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Waiting for That Day
"Waiting for That Day" is a song by English singer-songwriter George Michael. It was released on 22 October 1990 in the United Kingdom via Epic Records as the second overall single from his second solo studio album Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990). Although enjoying positive critical reception, it was less successful than previous singles. In Michael's home country of the United Kingdom, it was his first single to miss the top-twenty of the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 23. The track also became his first single to miss the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100, hitting number 27 on 2 March 1991.[3] BackgroundAlthough Michael wrote the song alone, the chords and rhythm are very similar to The Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want". This title is included at the very end of Michael's song, and a co-writer credit was given to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The song also contains samples from the song "Funky Drummer" by James Brown. It was initially planned as the second US single from Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 before Sony, the parent company of his US label Columbia Records, chose "Freedom! '90" instead;[4] "Freedom! '90" had also been planned as the lead single from the album before Michael demanded for the somber-sounding "Praying for Time" to be released instead.[5] Critical receptionStephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic retrospectively named the song a "highlight" from Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1.[6] Andrew Mueller from Melody Maker felt it finds "the great chap in devastatingly ineffectual form."[7] Nick Robinson from Music Week wrote, "Possibly one of the singles of the year, this sad plea to a lost love coasts along on a "Funky Drummer" beat and mellow organ backing and ends perfectly with a "You Can't Always Get What You Want" chant. Not only is it a beautiful pop song but it also sees the talented song-writer adding a touch of creativity to a standard dance beat."[8] Chart performance"Waiting for That Day" debuted on the UK Singles Chart the week of 27 October 1990 at number 32. It reached its peak position of number 23 on 10 November 1990 and spent only five weeks in total on the chart; it became Michael's first single to miss the top twenty in his home country. As of October 2017, the single sold 61,000 copies in the country.[9] The track also had similar success in the United States, debuting at number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100 on 19 January 1991. Six weeks later, it topped out at number 27 and spent ten weeks in total on the chart. The track had its best success in Canada, where it was the only country it hit the top ten in. It peaked at number nine on the RPM Top Singles on 16 March 1991. "Mother's Pride"Although not an official single the track's b-side, "Mother's Pride" enjoyed significant airplay during the Gulf War, as it was used as a tribute to soldiers fighting in the war. It peaked at number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100 primarily due to airplay only. Track listingOn US and Australian releases, "Waiting for That Day" is re-titled as "Waiting for That Day / You Can't Always Get What You Want".
PersonnelTaken from the Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 booklet.[2]
Charts
References
Bibliography
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