"Wait" is a power ballad[3] recorded by White Lion and written by White Lion vocalist Mike Tramp and guitarist Vito Bratta. It was the lead single from their second album, Pride.
| "Wait" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by White Lion | ||||
| from the album Pride | ||||
| A-side | "Wait" | |||
| B-side | "Don't Give Up" | |||
| Released | June 1, 1987 | |||
| Recorded | 1987 | |||
| Genre | Glam metal[1][2] | |||
| Length | 4:00 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Mike Tramp, Vito Bratta | |||
| Producer(s) | Michael Wagener | |||
| White Lion singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
The single was released on June 1, 1987, but did not chart until February 1988. In May 1988, "Wait" finally cracked the top 10 in the US, peaking at No. 8, due in no small part to MTV airing its music video in regular rotation—nearly seven months after the single's release. The song also charted at #48 in Canada and #88 in the UK.
Music video
editThe music video featured Christie Muhaw of The Flirts, who died in a car accident less than a year after the video propelled the song into the top 10. Her death at only 24 years old made the song's lyrics especially poignant.
Background
editSinger Mike Tramp said,
There’s almost no origin to that song. The story goes, Vito started playing the riff and the very first word out of my mouth was “Wait." It’s one of the simplest lyrics I’ve ever written, but it’s also the perfect American FM song. It’s right up there with Journey, Foreigner and all those other classic songs. “Wait” was just one of those songs that worked really well in the studio and for the video.[4]
Versions
edit"Wait" featured an extended remix which was released as a bonus track on "Pride". The song was also re-recorded in 1999 on the album Remembering White Lion (also released as "Last Roar" in 2004) and a live version was released in 2005 on the White Lion live album Rocking the USA. The live version was released as a promo and later iTunes single[5] and also features as a bonus track on the bands most recent album Return of the Pride.
Track listing
edit- "Wait" – 4:00
- "Don't Give Up" – 3:15
Personnel
edit- Mike Tramp – Lead vocals
- Vito Bratta – Guitars
- James LoMenzo – Bass guitar
- Greg D'Angelo – drums
Charts
editWeekly charts
edit| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[6] | 48 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[7] | 88 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[8][9] | 8 |
| US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)[10] | 18 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (1988) | Position |
|---|---|
| United States (Billboard)[11][12] | 99 |
References
edit- ^ Bennet, J (February 13, 2015). "Cue the Guitar Solos, Here Are Ten Hott Hair Metal Love Ballads for Valentine's Day". www.vice.com. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ Begrand, Adrien (April 5, 2017). "36 Essential '80s Pop Metal Tracks". Stereogum. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ DiVita, Joe (November 9, 2016). "Top 30 Hair Metal Albums". Loudwire. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ Wood, James (September 5, 2012). "Interview: The 'Pride' of Mike Tramp". Guitar World. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "Wait (Live)".
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8696." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ "The Hot 100 : May 21, 1988 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
- ^ "Hot 100 - May 21, 1988". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Rock Albums & Top Tracks - March 12, 1988" (PDF). Billboard. Billboard. March 12, 1988. p. 15. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "1988 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 100 (52): Y-20. December 24, 1988.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1988". Retrieved October 3, 2016.
 | This metal song-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |