Missing You (Live 1988 / Wildcard Remaster)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin the heartfelt vibes of John Waite's "Missing You (Live 1988 / Wildcard Remaster)" from the album John Waite No Brakes Tour LD. This iconic track, originally released in 1984, carries a raw emotional punch, and the 1988 live version captures Waite’s passionate delivery in front of an electrified crowd. Did you know that "Missing You" was almost left off the No Brakes album? Waite’s label thought the record was complete, but he insisted it needed a hit single. He was right—after hearing a guitar melody from songwriter Chas Sandford, Waite improvised the first verse and chorus in one take, later recalling, “I stood back from the mic and thought, ‘F--k it. Number 1.’” The song soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1984, knocking Tina Turner’s "What’s Love Got to Do With It?" out of the top spot.

The song’s bittersweet lyrics, where Waite sings “I ain’t missing you at all” while clearly aching for a lost love, were deeply personal. In an interview with Songfacts, Waite revealed that "Missing You" was inspired by three women in his life: his wife (whom he was divorcing), an old love from his early days in New York City, and a current romantic interest. This emotional complexity resonated with fans, and the track’s universal theme of denial and longing made it a timeless anthem. Waite’s bold style choices for the music video, directed by Kort Falkenberg III, also stood out—he showed up in a sleek black suit and a crew cut, aiming for a “flat out European” vibe, which he felt was a bullseye. The video, shot in downtown Los Angeles near Pershing Square, stayed in heavy rotation on MTV, cementing its cultural impact.

Another fun tidbit: Waite wasn’t thrilled with Tina Turner’s 1996 cover of "Missing You." In a People Magazine interview, he called it an honor but noted that her version lacked the “suppressed grief” he poured into the original. However, his 2006 duet remake with bluegrass star Alison Krauss was a hit, reaching the Top 40 on the U.S. Country Charts and showcasing his versatility. Fans on Reddit still rave about the song’s staying power, with one user sharing how they played it on repeat in 1984, and another noting its recent resurgence in their life, calling it “inescapable” in 2024. Author Harlan Coben even titled a novel and Netflix series after the song, with Waite enthusiastically sending him multiple versions of the track for the project.

John Waite, born on July 4, 1952, in Lancaster, Lancashire, England, kicked off his musical journey with a blend of grit and talent. Growing up, he was educated at Greaves Secondary Modern and Lancaster Art College, where his creative spark began to shine. Waite first hit the scene as the lead singer and bassist for The Babys, a British rock band formed in 1974. The group scored moderate success with hits like “Isn’t It Time” (1977) and “Everytime I Think of You” (1979), both peaking at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their relentless touring built a loyal fanbase, but after five albums, The Babys disbanded in 1980. Waite didn’t miss a beat, launching his solo career with the 1982 album Ignition, which featured the AOR radio favorite “Change.” His big break came with “Missing You” in 1984, propelling him to international stardom and paving the way for later ventures, including the supergroup Bad English, which scored a No. 1 hit with “When I See You Smile” in 1989.

Zoo Freaks can connect with John Waite and his music through his official channels. Visit his website at johnwaiteworldwide.com for tour dates, merch, and updates. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X to catch his latest posts and interact with fellow fans. For those craving more community, check out the fan-driven John Waite Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can share stories, discuss his discography, and celebrate his enduring legacy. Keep spinning those records, and let’s keep the Zoo vibes alive!