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.
tears
John Waite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess I'll never see the light
You turned another's thumb
And he makes your wrongs
Seem right
Out on some different wavelength
Somehow he brings you more
But sweetheart tonight
I'll see those tears
The damage they do
You're breaking my heart with those tears
I'll cry over you
Can we make a new start
Of all the girls I've had at my knees
You're the only one
That could bring me to these tears
A master of the beat
You've got my number in your hands
A killer on the streets
You've got your actions planned
But somewhere in your heart
There must be a place for me
Cause sweetheart tonight
I know for sure
I'll see those tears
The damage they do
You're breaking my heart with those tears
I'll cry over you
Can we make a new start
Of all the girls I've had at my knees
You're the only one
That could bring me to these tears
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
I'm looking at you
You're looking at me
You won't let me go
But you won't set me free
Of those tears
The damage they do
You're breaking my heart with those tears
Cry over you
Cry for you tonight
Cry you a river
I'm gonna cry for you tonight
I'm gonna cry you a river
Cry you a river tonight
(Cry for you)
I'm gonna cry for you tonight
(Cry for you)
I'm gonna cry you a river
(Cry for you)
I'll cry for you tonight
In this song, John Waite expresses his heartbreak and frustration that his lover has left him for someone else who seems to be able to make her happy. He feels abandoned and betrayed, and can't help but think that the grass may not be greener on the other side. He believes that the tears his lover sheds in their relationship will eventually lead to his own heartbreak but he is still willing to try and make amends, to make a new start, and to have a second chance with her. He pleads with her to see that he is the one for her and that there is still a place for him in her heart.
The personality of the new guy is also elaborated in the song, he is manipulative and crafty on the streets, and somehow brings the woman more, Waite, however, believes that the tears will soon damage their relationship to the point of breaking. In the end, Waite declares his undying love for his lover, stating that she is the only one who has the power to bring him to tears.
Overall, the song expresses themes of heartbreak, love, longing, and regret. John Waite's strong and emotive voice, combined with the poignant lyrics, captures the pain and sorrow of the situation, making it a memorable and touching song.
Line by Line Meaning
You left me here alone
You abandoned me and left me all by myself.
I guess I'll never see the light
I guess I'll never find happiness or hope in my life again.
You turned another's thumb
You gained someone else's approval or acceptance instead of mine.
And he makes your wrongs
Seem right
And he justifies your wrongdoings or flaws in a way that makes them seem acceptable.
Out on some different wavelength
Somehow he brings you more
You and him are on a different plane or level than I am, and he gives you something that I cannot.
But sweetheart tonight
I know for sure
I'll see those tears
The damage they do
You're breaking my heart with those tears
I am aware that eventually, you will cry and feel sorrow for your actions, but it may be too late as your tears are hurting me deeply.
I'll cry over you
Can we make a new start
Of all the girls I've had at my knees
You're the only one
That could bring me to these tears
I will weep for you and mourn the loss of our relationship. Is it possible for us to begin anew? Of all the women I have been with, you are the only one who has been able to make me feel despair.
A master of the beat
You've got my number in your hands
A killer on the streets
You've got your actions planned
You are an expert at manipulating me with your words and actions. You can control me whenever you want, and you have a clear plan of what you're doing.
But somewhere in your heart
There must be a place for me
Cause sweetheart tonight
I know for sure
I'll see those tears
The damage they do
You're breaking my heart with those tears
Although you seem distant and cold, I believe that you must still have some love or feelings for me hidden in your heart. However, despite the pain you're causing me, I'm certain that you will eventually cry and regret your actions.
I'm looking at you
You're looking at me
You won't let me go
But you won't set me free
We are both staring at each other, but despite that, you won't release me from this tumultuous relationship.
Cry for you tonight
Cry you a river
I'm gonna cry for you tonight
I'm gonna cry you a river
Cry you a river tonight
Tonight, I will cry and express my sorrow for you. I will cry an abundance of tears worthy enough to form a river, as I mourn the loss of our love and relationship.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOE FALSIA, STEPHEN SINCLAIR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Traldazda switch218
You left me here alone
I guess I'll never see the light
You turned another's thumb
And he makes your wrongs
Seem right
Out on some different wavelength
Somehow he brings you more
But sweetheart tonight
I know for sure
I'll see those tears
The damage they do
You're breaking my heart with those tears
I'll cry over you
Can we make a new start
Of all the girls I've had at my knees
You're the only one
That could bring me to these tears
A master of the beat
You've got my number in your hands
A killer on the streets
You've got your actions planned
But somewhere in your heart
There must be a place for me
Cause sweetheart tonight
I know for sure
I'll see those tears
The damage they do
You're breaking my heart with those tears
I'll cry over you
Can we make a new start
Of all…
Joe Petronglo
John Waite brought me here in 2021, he performed it live the other night, he’s still got it!
Snowstorm
Just saw him in concert. He can still rock at 65 years young! Great job Johnny!!!
sjdrummerboy
A magnificent track written by Vinnie Vincent
jimmycrackkorn
Damn, I miss rock, and the 80's!!!!!
This is a great song, too bad John waite will only be remembered for "missing you".
Thank you too whoever uploaded this.
George Estremera
Missing is relatable though. It's nice, for being close to bubble gum.
Daniel Burns
this song went to #37 on the pop charts in 1984!!!
Sheila Daniels
It should have went to #1!
Matt Surell
One of the all time great songs...
Chrysta Davis
is there any of my friends on here
mickrick84
What a grat 80's Pop-Rock song! Love it!