Let's Wait Awhile

"Let's Wait Awhile"
Single by Janet Jackson
from the album Control
B-side "Pretty Boy",
"Nasty" (Cool Summer Mixes)
Released January 6, 1987
Format
Recorded 1985
Genre
Length 4:37
Label A&M
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Certification Silver (BPI)
Janet Jackson singles chronology
"Control"
(1986)		 "Let's Wait Awhile"
(1987)		 "Diamonds"
(1987)

"Let's Wait Awhile" is a song recorded by American recording artist Janet Jackson, released as the fifth single from her third studio album, Control. It was written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with Melanie Andrews also serving as the co-writer of the track and it was also the first song Janet co-produced. Inspired by a conversation Janet had with a friend, the song speaks of sexual abstinence and postponing intimacy within a relationship.

The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who praised the track's sweetness and Jackson's tender delivery. It was also praised for its meaningful message, considered to be a teaching tool to encourage sexual abstinence. In the United States, it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary singles charts and became a number one hit on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Outside the US, it reached number three in the United Kingdom, where she made her debut on the BBC's Top of the Pops on March 26, 1987, and number four in Ireland, in addition to charting in numerous other countries. It has been included in two of Jackson's greatest hits albums, Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 (1995) and Number Ones (2009).

A music video for the song was directed by Dominic Sena and tells a lighthearted, accompanying story of a couple in love. Janet has performed the track in all of her tours, with the last two, the "Rock Witchu Tour" and "Number Ones: Up Close and Personal", receiving praise for highlighting her vocals. The song was covered and was sampled in numerous songs throughout the years, while also being featured on the soundtrack of a telenovela in Brazil. In 2004, Serbian singer LoOney and Lud samples Let's Wait Awhile in Geto Riba, from the 2006 album, U Ime Igre by Lud in 2006.

Background and recording

While writing for her upcoming breakthrough album, "Control", Janet Jackson's manager John McClain introduced to Jackson the record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to work and produce with her the majority of the album.[1] "Let's Wait Awhile was one of the tracks they penned together, along with Melanie Andrews. Jackson, Jam and Lewis also produced the track and provided rhythm arrangements, while the latter two with Andrews were responsible for vocal arrangements. Jackson alone provided digital bells and background vocals, while Jam and Lewis were responsible for drum programming, digital keyboards, acoustic piano and percussion. It was recorded and mixed at Flyte Tyme Productions, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota.[2] "Let's Wait Awhile" is written in the key of D major, set in a rock ballad tempo of 85 beats per minute. Janet's vocals span from the low-note of A3 to the high-note of D5. The introduction follows the chord progression of G–F♭7–D/E–E♭7-D/E-F♭7-A, while the verses follow the chord progression of G♭7-F♭7-G♭7-F♭7-G♭7.[3]

Composition and lyrical interpretation

"Let's Wait Awhile", written by Jackson, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Melanie Andrews, Janet's best friend, is a simple love song, as described by Jam and Lewis.[4] Lyrically, it talks about abstinence[5] and waiting until the right moment to have sex.[6] In her book True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself, Janet commented that she was inspired to write the track after talking to a friend about how he was unsure if he really wanted to have sex with his girlfriend, since she was sexually assertive and he was in doubt about his sexuality. She advise him to wait awhile and after that discussion she was inspired to write the track. "I connected that song to Todd and millions of young people who might need encouragement to think rather than act, to pause rather than move," she stated.[7] Jam further commented, "The theme of the song was Janet's idea. She's not a preachy person. She's not telling people how to live their lives. All she's doing is offering an opinion."[6]

In addition to serving as an anthem to sexual abstinence, the song also became a hit during the height of the AIDS pandemic.[6] Some school teachers adopted the song as a teaching tool to help steer students toward sexual abstinence.[4] The song was also a precursor to a sexually liberated Jackson who emerged on the Rhythm Nation 1814 track "Someday Is Tonight", a sequel to "Let's Wait Awhile", which can be looked at as Jackson's readiness to go further in their relationship.[8] On her album janet., several songs revolve around the theme of sexual intimacy as well.[8] On 20 Y.O., the track "With U" was written as a follow-up to "Let's Wait Awhile". According to the song's producer, Jermaine Dupri, "With U" takes place after the act of intimacy the two have put off, which results in "romantic confusion".[9]

