"Missing You" by John Waite

#1 Alert!

Song#:  1951
Date:  06/23/1984
Debut:  89
Peak:  1 (1 week)
Weeks:  24
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  As lead singer of the band The Babys, Waite had already experienced having hits on the Pop chart. Two of the band's songs, 1977's "Isn't It Time" and 1978's "Every Time I Think of You," were popular rock tracks that managed to each reach the #13 spot on the Pop chart. After The Babys broke up in 1980, Waite decided to try for a solo career. He stayed with Chrysalis, The Babys' label, and by the summer of '82 his debut solo LP, Ignition was ready. The lead single, "Change," did well on the Rock chart getting to #16, but it failed to make a dent in the Pop chart. As a result, the album stopped at #68 and retreated soon after. The tepid results led to Waite switching labels and he moved over to EMI for his next effort No Brakes. This first single, co-written by Waite, started off slowly but gained momentum thanks in part to a popular MTV video. It would eventually grab the top spot at both Pop and Rock while getting to #7 at AC. It was a significant smash that allowed the album to reach #10 and go gold. Waite would earn a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

ReduxReview:  Waite had a spotty career over the years, but when he was able to latch onto the right material, it was pretty spectacular. His two hits with The Babys were excellent and this specific single was brilliant. It was a well written ballad that was wrapped up in a lovely percolating rhythm. It became a staple of the 80s and beyond. It deserved its #1 placing and the long life that it has had since then. He was never able to properly follow it up solo-wise, but who cares when you have a hit like this.

ReduxRating:  9/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) This song knocked Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It" out of the #1 position after a three-week reign. Later on in 1996, Turner would record a version of the tune for her album Wildest Dreams. The song would be issued as the LP's third single and would reach #16 at AC and #84 Pop.  2) Waite himself would revisit the song in 2006. He re-recorded the tune as a duet with country/bluegrass star Alison Krauss. It was included on his concept album Downtown: Journey of a Heart. The song was pushed out as a single and it got to #34 on the Country chart.

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