Released in June 1984, "Missing You" by John Waite is more than just a quintessential '80s power ballad—it's a masterclass in the art of emotional denial. As the lead single from his second solo album, No Brakes , the track famously hit in September 1984, ending the long-standing reign of Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do with It". The Story Behind the Song
: Before the shoot, Waite famously shaved his hair into a crew cut and bought a tiny, black European-style suit to give himself a distinct "European" edge. John Waite - Missing You (Official Video)
: Despite his confident look, Waite admits he was incredibly shy during filming, which inadvertently added to the "tortured" and vulnerable vibe of the performance. Released in June 1984, "Missing You" by John
The track’s creation was as spontaneous as its chart success. Waite co-wrote it with Mark Leonard and Charles Sandford and finished the lyrics in just . He later revealed that the song was an amalgamation of three major relationships in his life, including his then-failing marriage and a new love interest in New York. : Despite his confident look, Waite admits he
Directed by Kort Falkenberg III and filmed in , the video became an MTV staple. Its gritty, late-night urban aesthetic perfectly matched the song's themes of isolation and longing.
The central hook——is a classic case of a narrator lying to himself. While the verses describe a "heart that's breaking" and a "storm that's raging," the chorus desperately tries to convince the world (and the singer) otherwise. The Iconic Music Video
The song’s impact has lasted for decades, featuring in countless soundtracks like Miami Vice , Warm Bodies , and 22 Jump Street . In a full-circle moment, —the artist Waite replaced at the top of the charts in '84—released her own successful cover of the track in 1996. Waite also re-recorded a hit bluegrass-tinged version with Alison Krauss in 2007, proving the song's timeless emotional weight.