From the recording THEY STILL CALL ME SOLDIER
THE VA WAITING ROOM BLUES
**Blue Wave Revival | Written by Rick Gaspa**
*From the Album: THEY STILL CALL ME SOLDIER*
If you've ever spent a few hours sitting in a VA hospital waiting room, you're going to understand this song before the first verse is over! 😂
I've spent my share of time at the VA over the years, and let me tell you, there's nothing quite like it. You show up early for your appointment, take a number, find yourself a chair, and settle in for what sometimes feels like a second tour of duty.
You've got veterans swapping war stories, somebody complaining about the coffee, another guy trying to figure out why his appointment was scheduled three months ago, and at least one fellow who's been sitting there so long he's practically become part of the furniture.
And somewhere in the middle of all that, you've got me, wondering whether I should've packed a lunch!
**“THE VA WAITING ROOM BLUES”** is my way of finding a little humor in something just about every veteran can relate to. Because sometimes, after everything we've been through, you've just got to laugh.
Now, don't get me wrong. I've met some wonderful doctors, nurses, and staff at the VA who work hard every day to take care of us. This song isn't about putting them down. It's about the funny little moments, the long waits, and the conversations that happen when you put a bunch of old veterans in the same room.
And believe me, those conversations can get pretty interesting!
So whether you're Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force, pull up a chair, grab a cup of that questionable waiting-room coffee, and enjoy a little musical therapy.
After all, **we may have survived basic training, Vietnam, and military inspections, but nothing quite prepares you for the VA waiting room!** 😄
🎧 Grab your headphones or earbuds and enjoy the music.
All Blue Wave Revival music is free to listen to, download, and share.
**bluewaverevivalband.com**
*The Music Is the Message.* 💙
Lyrics
[THE VA WAITING ROOM BLUES]
[Blue Wave Revival]
[SHORT INTRO – 4 BARS, blues-rock guitar and Hammond]
[VERSE 1]
My appointment’s at nine,
So I pulled in at eight.
Army taught me one thing—
You never show up late.
I circled that parking lot
Till I damn near needed care,
Found a spot so far away
I think I crossed into Delaware.
Made it through the front door,
Checked in right on time.
Lady said, “Have a seat, sir.”
I said, “That chair looks mighty fine.”
[PRE-CHORUS]
I’ve been Army trained,
I know exactly what to do—
Hurry up and wait...
Been practicing since my youth!
[CHORUS]
I got the VA waiting room blues,
Got my number and my comfortable shoes.
Checked in twice, answered everything again,
Swear I filled this same damn form back in 2010.
I can hurry up and wait,
Hell, the Army taught me that.
Got the VA waiting room blues...
But I’m damn glad they’re there.
[VERSE 2]
Then the nurse called my name,
Said, “Come on back with me.”
First thing that she pointed at
Was that scale I didn’t want to see.
I said, “Do we have to do this?”
She laughed, “You know we do.”
I said, “Take off five for my jacket...
And another ten for my shoes.”
She asked about my medications,
I pulled a list out right away.
She said, “Sir, this one’s outdated.”
I said, “Well, I remembered it today!”
[CHORUS]
I got the VA waiting room blues,
Got my number and my comfortable shoes.
They checked my weight, checked my heart,
Asked me how I’ve been—
Then somebody asked the same damn questions
All over again.
I can hurry up and wait,
Hell, the Army taught me that.
Got the VA waiting room blues...
But I’m damn glad they’re there.
[VERSE 3]
Back out in the waiting room,
A veteran takes a chair.
He looks at me, I look at him—
We know why we’re both there.
“What branch were you?”
“Army.”
He grins, “Yeah, me too.”
Five minutes later we’re swapping stories
Like old soldiers always do.
One complains about his knees,
I tell him about my back.
He says, “Getting old ain’t for cowards.”
I said, “You got that right, Jack!”
[BRIDGE – warm, sincere, keep moving]
But before I joke some more,
Let me make one thing clear—
The doctors, nurses, caregivers
Have been there year after year.
So yeah, I’ll tease the parking,
The paperwork and chairs.
When this old soldier needs them...
I’m damn grateful they’re there.
[SHORT DRUM FILL – IMMEDIATE NEXT VERSE]
[VERSE 4]
Blue Wave Revival
Has sung some heavy songs,
About the battles that follow us home
And nights that last too long.
But veterans laugh too—
Sometimes that gets us through.
So today we’re singing about that scale
And the crazy things we do.
Next time she says, “Step right up,”
I’ve already got my plan—
Empty every pocket, lose the jacket,
Get as light as this old soldier can!
[KEY CHANGE – FINAL CHORUS]
I GOT THE VA WAITING ROOM BLUES!
Got my number and my comfortable shoes.
Got my coffee, got my paperwork,
And nowhere else to be.
I can hurry up and wait—
Hell, the Army taught me that!
Been doing it for years,
So I’m pretty damn good at that!
I got the VA waiting room blues...
Yeah, we laugh and we complain.
But those folks keep showing up for us...
Again and again.
[SHORT OUTRO]
Here’s to every veteran,
And the folks who show they care.
I got the VA waiting room blues...
And I’m damn glad they’re there.
[8-SECOND MUSICAL END – CLEAN FINAL HIT]