“Stop Waiting” by Cigarettes After Sex

“Stop Waiting” was released through Partisan Records on 18 July 2023 alongside another non-album single by Cigarettes After Sex titled “Bubblegum”. As for the act at hand, as of this writing it consists of frontman Greg Gonzalez, backed by bassist Randall Miller (who also designed the cover art to this single) and drummer Jacob Tomsky. 

To some extent this is considered to be a one-man project, i.e. Gonzalez being the one Cigarette After Sex constant throughout the years. And relatedly, it is he who wrote and produced “Stop Waiting”.

Lyrics of “Stop Waiting”

The verses of this song apparently serve the purpose of the vocalist describing his girlfriend and, to a lesser extent, the nature of their relationship. From the get-go, she is depicted as someone who apparently has an affinity for “white wine” and recreational pills. And as for their romance, it seems to involve some hot and heavy making out.

The first verse ends with a reference to “the beach”, and the second verse that follows is based on a seemingly-related, sun-referencing motif.  The subject, as in the apple of Greg’s eye, is depicted as destroying a certain “swimsuit with… yellow straps”, then “rubbing sunscreen on her breasts” and “putting on her sunglasses”.

On the surface, these lyrics read simple enough. But at the same time, it feels as if the singer is alluding to something deeper. For example, besides the “yellow straps” mentioned in the first line of the second verse, there is also mention of “yellow lines” in the opening line of the first verse. 

So we’re compelled to believe that either the lyrics are by and large metaphorical, or they’re so literal that Greg didn’t even bother to get poetic while rendering them.

That is at least until we get to the chorus. This segment is highlighted but the vocalist asserting that he “could win” or “could lose”, “but that’s a look (he) can’t refuse”. Those are pretty ambiguous statements in and of themselves, but it’s obvious, in context, that Gonzalez must be referring to his relationship with the aforementioned lady. 

“I could win, I could lose
But that’s a look I can’t refuse
I could win, I could lose
But that’s a look I can’t refuse
Stop waiting”

One way these observations can be interpreted is as him sharing that pursuing this lady may be unsuccessful, but she’s so attractive that he has to make an attempt nonetheless.

If that is indeed what Greg is saying, then that would beg the question as to why he depicts himself making out with her in the first verse, as if they’re already engaged in a relationship. But perhaps what the vocalist is suggesting in the chorus is his intent to embark on a more serious relationship with his sweetheart, an effort that may succeed or may fail. And with that in mind, the second verse in particular does read as if he has been well smitten by this lady.