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.
Dreamtime / Shake It Up
John Waite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Right out of sleep
Deep sea diving in the dark
With those creatures of the deep
Broken skis
Over silent snow
As the ground comes up to meet me
Is it then you let me go
To the other side
No one comes back
And very few survive
Me I'm heading south
For the borderline
She and I
This is it
Nineteen sixty-five
Twist and shout
This ain't no luxury cruise
And your eyes are full of doubt
Chinatown
Under neon lights
Oh, she's coming and she's going
In cheap hotels
Here we go
To the other side
No one comes back
And very few survive
Me I'm heading south
For the borderline
She and I
This is it
It's dreamtime
So come on
Dreamtime
A vision of
Oh guitar
Here we go
To the other side
No one comes back
And very few survive
Me I'm heading south
For the borderline
She and I
It's dreamtime
So come on
Dreamtime
A vision of
Dreamtime
To shake it up
Dreamtime
Tonight
You might even want to
Shake it up
Come a little closer
Twist and shout
You look so good
Come on
You're coming out
Shake it up
Oh oh you look so fine
Shake it up baby
Shake it up
Shake it up baby
Twist and shout
Shake it up baby
Shake
Shake it up baby
Shake it up baby
Work it on out
Shake it up
Shake it up
Shake it up
Shake it up
Shake it up
Come a little closer
Twist and shout
You look so good
Come on tonight
The lyrics of John Waite's song "Dreamtime / Shake It Up" depict a dream-like state where the singer is falling and encountering various experiences. The opening lines suggest a journey into the unknown, diving into the darkness and encountering creatures of the deep. The mention of "broken skis" and "silent snow" creates an atmosphere of danger and uncertainty. The lyrics then shift to a different scene, referencing the year 1965 and the iconic phrase "twist and shout," which signifies a lively and energetic atmosphere. The mention of Chinatown and cheap hotels suggests a gritty and urban setting.
The chorus of the song talks about heading to the other side, implying a transition or crossing over into a different realm. It emphasizes the idea that once on this journey, very few can come back or survive. The singer is determined to head south for the borderline, possibly symbolizing a desire to break free from limitations and explore new territories. The repetition of "dreamtime" suggests that these experiences are part of a dream or an altered state of consciousness.
The latter half of the song focuses on shaking things up and engaging in a vibrant and enthusiastic approach to life. It encourages the listener to come closer, twist and shout, and enjoy the moment. The repetition of "shake it up" and "shake it, baby" creates a sense of excitement and urges the listener to let loose and have a good time.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dreamtime / Shake It Up" evoke a sense of adventure, risk, and the desire to break free from constraints. It combines dream-like imagery with energetic and lively expressions, creating a contrast and an invitation to embrace life's unpredictability and opportunities for joy.
Line by Line Meaning
If I fall
If I lose my stability or direction
Right out of sleep
Suddenly and abruptly waking up
Deep sea diving in the dark
Exploring the depths of one's own thoughts and emotions
With those creatures of the deep
Confronting and facing personal fears and demons
Broken skis
Loss of control or stability
Over silent snow
In a serene and peaceful environment
As the ground comes up to meet me
Reality and consequences catching up with me
Is it then you let me go
Is it when you abandon or free me
Here we go
Embarking on a new journey or experience
To the other side
To a different perspective or reality
No one comes back
No one returns unchanged or unaffected
And very few survive
Only a small number can endure or overcome
Me I'm heading south
I am moving towards a new direction or change
For the borderline
Towards a threshold or boundary
She and I
You and I
This is it
This is the moment or decision
Nineteen sixty-five
A reference to a particular year
Twist and shout
Let loose and express yourself
This ain't no luxury cruise
This is not an easy or comfortable journey
And your eyes are full of doubt
You are uncertain or skeptical
Chinatown
A place filled with excitement and mystery
Under neon lights
In an illuminated and vibrant environment
Oh, she's coming and she's going
She is unpredictable and transient
In cheap hotels
In modest and inexpensive accommodations
So come on
Let's go
A vision of
An imaginative and inspiring idea
Oh guitar
The instrument that brings rhythm and melody
You might even want to
You may desire or feel compelled to
Come a little closer
Get nearer or more intimate
You look so good
You appear attractive or appealing
You're coming out
You are revealing or expressing yourself
Shake it up
Create excitement and energy
Oh oh you look so fine
You look incredibly good or impressive
Shake it up baby
Generate enthusiasm and movement, my love
Work it on out
Put in effort and resolve
Come on
Let's go
Tonight
This evening or present moment
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind