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.
Downtown
John Waite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And watch the passing cars downstairs
I'm high above Korean groceries
A sublet castle in the air
It's down to cigarettes and rosaries
Christ, I wish someone would call me
Johnny Thunders on the radio
Around a memory"
Maybe I could find a better way
But all I need is to feel connected now
Do you remember me
I sang that song you like
I sang that song for free
Now someone else sounds like me
As I make my way downtown
Downtown
Oh yeah
Downtown
See the old men on the Bowery
Take the night train to the stars
You can find me in the usual place
Inside the Temple Bar
I hear that Sally's got a gift for me
I hear she found it on St. Mark's
These days they all just talk like poetry
And shoot their mouths off shooting sparks
Maybe I could find a better way
But all I need now is to feel connected
Do you remember me
I sang that song you like
Way back in eighty-three
Number one
High as a kite
As I made my way downtown
Downtown
Oh yeah
Downtown
They've got paper cups for charity
Kools, pills and broken teeth, and dope
But I'll take another dry martini
And a chance on hope
And now someone else waits for me
And I got to get downtown
Downtown
Oh yeah
Downtown
I'm going way downtown
Oh yeah
I'm gonna see the man
I'm going way downtown
See the man
Going down yeah
I'm gonna see the man
Going downtown
Do you remember me
The lyrics of John Waite's song "Downtown" describe a man who is looking for a connection in a bustling city. He observes the busy street from his fire escape, high above Korean groceries in a "sublet castle in the air." Feeling isolated and desperate for companionship or a phone call, he reflects on Johnny Thunders, an old musician who sang "you can't put your arms around a memory" on the radio. Perhaps this phrase resonates with the singer who is trying to find his way in the world but does not know how to connect with others.
The singer talks about singing a song for free and wishes that someone remembers him. He talks about how things have changed and how people all sound like poets while shooting off sparks. Eventually, he decides to head downtown, where he is familiar with the usual characters such as the old men on the Bowery and Sally, who has a gift for him from St. Mark's. In the end, he is hopeful, willing to take another chance on hope and a dry martini. The song is a nostalgic representation of a young man searching for connection in a big city, yearning to be remembered and appreciated.
Line by Line Meaning
I wait for sundown on the fire escape
I wait until sunset to sit on the fire escape, which gives me an elevated vantage point to witness the cars below.
And watch the passing cars downstairs
While I sit on the fire escape, I observe the cars driving on the street below me.
I'm high above Korean groceries
My sublet apartment is located above Korean grocery stores, which are beneath me.
A sublet castle in the air
My apartment, although temporary, feels like a home to me despite being high off the ground.
It's down to cigarettes and rosaries
I have resorted to using cigarettes and rosaries to rely on for comfort and entertainment.
Christ, I wish someone would call me
I desperately desire the company and attention of another person whom I can connect with.
Johnny Thunders on the radio
I am listening to a song by Johnny Thunders on the radio.
Ah but "you can't put your arms
The line of the song I am listening to, which goes "you can't put your arms around a memory," speaks to me deeply, as I feel a sense of nostalgia and longing.
Around a memory"
Maybe I could find a better way
Although I am not certain, I believe that there may be a better way for me to find happiness and contentment.
But all I need is to feel connected now
For the time being, what I need most is to feel connected to someone or something.
Do you remember me
I am asking if you remember me and the song I once sang for you.
I sang that song you like
The song I am referring to is one that I know you enjoyed.
I sang that song for free
I did not ask for anything in return when I sang the song for you.
Now someone else sounds like me
Another person who sounds and sings like me has gained popularity and recognition.
As I make my way downtown
I am headed towards downtown.
Downtown
Oh yeah
Downtown
See the old men on the Bowery
As I move closer to downtown, I notice the old men on Bowery Street.
Take the night train to the stars
I am making an allusion to traveling to another universe or realm, which can only be done in my dreams.
You can find me in the usual place
If you tried to look for me, I would most likely be found in my typical location.
Inside the Temple Bar
More specifically, I can be found inside the Temple Bar.
I hear that Sally's got a gift for me
I have learned that Sally has a present for me.
I hear she found it on St. Mark's
I was told that Sally discovered the gift while she was near St. Mark's Street.
These days they all just talk like poetry
Lately, everyone I come across speaks in a poetic way.
And shoot their mouths off shooting sparks
These people also like to provoke or stir up trouble.
Maybe I could find a better way
Still unsure, I wonder if there is a way for me to find contentment and happiness.
But all I need now is to feel connected
At this moment, I only need to feel connected.
Do you remember me
Once again, I ask if you remember me.
I sang that song you like
I remind you of my previous performance of a song that you enjoyed.
Way back in eighty-three
I sang that song back in 1983.
Number one
The song I sang was a hit.
High as a kite
At the time I performed the song, I was likely under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
As I made my way downtown
When I sang that song, I was heading towards downtown.
Downtown
Oh yeah
Downtown
They've got paper cups for charity
Downtown, charity organizations give out paper cups as an incentive to donate money.
Kools, pills and broken teeth, and dope
However, in that area, it is easy to come across harmful items such as cigarettes and drugs.
But I'll take another dry martini
Despite the prevalent negativity, I still choose to consume a dry martini.
And a chance on hope
In addition, I am willing to hope for the best.
And now someone else waits for me
Currently, there is another person waiting for me somewhere else.
And I got to get downtown
Thus, I must reach downtown to meet them.
Downtown
Oh yeah
Downtown
I'm going way downtown
I plan on going even further down.
Oh yeah
I'm gonna see the man
I am meeting someone important to me.
I'm going way downtown
This time, I am heading extremely far down.
See the man
Going down yeah
I am still traveling even further down.
I'm gonna see the man
Again, I repeat that I am going to meet the person that is important to me.
Going downtown
Finally, I am arriving at downtown.
Do you remember me
Once more, I ask if you remember me and if you will still welcome me.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Waite, Glen Butnik
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian Lehman
I have every single CD John Waite ever released, including his stints with the Babys and Bad English... While I love his work with collaborators, I think his solo albums are much deeper and more personal.. From Missing You, to These Times Are Hard For Lovers, to Downtown, to When You Were Mine, to How Did I Get By Without You, to Rough and Tumble, John Waite has consistently given his fans amazing music with lyrics that grip one's soul with heartbreak, but also the hope and promise of a new day... Bittersweet, yet beautiful... It is impossible for any John Waite fan to pick a favorite song by him - they are all so damned fine! But if I had to pick a "favorite among favorites", I would probably choose Figure In A Landscape, from the album with the same name.. That song - the lyrics - "It's a portrait of a broken man, and the colors always run" - break my heart every time I hear them... I'd like to finish up by saying that John Waite is an amazing talent, and to give him my deepest thanks for so many years of incredible music.. And by wishing John the very best in the future - that voice is still amazing beyond words, and I think it is safe to say that we will be enjoying new music from John Waite in the days to come.... Peace, and God Bless!
Nan Van Overbeek
He's an exquisite talent
216Numbskull
@Brian Lehman, My favorite also. But, although "Figure In A Landscape" is repeated in song, and lyrics you're pertaining to. The song is actually called "Masterpiece Of Loneliness" my friend. Also a close 2nd. for me. "Welcome to Paradise" & "The Choice" off of Mask of Smiles. John is one of the best writers,poets of are time to me. +++Peace, & Rock n' Roll Bro!+++
Chuck Friebe
Love How Did I Get By Without You. One of the best pop songs ever written, I think.
Roger Keime
I cant pick just 1 and ive got the Babys Bad English and all his solo albums. One full off melancholy is If Anybody Had aHeart.😊
Frankie Tatcanbearrange
Man this is his best ballad, excellent!
Stephanie Hand
I love this song. I hope that you feel connected. Not just with a martini but a person that loves you. I really hope, so. I feel the sane way, as I am sure millions of people so. Such heart-felt songs for everyone that wants to listen.
Stephanie Hand
Let's move ti Weaverly Place in NYC & open your own place. & a beach place.
Brian Lehman
One quick story I'd like to share.. Back in the 90s, John Waite was with Bad English... The band played a gig in the Lehigh Valley at the Airport Music Hall... My wife and I were there, along with my sister.. We worked our way up near the stage, and the band started doing a couple of old Babys tunes... Well, the crowd was going completely bonkers, and next thing I know, John Waite reaches out his hand and pulls my wife and my sister up on stage! My sister just stood in front of the Marshall amps taking in the bass, but there was my wife - dancing with John Waite on stage - while he sang "Isn't It Time"... After the song, John gave hugs and helped them back down into the crowd... It was an amazing moment - one I will never forget... John Waite is an amazing singer and songwriter.. But more importantly, he is a gentleman who truly appreciates and loves his fans... God Bless...
Joe Kingsley
I got a story too. I was at a show at foxwoods casino. Standing front row. They r playing Rock n Roll by zeppelin. So I knew they were wrapping it up. I turn to my brother n say "I'm going up". He gives me the thumbs up. So I jump on stage and shake hands with John (my favorite singer all time). Then I don't resist as security politely removes me. When I ran into my brother, apparently he thought I said "I'm fucked up".