for connection amidst uncertainty.

This structural change elevates the emotional stakes, contrasting the earlier verses that dwell on doubt.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Waiting on a Song 2:49
2 Malibu Man 3:37
3 Livin' in Sin 2:25
4 Shine on Me 3:18
5 King of a One Horse Town 3:46
6 Never in My Wildest Dreams 2:56
7 Cherrybomb 3:45
8 Stand by My Girl 3:54
9 Undertow 3:23
10 Show Me 2:51

What to play next

Go back to

Keep It Hid

2009

Full Dan Auerbach discography Artists like Dan Auerbach

garage rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata