Story Behind the Song: Heidi Newfield, ‘What Am I Waiting For’

In 2008, following more than a decade with the band Trick Pony, Heidi Newfield released her debut solo album, What Am I Waiting For. The record peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, and at No. 10 on the all-genre Billboard 200. Below, Newfield tells The Boot about the inspiration for the disc's title track, "What Am I Waiting For."

"What Am I Waiting For" is an anthem with a really cool storyline. I think everyone will be able to relate to it -- men and women alike.

It's about taking chances. It's about not biding your time and letting go of those things you don't have control of and remembering that there is a plan for you. It's about following instincts. If that means leaving a job that's kind of your comfort zone to step into a job that perhaps is something you've always wanted to do, but it might be a bit of a sacrifice or a hard transition, then do it. It's about doing it because you don't want to get old and look back in the mirror someday saying, "Gosh, I wish I had the guts to do that." That's what this song is all about.

The deep-down story is, that's how I was feeling about my transition that I waned to make with Trick Pony and stepping out into my own ... It's a song about having the guts to follow your dreams.

This story was originally written by Alanna Conaway, and revised by Angela Stefano.