Top Five Elements of John Waite’s “Missing You” Video
1. Waite kicking off the video by giving the overhead lamp a push, better to get the drama of an oscillating light.
2. Waite looking gaunt to the point of ill health.
3. Waite’s powder-blue suit, worn nonironically.
4. Waite singing the song’s chorus as he walks down a city sidewalk, eyeballed by pedestrians who seem more curious about the film crew than about him.
5. Waite hanging up a pay phone with such force that he pulverizes the handset.
There is actually a whole chapter about John Waite in VJ, the book I wrote with Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and Martha Quinn, coming out May 7th. It’s got passion, scarves, and the secret origin of “Missing You”–if you want to know more, you can order it from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Powell’s.
posted 8 April 2013 in Buy My Stuff and tagged John Waite, MTV, top five, VJ. 7 comments
April 8th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
6. Waite’s “no thanks” look to the encroaching lady (of the night?) at the bar
Actually, if I were ranking my favorite elements of the video, that’d be No. 1.
April 9th, 2013 at 8:19 am
When I was talking to those guys, Mark Goodman “let slip” that Nina Blackwood would have many interesting things to say about John Waite. I hope that stuff made it into the book.
April 9th, 2013 at 8:38 am
Tom, you will want to check out chapter 25, “Every Time I Think of You, I Always Catch My Breath”!
April 9th, 2013 at 8:39 am
Chris, judging by the YouTube freezeframe, that was the favorite element of whoever uploaded it!
May 29th, 2013 at 2:31 pm
Gavin, I bought & read the book. It’s great. As a kid, I was engrossed in watching MTV with my friends. It’s nice to hear some of the back stories. – Great job. – John
July 5th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
That suit is not powder blue, therefore not meant for irony wear, at least not 80’s irony. This video was made during the era of “Miami Vice Chic” so it’s more of a mint pastel blue/green/grey color. Ironic powder blue is from the 70’s and is strictly worn with a ruffled shirt, add black velvet lapels and giant black velvet bowtie for extra irony.
July 7th, 2013 at 6:11 am
For the record, this video predates the premiere of ‘Miami Vice’ by several months (song released June ’84, TV show premiere Sept. ’84). Not that pastel jackets weren’t already huge pre–Crockett and Tubbs.