I've Been Waiting for You (Neil Young song)

"I've Been Waiting for You" is a song written by Neil Young, which he recorded for his 1968 self-titled debut solo album. In a song review for AllMusic, critic Matthew Greenwald described it as "One of the most powerful and well-crafted songs from Neil Young's self-titled solo debut... A very strong and engaging melody is set against a striking, descending guitar riff, which serves as the song's hook."

Young did not perform the song with Crazy Horse or Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, although he recorded a live solo acoustic version in November 1968, just a few days before the release of the album version. It was later included on the live album Sugar Mountain – Live at Canterbury House 1968, released in 2008.

David Bowie, the Pixies, and Dinosaur Jr. have recorded renditions of the song.

Personnel

• Neil Young – guitar, piano, pipe organ, vocals
• Jim Messina – bass
• George Grantham – drums

David Bowie version

David Bowie recorded a version of the song, which features Dave Grohl on guitar, for his album Heathen (2002). His version of "I've Been Waiting for You" was released as a single in Canada and reached number 11 in the single charts.

Bowie's band Tin Machine performed the song during their 1991-92 It's My Life Tour, sung by Reeves Gabrels. One such live version appeared on the live video release '. Bowie played the song live again on his solo Heathen Tour (2002) and A Reality Tour (2003). A longer version of the album version (3:16 versus 3:00) appeared on the Heathen Super Audio CD (2002) and on the box set I Can't Give Everything Away (2002–2016) (2025).

Technical