Waiting for a New Dawn: A Longing for Connection and the Relentless Passage of Time
There was a time when the mere mention of David Cassidy could make a heart flutter, a time defined by the pop perfection of The Partridge Family and the magnetic pull of the original teen idol. Among the gems that emerged in the midst of this phenomenon is the song “Where Is The Morning,” a poignant track that captures the anxious, sleepless anticipation following a moment of profound connection.
This song was a key component of Cassidy’s first solo album, “Cherish,” released in February 1972 on the Bell Records label, following the massive success of the title track. Although “Where Is The Morning” was not released as a single and therefore did not receive a separate chart position, it nestled comfortably within an album that demonstrated Cassidy’s burgeoning desire for an identity beyond Keith Partridge. The album “Cherish” itself peaked impressively at Number 15 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. and showcased a more personal and mature side of the young star.
Penned by Adam Miller, the story behind “Where Is The Morning” is one of classic, aching impatience. The lyrics paint a picture of a protagonist who has just met someone special, a beautiful, unexpected encounter that has left them completely smitten and unable to rest. They’ve found a connection—”You smiled at me and said you were free”—and now they’re left staring at the ceiling, waiting for the first light of day to keep their promise to meet again. The song’s meaning is universal and deeply resonant: the excruciating feeling of time dragging when one is eagerly awaiting a reunion with a new love. The core of the tune is a plea for the night to end, captured in the desperate, repetitive chorus: “Where is the morning? I can’t believe… It must be daylight soon. Where is the morning?”
It’s a feeling many of us recall from our younger days—that delicious torture of a new crush, where hours felt like days. Listening to “Where Is The Morning” now is like opening a time capsule back to a simpler, more intensely emotional era. The arrangement, with its wistful piano and gentle orchestration, perfectly complements Cassidy’s emotive, slightly strained vocal delivery, making the listener feel the weight of his sleepless watch. It’s an intimate track that showcased his true vocal talent, proving he was more than just a face on a lunchbox. For those of us who grew up with him, it’s a reflective moment—a reminder of the youthful passion and endless possibilities that seemed to stretch before us, symbolized by that endlessly delayed sunrise. It speaks to a shared memory of hope, vulnerability, and the universal need for connection that defined the era.