Right There Waiting is one of those cutesy, guilty-pleasure love ballads I occasionally find myself listening to. I’ve been tossing up whether to feature it here for quite some time, but the last time I heard it, it raised the needle on my general happiness gauge – so I decided to let this baby rip.
The Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem, with her warm, girl-next-door charm, has appeared here twice – once with her beautiful ballad Lost Without You, featuring Darren Hayes of Savage Garden. Delta was the undisputed pop diva of Australian music in the early 2000s – until she was diagnosed with cancer, and her struggle became something of a national concern. Too ill to perform at the 2003 ARIA Awards, Darren Hayes stepped in to sing her song instead, delivering such a stirring and heartfelt rendition that it sent shivers down my spine – especially when Delta appears in the audience at the end, a blubbering mess.
Delta was just 18 in 2003 when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma – a cancer of the lymphatic system.
“July 8, 2003. twenty years ago today. I remember that day so clearly and all the mixed emotions that came with the news of being diagnosed with cancer while my album (Innocent Eyes) had been sitting at No. 1 for three months prior and the third single hit No. 1 same day”
Today’s featured track Right There Waiting is a B-side from her Not me, Not I single released from her debut album Innocent Eyes.
Despite going through such a traumatic health experience, Delta has come through the other side and released 6 albums since. In 2021 Delta revealed people still constantly contact her to chat about her cancer journey.
“I don’t get emotional as much anymore… But occasionally I might see something and maybe a happy tear of being grateful because I’m here in full flight of health.”
[Verse 1]
Hey, what’s your silence for?
Lost in the herd that hides your eyes
Did you mean to run from me?
From the dreams we’ve waited for
[Pre-Chorus]
Won’t you take me there?
To that place you share with hopes that light your world
Do I? Do I have to prove that I’m here for you?
I hope you understand
That I am
[Chorus]
Since you’ve been away
I’ve missed you so
I can’t wait to hold you
Have you back again
So please stop and turn around
Then you’ll see me, I’ll be there searching
Right therе waiting for you
[Verse 2]
Hey, what’s the anger for?
Wait, plеase don’t turn away from. me
Looking into my life, you know
That it means everything to me
[Pre-Chorus]
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
No matter what you say (Oh)
We’ll get through each day (Oh)
I’rm here to stay, oh-oh
And if I meet you there (Oh)
Sometime, some place, somewhere (Oh)
And I’ll be there (Oh), anyway
References:
1. Delta Goodrum – Wikipedia
2. Delta Goodrem’s emotional update 20 years after cancer diagnosis: ‘Mixed emotions’ – Yahoo Lifestyle
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
I tried to listen to the song. Sounds good and beautiful like the look of the singer.
Hey there Hazel. I’m glad you liked the song and singer. I hope you weren’t effected by the recent Typhoon over your way.
It was nice hearing from you.
Thank you so much, Matt. We’re safe and sound, thank God. I apologise if I didn’t always comment.
I’m relieved you’re all safe Hazel. It must have been a scary time.
Yes, it was a scary time indeed. Thanks, Matt.
Cancer is tough at any age, but I find it particularly heart-breaking when it strikes a young person like Delta Goodrum was at the time. While I’m not a medical doctor, I understand prospects to cure Hodgkin lymphoma are pretty favorable, especially when it’s caught early, so at least there’s a bit if an upside here. I’m glad Goodrum appears to be in good health!
I never heard of her. The song sounds familiar, though. Cancer’s tough ~ I know, I’m a survivor. The toughest thing is that it can always come back.
Delta Goodrum is hardly known outside of Australia so you can go easy on yourself. Polly, I bid you a healthy and cancer-free journey from here on in.