Critical reception

"Let's Wait Awhile" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Ed Hogan of AllMusic saw the song as a "sweet soft departure from the hard funky veneer of [previous singles] "What Have You Done for Me Lately," "Nasty," and "Control."[4] Eric Henderson of Slant Magazine praised "how perfect her tremulous hesitance fits into the abstinence anthem 'Let's Wait Awhile', also noting that it "would've been a great place to end the album."[5] Norman Riley of The Crisis praised the track, calling it "pleasing and surprising".[10] Nelson George of Billboard picked the track as one of the album's highlights, calling it "somber".[11] Danyel Smith of Vibe praised the track, writing that "on the fragile [ballad], Jackson's tender, hesitant delivery conveys all of the trepidation and wonder felt by a young girl on the brink of losing her innocence.[12] Wendy Robinson of PopMatters praised the track for "showcas[ing] Janet’s ability to combine a gorgeous melody with a meaningful message."[13] Nick Levine wrote for Digital Spy that the "seemingly gooey '80s ballad has a hard centre," referring to the song's lyrics.[14]

Chart performance

The song became a success in the United States, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, behind Club Nouveau's "Lean on Me". It became Jackson's fifth consecutive top five hit on the chart. It also reached number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for one week, her fourth single to top the chart.[15] "Let's Wait Awhile" was placed at number 48 on Billboard's Hot 100 Year-End Chart of 1987 and at number 42 on the year's R&B chart. The single also peaked at number two on the Hot Adult Contemporary charts.[16] In the United Kingdom the song was released in March 1987 and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart a month later, spending ten weeks on the chart. It became her second top-three single there and her most successful at the time, along with "What Have You Done for Me Lately".[17] The single also peaked inside the top-twenty in Belgium, Canada, Ireland and Netherlands.[18][19][20][21]

Music video

The music video was directed by Dominic Sena and is set in New York City. The actor and martial artist Taimak Guarriello was cast to play Jackson's love interest after receiving a call from a modeling agent, who informed him that Janet wanted him to play her boyfriend.[22] The video follows Jackson and her boyfriend (played by Guarriello) going out for a romantic night on the town. In the middle of the video, her boyfriend wants to end the evening by taking their relationship a step further, but Jackson wants to wait until they are both ready.[23]

Live performances

Jackson has performed the song on all of her tours. It was performed on the 1990 Rhythm Nation 1814 Tour.[24] Jackson included "Let's Wait Awhile" during her Janet World Tour in 1993-95. During some shows, the singer asked a prayer to her brother Michael Jackson.[25] According to Greg Kot from Chicago Tribune, she sang it "as if to say she's still the one in charge" following her female-powering themes throughout her career.[26] During the 1998 The Velvet Rope Tour, she sang the song sat on a stool, accompanied by a guitarist.[27] The medley at the October 11, 1998 show in New York City, at the Madison Square Garden, was broadcast during a special titled The Velvet Rope: Live in Madison Square Garden by HBO. It was also added to the setlist at its DVD release, The Velvet Rope Tour – Live in Concert in 1999.[28]

For the performance of "Let's Wait Awhile" on the All for You Tour in 2001 and 2002, she was in the center stage to sing the song. Denise Sheppard from Rolling Stone called the number "mellow", and commented "Without question, [it was] one of the night's most beautiful and verklempt moments arrived out of nowhere forty-five minutes into the set. It was the first time that a break in the action occurred - no dancers, no music -- and as a close-up captured Jackson looking genuinely happy, the audience spontaneously burst into what became a five-minute standing ovation. Looking on, shocked by the sincerity of the moment, she shed sincere tears, simultaneously overwhelmed and overjoyed. 'I love you so much, Vancouver. Thank you'."[29] The February 16, 2002 final date of the tour at the Aloha Stadium in Hawaii, was broadcast by HBO, and included a performance of it. This rendition was also added to the setlist at its DVD release, Janet: Live in Hawaii, in 2002.[30]

For her first tour in seven years Rock Witchu Tour in 2008, she included "Let's Wait Awhile" in its setlist. Phil Gallo of Variety praised her vocals during the performance of the song, praising her "startlingly full-bodied" vocal performance on the track.[31] In contrast, Marsha Lederman of The Globe and Mail perceived that the performance was "a bit bumpy and she seemed to be struggling a tad as she held her hand up to her ear in an effort to catch the right notes."[32] On the Number Ones: Up Close and Personal tour, Jackson used a diamond-encrusted lavender gown to perform a ballad medley of "Nothing", "Come Back to Me" and "Let's Wait Awhile".[33] Annabel Ross of Sydney's "Everguide" praised Janet for "hitting some impressive high notes herself."[34] Joanna Chaundy of The Independent agreed, calling it "the highlight of the show's first half since her voice was more audible and still in fine form."[35] It is also included in her current 2015-2016 Unbreakable World Tour.

Cover versions

In 1987, the song was part of the international soundtrack of Brazilian telenovela "Brega e Chique" (English: "Tacky and Chic").[36] In 1988, smooth jazz/fusion guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. covered the song for his album I Came to Play. In 1989, jazz fusion saxophonist Nelson Rangell covered the song on his album Playing for Keeps.[37] In 1990, Hong Kong Singer Cass Phang covered the song for her album "With Love". In 1994, Booker T. & the M.G.s covered the song instrumentally on their album That's the Way It Should Be. In 2001, Ashanti covered the chorus on the Big Pun album Endangered Species. Destiny's Child sang the song live as a tribute to Jackson during MTV's MTV Icon special during the same year.[38] In 2002, smooth jazz guitarist Norman Brown covered the song instrumentally on his album Just Chillin'. In 2004, Australian actress Emily Browning covered this song. In 2005, Ilona Irvine covered the song on the compilation album Island Soul: A Way of Life, Vol. 1. In 2007, Filipino singer Nikki Gil covered the song, while the song's refrain is sampled by Melody Thornton on Jibbs' single "Go Too Far". In 2013, Justin Timberlake sang part of "Let's Wait Awhile" on his The 20/20 Experience World Tour.[39] In 2014, Amber Riley and Kevin McHale covered the song in the Glee episode "Tested".[40][41]

Track listings

U.S. 7" single
A. "Let's Wait Awhile" (remix) – 4:30
B. "Pretty Boy" – 6:32
UK and European 7" single
A. "Let's Wait Awhile" (remix) – 4:30
B. "Nasty" (Cool Summer Mix Part 1 edit) – 4:10
UK 12" single
A1. "Let's Wait Awhile" (remix) – 4:30
A2. "Nasty" (Cool Summer Mix Part 1) – 7:57
B1. "Nasty" (Cool Summer Mix Part 2) – 10:09
UK 7" single – limited edition picture disc
A. "Let's Wait Awhile" (remix) – 4:30
B. "Nasty" (Cool Summer Mix Part 1 edit) – 4:10
C. "Nasty" (edit of remix) – 3:40
D. "Control" (edit) – 3:26

Charts

Chart (1987) Peak
position
Australian Kent Music Report[42] 21
Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders)[18] 15
Canadian Singles Chart[19] 11
Dutch Top 40[21] 16
German Singles Chart[43] 34
Irish Singles Chart[20] 4
New Zealand Singles Chart[44] 26
Swiss Singles Chart[44] 27
UK Singles Chart[17] 3
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[45] 2
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[45] 1
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary[45] 2

End-of-year charts

End-of-year chart (1987) Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[46] 48

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
United Kingdom (BPI)[47] Silver 250,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Chart procession and succession

Preceded by
"Slow Down" by Loose Ends		 U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one single
March 14, 1987 		Succeeded by
"Looking for a New Love" by Jody Watley

References

  1. ↑ Hunt, Dennis (1987-01-25), "Harris and Lewis, Two Guys Firmly in 'Control'", Los Angeles Times, p. 81, ISSN 0458-3035
  2. ↑ Control (CD). Janet Jackson. A&M Records. 1986.
  3. ↑ "Janet Jackson "Let's Wait Awhile" - Digital Sheet Music". MusicNotes.com. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Hogan, Ed. "Let's Wait Awhile - Janet Jackson | Allmusic". Allmusic. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Henderson, Eric (October 30, 2003). "Janet Jackson: Control | Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 Johnson, Belma (June 6, 1987). "Safe-Sex Message Hits the Pop World : In the Age of AIDS, Has the Music Industry Found a New Social Consciousness?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  7. ↑ Janet Jackson; David Ritz (February 15, 2011). True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself. Simon and Schuster. p. 99. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  8. 1 2 Cinquemani, Sal (February 17, 2008). "Janet Jackson: janet | Album Review | Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Janet Jackson - 20 Y.O. | Entertainmentafrica Mobile". Entertainment Africa. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  10. ↑ Riley, Norman (October 1986). "The Arts: Music". The Crisis (The Crisis Publishing Company, Inc.) 93 (8): 11. ISSN 0011-1422. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  11. ↑ George, Nelson (February 22, 1986). "Rhythm & Blues". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc) 98 (8): 52. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  12. ↑ Smyth, Daniel (November 1995). "Revolutions". Vibe (Vibe Media Group) 3 (9): 110. ISSN 1070-4701. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  13. ↑ Robinson, Wendy. "Janet Jackson: Rhythm Nation Compilation". PopMatters. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  14. ↑ Levine, Nick (December 9, 2009). "Janet Jackson: 'The Best' - Music Review - Digital Spy". Digital Spy. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  15. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 282.
  16. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 123.
  17. 1 2 "Janet Jackson – Official Charts". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  18. 1 2 "Janet in Belgium". MJJ Charts. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  19. 1 2 "RPM weekly magazine". RPM. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  20. 1 2 "The Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. irishcharts.ie. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  21. 1 2 "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17 – 1987". Radio 538 (in Dutch). Top 40. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  22. ↑ Christian, Margena A. (March 24, 2008). "Where Is... Taimak". Jet: 38. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Janet Jackson- Let's Wait Awhile". YouTube. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  24. ↑ Kot, Greg (April 9, 1990). "Janet Jackson Spectacular As Tour Improves". Chicago Tribune (Tony W. Hunter). Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  25. ↑ Arnold, Chuck (February 1, 1994). "She's Just Actin' Jackson". Philly.com. Philadelphia Media Network. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  26. ↑ Kot, Greg (December 2, 1993). "Janet In Madonna Clothes". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  27. ↑ Daly, Sean (July 10, 1998). "Live Report: Janet Jackson kicks off 1998 Velvet Rope tour". Rolling Stone (Jann Wenner). Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  28. ↑ The Velvet Rope Tour – Live in Concert (Laserdisc, VHS, DVD). Janet Jackson. Eagle Rock Entertainment. 1999.
  29. ↑ Shppard, Denise (July 10, 2001). "Ms. Janet Jackson Gets Nasty". Rolling Stone (Jann Wenner). Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  30. ↑ Janet: Live in Hawaii (VHS, DVD). Janet Jackson. Eagle Rock Entertainment. 2002.
  31. ↑ "Review: ‘Janet Jackson’". Variety. September 18, 2008. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  32. ↑ Lederman, Marsha (September 11, 2008). "Janet Jackson 'has still got it'". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on September 14, 2008. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Live Review: Janet Jackson in Toronto". Winnipeg Sun. Stevenson, Jane. 2011-03-11. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  34. ↑ "Janet Jackson 'Up Close and Personal', Rod Laver Arena, Nov 3 - Everguide". Everguide. Ross, Annabel. 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  35. ↑ Joanna Chaundy (2011-07-06), "Janet Jackson, Royal Albert Hall, London", The Independent, retrieved 2011-07-06
  36. ↑ "Brega e Chique - Teledramaturgia". Teledramaturgia (in Portuguese). Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Playing for Keeps overview". Allmusic.com.
  38. ↑ Murphy, Gayl (2001-03-12). "MTV Names Janet Jackson an Icon". ABC News. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  39. ↑ "Is Justin Timberlake Ready to Apologize to Janet Jackson? - UPTOWN Magazine". Ward, M.L. Uptown. 2013-11-11. Retrieved 2014-04-20.
  40. ↑ "Glee: Tested - Season 5 2014: Artie Mercedes Sam Let’s Wait Awhile". Idolator. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Glee on Fox - "Let's Wait Awhile" (Full Performance)". Fox. 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2014-04-20.
  42. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, NSW, Australia: Australian Chart Book. pp. 150–151. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Music Report chart was licensed by ARIA until the commencement of the in-house produced ARIA Chart on 26 June 1988.
  43. ↑ "Musicline.de – Chartverfolgung – Janet Jackson – Let's Wait Awhile". GfK Entertainment (in German). Musicline.de. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  44. 1 2 "Janet Jackson – Let's Wait A While – swisscharts.com". swisscharts.com. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  45. 1 2 3 "Control > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  46. ↑ http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1987.php
  47. ↑ "British single certifications – Janet Jackson – Let's Wait Awhile". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 10, 2015. Enter Let's Wait Awhile in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search

External links

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