John Waite: The Man Who Turned Heartbreak into a Hit

May 19, 2026

If you’re a fan of the artists who quietly but decisively shaped the sound of the 1980s, you’re a fan of John Waite. John’s voice is instantly recognizable, and his biggest hit – “Missing You” – is one of the most emotionally deceptive songs ever to top the charts. 

If you had an older brother or sister growing up, chances are they passed down a few records from his earlier band, The Babys — chart regulars with tunes like “Isn’t It Time” and “Every Time I Think of You.” 

But it’s the ’80s where Waite made his individual mark as a solo artist. A 1982 single, “Change,” found its way onto the hit-packed soundtrack of the movie “Vision Quest.” Though not an original — it was written by legendary songwriter Holly Knight for her band Spider — “Change” cracked the Top 20 of Billboard’s Album Rock Tracks chart. 

In 1984, “No Brakes” became Waite’s second album. A song called “Missing You” struck a nerve and climbed to the top of the Billboard charts. Is it a love song? A breakup song? An anthem of independence? Fans and critics adore it because the entire hook hangs on a contradiction:  

“I ain’t missing you at all.” 

Is it about the divorce he was going through at the time? A current relationship? Waite himself hasn’t stuck to a single explanation over the years, which only adds to the intrigue and leaves the song open to interpretation. 

(One insider scoop: When original MTV veejay and former 80s Cruise host Nina Blackwood joined the Stuck in the ’80s podcast, she revealed Waite once told her the song was about her.) 

Beyond “Missing You,” Waite sits at a fascinating crossroads of the decade’s music — channeling the swagger of rock while stripping songs down to their emotional core. Like his colleagues Bryan Adams and Phil Collins, his tunes probed the emotional battlefields of longing and denial. There’s a lasting pull to songs like “Back on My Feet Again” and “Every Time I Think of You.” He eschews synthesizers in favor of organic instrumentation and direct vocals.  

He would reinvent himself again toward the end of the ’80s by joining the supergroup Bad English along with Journey’s Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain and former Babys bandmate Ricky Phillips. Bad English hit No. 1 again in 1989 with “When I See You Smile,” a song that feels drawn from the same emotional well as his solo work. 

“Sometimes I want to give up 
Want to give in, I want to quit the fight 
And then I see you, baby 
And everything’s alright.” 

On a cruise packed with big hooks and neon nostalgia, John Waite brings something slightly different: emotional depth wrapped in familiar melodies. When he launches into “Missing You,” remember: it’s not just a singalong. It’s a reminder of how complex ’80s music can be beneath its glossy surface. 

That’s his legacy. While some artists chased the biggest sound, Waite sought the most honest feeling. With “Missing You,” he didn’t just land a hit; he probed the essence of heartbreak and captured a feeling many of us strive to bury or forget. That’s what makes him such an essential voice of the decade and such a compelling presence on our annual voyage through time. 

(Steve Spears is the co-host and creator of the Stuck in the ‘80s podcast. His first book – “Stuck in the ‘80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined a Decade” – is an Amazon top seller. Steve and Brad Williams host Big 80s Trivia each year on The 80s Cruise.)