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.
When I See You Smile
John Waite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How I'd ever make it through
Through this world
Without having you
I just wouldn't have a clue
'Cause sometimes it seems
Like this world's closing in on me
And there's no way of breaking free
Sometimes I wanna give up
I wanna give in
But after everything is said and done
You're my reason for livin'
When I see you smile
I can face the world
Oh, yeah, I can do anything
When I see you smile
Oh yeah baby, oh whoa
I can do anything
When I see you smile
Baby, when I see you smile at me (yeah, yeah)
And baby there's nothing in this world that could ever do
What the touch of your hand can do
It's like nothing that I ever knew
And when the rain is falling
I don't feel it
'Cause you're here with me now
Yeah, one look at you baby
That's all I'll ever need
Yeah, all I'll ever need
When I see you smile
I can face the world
Oh yeah, I can do anything
When I see you smile
Oh yeah
Oh, I can do anything
When I see you smile
Baby, when I see you smile at me
I say
Sometimes I wanna give up
And give in
And quit this fight
And then one look at you baby
And everything, everything is alright (yeah, baby)
When I see you smile
I can face the world
Oh whoa, I can do anything, yeah
When I see you smile
Oh yeah, baby
Oh, I can do anything
When I see you smile
Yeah, darlin'
Oh whoa, I can do anything
When I see you smile, baby
Baby, when I see you smile at me
Oh yeah, everyday of my life
Oh yeah, smile at me, yeah
The lyrics to John Waite's song, "When I See You Smile," depict the power of love and the impact it can have on a person's life. The singer expresses that without their partner, they wouldn't know how to make it through this world. The world seems to close in on them at times, and they feel trapped, but seeing their partner reach out to them gives them hope. The singer also shares that sometimes they want to give up, but their partner is their reason for living.
The lyrics capture the essence of how a single smile from a loved one can change everything. The singer states that when they see their partner smile, they can face the world and do anything. The touch of their hand is like nothing they ever knew, and even when it's raining, they don't feel it because their partner is with them. One look from their partner is all they need to feel secure and at peace.
The essence of the song is that love has the power to give one hope, strength, and the ability to face any challenge that comes their way. When the singer sees their partner's smile, it lights up their life and gives them the courage to take on anything.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I wonder
There are times when I have had doubts and questions.
How I'd ever make it through
How I would be able to navigate through life without you.
Through this world
We are talking about Earth and everything it comprises.
Without having you
If you were not present in my life, then it would be difficult.
I just wouldn't have a clue
You are a significant part of my life, and I cannot function without you.
'Cause sometimes it seems
On occasion, reality appears like it's crushing me.
Like this world's closing in on me
It gives an impression that everything is coming to an end, and something terrible is about to happen.
And there's no way of breaking free
There looks to be no escape route, and everything looks bleak.
And then I see you reach for me
When I am going through this moment of despair, and I perceive you trying to help me, it gives me hope.
Sometimes I wanna give up
There are times when I feel like quitting or just letting go.
I wanna give in
At times, I feel like surrendering or stopping to fight.
But after everything is said and done
All the struggles, challenges, and obstacles that we have to face.
You're my reason for livin'
All the difficulties I experience are worth it because I have you in my life.
When I see you smile
When I observe you happy, and content, it fills my heart with joy.
I can face the world
I get the courage and confidence to go through whatever challenge comes my way.
Oh, yeah, I can do anything
I am invigorated and believe that there is nothing I cannot do.
Oh yeah baby, oh whoa
This is merely an expression of satisfaction and rapture.
Baby, when I see you smile at me (yeah, yeah)
When I see you smile at me, it instantly elevates my mood, and I feel like anything is possible.
And baby there's nothing in this world that could ever do
The entire world and everything in it cannot replicate what you do to me.
What the touch of your hand can do
A simple touch from you has the power to soothe me and bring me happiness.
It's like nothing that I ever knew
It's a whole new experience I have never felt before.
And when the rain is falling
On moments when it feels like everything is going wrong.
I don't feel it
You make the problems appear less severe.
'Cause you're here with me now
You being present with me, and accompanying me through the storm makes it bearable.
Yeah, one look at you baby
Merely catching a glimpse of you is enough to make me feel better.
That's all I'll ever need
Your presence is all I require to make it through the day.
And everything, everything is alright (yeah, baby)
Seeing you happy and content ensures that everything in life is okay.
Yeah, darlin'
An expression of endearment.
Oh whoa, I can do anything
I feel invigorated, and there is no challenge I cannot confront.
Yeah, everyday of my life
You are a significant part of my life and make every day worth living.
Oh yeah, smile at me, yeah
Your smile is a vital ingredient that brings joy and happiness to my life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Diane Eve Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sholehmahfudin4408
"When I See You Smile"
Sometimes I wonder how I'd ever make it through
Through this world without having you
I just wouldn't have a clue
'Cause sometimes it seems like this world's closing in on me
And there's no way of breaking free
And then I see you reach for me
Sometimes I wanna give up, wanna give in
I wanna quit the fight
And then I see you baby
And everything's alright, everything's alright
When I see you smile, I can face the world
Oh, oh
You know I can do anything
When I see you smile, I see a ray of light
Oh, oh
I see it shining right through the rain
When I see you smile
Baby when I see you smile at me
Oh, yeah
Baby there's nothing in this world that could ever do
What a touch of your hand can do
It's like nothing that I ever knew
Hey
And when the rain is falling, I don't feel it
'Cause you're here with me now
And one look at you baby
Is all I'll ever need, is all I'll ever need
When I see you smile, I can face the world
Oh, oh
You know I can do anything
When I see you smile, I see a ray of light
Oh, oh
I see it shining right through the rain
When I see you smile
Baby, baby when I see you smile at me
Sometimes I wanna give up, I wanna give in
I wanna quit the fight
Then one look at you baby
And everything's alright
Hey, everything's alright
It's alright
When I see you smile, I can face the world
Oh, oh
You know I can do anything
When I see you smile, I see a ray of light
Oh, oh
I see it shining right through the rain
When I see you smile, I can face the world
Oh, oh
You know I can do anything
When I see you smile, oh yeah
Baby when I see you smile
Smile at me
@user-tl9xh5rw1w
Who still listening to this in 2024
@tonniewalls8890
Me 100% all the way and 2025 and on
@ColbyC711
Right here!!!
@CultLabyrinth
The 21st century is sadly lacking this awesomeness! Who else agrees?
@Spartan77
I agree. Most modern music pales in comparison. Heck, I am being too nice, modern music SUCKS in comparison.
@cindyforbey2931
Thats for sure
@chizzler2248
I am on the same page, the music today doesn't have the emotion that the songs in the 70's 80's had. I miss those days!
@justindominice8282
Because they don’t sing from their heart
@nancy8676
John Waite is still out there
@pygeekrfoo820
Listening in 2024. Thinking of simpler times, old friends and loved ones who have passed. Who’s with me?