Waite was born in Lancaster, and was educated at Lancaster Art College (The Storey Institute).
Waite first came to attention as the lead singer and bassist of The Babys, a British rock band which had moderate chart success, including two pop hits that both coincidentally peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, "Isn't It Time" (1977) and "Everytime I Think of You" (1979), and a solid following of their concert tours. Over the course of five years, the band produced five albums ending with the final album On the Edge in October 1980, after which the group disbanded.
Waite subsequently launched his solo career with his 1982 debut album Ignition, which produced the hit single "Change". The Chrysalis 45 failed to chart on Billboard's Hot 100 during its initial release (June 1982) but was a top track on AOR radio stations, as well as a very popular music video on MTV as the 'new' cable channel celebrated its first full year of operation. The song was originally recorded in 1981 by another band, and in 1985 was included on the platinum selling Vision Quest soundtrack. When the single was reissued, it reached the Top 50 on the Hot 100. "Going to the Top" was released as the original follow-up single to "Change".
His next album, No Brakes, resulted in international attention. It was a Top 10 Billboard album in the US due to the smash hit "Missing You" which went to No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.[4] It knocked Tina Turner's "What's Love Got To Do With It?" out of No. 1. For that very reason, Turner later recorded and released Waite's smash song herself. (Turner's single peaked at No. 84 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1996.) "Missing You" also hit No. 1 on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks as well as the Top 10 of Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. No Brakes sold over a million and a half US copies yet has never been certified above the RIAA Gold standard (a record company must apply to the RIAA for such certification). Two more singles from No Brakes followed, including "Tears" which was a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts.
The next album Mask of Smiles followed in 1985 featuring the hit single "Every Step of the Way". Another single, "If Anybody Had a Heart", was released from the soundtrack of the 1986 film About Last Night.... In 1987, Rover's Return was released with the single "These Times Are Hard For Lovers". Waite would have another soundtrack appearance in 1990 from Days of Thunder with "Deal for Life"
In 1988, Waite joined former Babys bandmates Jonathan Cain and Ricky Phillips, along with Neal Schon from Journey and drummer Deen Castronovo, to form the supergroup Bad English. In 1989, the Bad English ballad "When I See You Smile" (penned by Diane Warren) went to No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and earned a Gold-certified single. Its parent album reached Billboard's Top Five and sold nearly two million copies in the United States alone. Bad English released two albums before tensions amongst the members led to the band's dissolution by 1992.
Waite returned to solo work. He released the album Rough And Tumble. He has continued to tour, such as in 2003 with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band
In 2006, "Missing You" was released as a duet with Alison Krauss and reached the Top 40 on the Country Charts in the United States. Waite appeared with Krauss on The Tonight Show on 5 February 2007 to perform the song. Waite's songs have reappeared in other media as well: 2013 saw "Missing You" featured heavily in the movie Warm Bodies, and "Change" is on the soundtrack of the US movie Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.
In 2008 he recorded a guest vocal on the track "In God's Shadow" from the Keith Reid Project's The Common Thread.
Waite appears as himself and performs two songs in the 2010 feature film, New Day, from L'Oiseau Blanc Films.
In 2011 the title track from his tenth solo album Rough and Tumble went number one on Classic Rock radio.
A longtime resident of New York City, Waite now lives in Santa Monica, California. John Waite is divorced.
Always be Your Man
John Waite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I take off to Central Park to watch those falling leaves again
And in the arbors of Strawberry Fields, in a night as bright as day
I look up at the sky and wish I could fly away
And I say I know this life won't last forever
But wherever you go these days
I'm with you all the way
Is more than I could understand
But I promise you, I'll always be your man
And so I watch those falling leaves until the winter kicks in good
Until I reach the same conclusion, we never say the things we should
You're with me all the time it seems, yeah, these days I'm not alone
I can't explain the things I'm going through, it's you not me that's flown away
And I say I know this time won't last forever
But wherever you go these days
I'm with you all the way
And I say I know your time and mine together
Is more than I could understand
But I promise you, I'll always be your man
And time has put us through some heavy changes
And I say I still care about you and I know what love's for
And I'll be right here waiting for you every day
To come in laughing through that door
Look up at the towers through the falling snow
It's hard to tell what you've been going through
Because I'm a stranger now in your world
And I say I know this world won't last forever
But wherever you go these days
I'm with you all the way
And I say I know your time and mine together
Is more than I could understand
But I promise you, I'll always be your man
Day in day out, I have no doubt
I'll always be your man
The song "Always be Your Man" by John Waite is a sentimental track that revolves around the concept of time and its inevitability. September is a metaphor for change and transitions that come with it, symbolizing the brevity of life. The song is written in an introspective and reminiscent tone as the singer ruminate on how time has flown by and how the people he had relationships with have changed. The singer's current state of being is unclear, but it seems he is separated from the people he is referring to in the song.
The setting of Central Park and Strawberry Fields echoes the idea of changes and transitions, with leaves falling and seasons shifting. The singer is encapsulated by a sense of loneliness that is surrounding him, which creates a yearning in him to fly away. The chorus suggests that the singer is still attached to his loved one when he says "I'm with you all the way," but there is a sense of uncertainty if this relationship has survived time and the changes that it has brought.
Overall, "Always be Your Man" is a poignant song that talks about love, loss, and the passage of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, September comes around like an old familiar friend
The arrival of September feels comforting and familiar.
So I take off to Central Park to watch those falling leaves again
They go to Central Park to observe the changing of the leaves.
And in the arbors of Strawberry Fields, in a night as bright as day
They find themselves in Strawberry Fields at night when it seems like it's still daytime.
I look up at the sky and wish I could fly away
They gaze up and wish they could escape from their problems.
And I say I know this life won't last forever
They acknowledge that life is fleeting.
But wherever you go these days
They will follow whoever they are addressing.
I'm with you all the way
They promise to always stand by their side.
And I say I know your time and mine together
The time they've spent together has been valuable.
Is more than I could understand
It's impossible to fully comprehend the importance of their time together.
But I promise you, I'll always be your man
They promise to always be there for the person they are addressing.
And so I watch those falling leaves until the winter kicks in good
They continue to observe the changing of the leaves until winter arrives.
Until I reach the same conclusion, we never say the things we should
They reflect on the fact that people often don't say what they truly mean.
You're with me all the time it seems, yeah, these days I'm not alone
The person they are addressing is on their mind constantly, making them feel less lonely.
I can't explain the things I'm going through, it's you not me that's flown away
They are having a hard time coping with a situation and believe the other person is the cause for their distress.
And time has put us through some heavy changes
The passing of time has brought about significant changes for both parties.
And I say I still care about you and I know what love's for
They want the person they are addressing to know that they still care about them and have experienced love.
And I'll be right here waiting for you every day
They are willing to wait for the other person to come around and return to them.
To come in laughing through that door
They picture the other person returning happily and with laughter.
Look up at the towers through the falling snow
They envision the other person gazing at tall buildings in the snow.
It's hard to tell what you've been going through
They are uncertain about what the other person has been experiencing.
Because I'm a stranger now in your world
They feel disconnected from the other person and their life.
Day in day out, I have no doubt
They are unwavering in their commitment to the other person.
I'll always be your man
They will always be there for the person they are addressing.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: JOHN WAITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SOFT ROCK
John Waite
Well, September comes around like an old familiar friend
So I take off to Central Park to watch those falling leaves again
And in the arbors of Strawberry Fields, in a night as bright as day
I look up at the sky and wish I could fly away
And I say I know this life won't last forever
But wherever you go these days
I'm with you all the way
And I say I know your time and mine together
Is more than I could understand
But I promise you, I'll always be your man
And so I watch those falling leaves until the winter kicks in good
Until I reach the same conclusion, we never say the things we should
You're with me all the time it seems, yeah, these days I'm not alone
I can't explain the things I'm going through, it's you not me that's flown away
And I say I know this time won't last forever
But wherever you go these days
I'm with you all the way
And I say I know your time and mine together
Is more than I could understand
But I promise you, I'll always be your man
And time has put us through some heavy changes
And I say I still care about you and I know what love's for
And I'll be right here waiting for you every day
To come in laughing through that door
Look up at the towers through the falling snow
It's hard to tell what you've been going through
Because I'm a stranger now in your world
And I say I know this world won't last forever
But wherever you go these days
I'm with you all the way
And I say I know your time and mine together
Is more than I could understand
But I promise you, I'll always be your man
Day in day out, I have no doubt
I'll always be your man
Hal Kufahl
Absolutely a great song. John is one of the best voices of the last 4 decades and should get more accolades! This song is also on The Hard Way album, which if you like this one, you will love the entire album. Whew!
Stephanie Hand
I love John Waite. Long to hear those words whispered into my ears. So, heavenly.
Stephanie Hand
I love this song
Stephanie Hand
Who doesn't love to hear these words by their beloved said softly against their skin & heart?
SOFT ROCK
John Waite
Well, September comes around like an old familiar friend
So I take off to Central Park to watch those falling leaves again
And in the arbors of Strawberry Fields, in a night as bright as day
I look up at the sky and wish I could fly away
And I say I know this life won't last forever
But wherever you go these days
I'm with you all the way
And I say I know your time and mine together
Is more than I could understand
But I promise you, I'll always be your man
And so I watch those falling leaves until the winter kicks in good
Until I reach the same conclusion, we never say the things we should
You're with me all the time it seems, yeah, these days I'm not alone
I can't explain the things I'm going through, it's you not me that's flown away
And I say I know this time won't last forever
But wherever you go these days
I'm with you all the way
And I say I know your time and mine together
Is more than I could understand
But I promise you, I'll always be your man
And time has put us through some heavy changes
And I say I still care about you and I know what love's for
And I'll be right here waiting for you every day
To come in laughing through that door
Look up at the towers through the falling snow
It's hard to tell what you've been going through
Because I'm a stranger now in your world
And I say I know this world won't last forever
But wherever you go these days
I'm with you all the way
And I say I know your time and mine together
Is more than I could understand
But I promise you, I'll always be your man
Day in day out, I have no doubt
I'll always be your man
Stephanie Hand
i love it.
Stephanie Hand
Wonderful song.
Andy's corner
That was very beautiful
johnwaiteisgreat
geweldig nummer
Stephanie Hand
Another great song.