What You Waiting For?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "What You Waiting For?"" | ||
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| Single by Gwen Stefani | ||
| from the album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. | ||
| Released | UK: November 15, 2004 | |
| Format | 12" single Digital download |
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| Genre | Pop | |
| Label | Interscope | |
| Writer(s) | Gwen Stefani Linda Perry |
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| Producer(s) | Nellee Hooper | |
| Certification | Platinum (ARIA)
Gold (RIAA) |
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| Chart positions | ||
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| Gwen Stefani singles chronology | ||
| "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (2001) |
"What You Waiting For?" (2004) |
"Rich Girl" (2005) |
"What You Waiting For?" is a pop–dance song written by Gwen Stefani and Linda Perry for Stefani's debut solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby (2004). The song was well-received by pop music critics and was released as the album's first single in late 2004. "What You Waiting For?" reached number one in Australia and number two on the United World Chart.
The song was covered by Franz Ferdinand and features on the album Radio1's Live Lounge.
Contents |
[edit] Writing process
"What You Waiting For?" was co-written by Stefani and Linda Perry, and produced by Nellee Hooper. The lyrics describe how Stefani has conflicting feelings in the form of an inner dialogue with herself, with the more confident Stefani (who sings in a tough, strident tone) giving the nervous one (squeakier and higher) some tough love: "Take a chance 'cuz you might grow/ take a chance, you stupid ho". The nervous Stefani sings in the first person, while the confident one responds in the second person: "Naturally, I'm worried if I do it alone..." while the other responds, "Who really cares, 'cuz it's your life, you never know, it could be great".
The chorus acts as the kick in the pants that the fretting Stefani needs: "Look at your watch now/ you're still a super-hot female/ you've got your million-dollar contract/ and they're all waiting for your hot track". Finally, she starts to sound convinced, and even enthusiastic about what's in store: "I can't wait to go back into Japan". As the song winds down, the two voices merge.
In general, the song is referring to Stefani's lack of confidence in making her album, as she did not have the support of her No Doubt band members, and had to learn how to face things on her own. It has alluded that the song refers to Gwen's maternal instincts and her fear of having children, and whether her time may have passed. "What You Waiting For?" is also registered as "What Ya Waiting For?" ASCAP
[edit] Chart performance and critical reception
Although Stefani was no stranger to the music field (given her previous status with No Doubt and her guest spots on singles by Eve and Moby), much pressure was put on her as this was her first solo single ever. Released to radio on October 4, 2004 to initially strong airplay, the song proved unsuccessful in the U.S., and it reached number forty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100. The song topped the Hot Dance Club Play chart, but otherwise experienced limited U.S. success.
Internationally, the song performed better; it climbed to number twenty-four in Canada, while debuting and peaking at number four in the United Kingdom (as well as getting nominated for the annual Record Of The Year contest) and was a top-ten hit in many countries through Europe. "What You Waiting For?" debuted at number one in Australia, which was Stefani's only solo number-one at the time.
Because the song was released while Billboard magazine was changing its format, the song was already dropping and was not allowed to chart on the Pop 100 Airplay or Hot Digital Songs. It did manage to enter on the Pop 100 and Hot Digital Tracks (where it reached number four), but at the time its digital downloads were not allowed (for most of its chart run) to help the song on the Hot 100 or Pop 100. Nevertheless, "What You Waiting For?" was certified platinum by ARIA and gold by the RIAA.
"What You Waiting For?" received generally positive reviews from critics, most of whom agreed it was one of the album's highlights. Pitchfork Media gave the single 4 1/2 stars, and later declared it one of the best singles of 2004.[1]
[edit] Track listings
[edit] 5" CD single
- "What You Waiting For? (Album Version)"
- "What You Waiting For? (Jacques Lu Cont's TWD Mix)"
- "What You Waiting For? (Instrumental)"
- "Snippets/Gwen Stefani/L.A.M.B. (International Version)"
- "What You Waiting For? (Video/Director's Cut Explicit Version)"
[edit] 12" vinyl single
- "What You Waiting For? (Album Version)"
- "What You Waiting For? (Instrumental)"
[edit] Official remixes
- Album version
- Instrumental
- A cappella
- Jacques Lu Cont's remix
- Jacques Lu Cont's dub
- Jacques Lu Cont's TWD mix
- Jacques Lu Cont's TWD dub version
- Jacques Lu Cont's CWD mix
- Jacques Lu Cont's CWD dub
- Felix Da Housecat Rude Ho mix
- Armand Van Helden remix
- Armand Van Helden dub
[edit] Credits
- Written by Gwen Stefani and Linda Perry.
- Keyboards and guitar by Linda Perry.
- Programmed by Sam "LA More" Littlemore.
- Produced by Nellee Hooper.
- Mixed by Mark "Spike" Stent.
[edit] Charts
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Studio albums: Love. Angel. Music. Baby. · The Sweet Escape
Singles: "South Side" · "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" · "What You Waiting For?" · "Rich Girl" · "Hollaback Girl" · "Cool" · "Can I Have It like That" · "Luxurious" · "Crash" · "Wind It Up" · "The Sweet Escape"
Related articles: No Doubt
| Preceded by "Just Lose It" by Eminem |
Australian number-one single November 14, 2004 (2 weeks) |
Succeeded by "These Kids" by Joel Turner & The Modern Day Poets |
