Directed by Kort Falkenberg III and filmed in , the video became an MTV staple. Its gritty, late-night urban aesthetic perfectly matched the song's themes of isolation and longing.
: Despite his confident look, Waite admits he was incredibly shy during filming, which inadvertently added to the "tortured" and vulnerable vibe of the performance. John Waite - Missing You (Official Video)
: The video follows Waite as he sits alone in a sparsely furnished apartment, wanders through rainy streets, and unsuccessfully tries to reach his ex from a public phone booth. Legacy and Covers Directed by Kort Falkenberg III and filmed in
: Before the shoot, Waite famously shaved his hair into a crew cut and bought a tiny, black European-style suit to give himself a distinct "European" edge. : The video follows Waite as he sits
Released in June 1984, "Missing You" by John Waite is more than just a quintessential '80s power ballad—it's a masterclass in the art of emotional denial. As the lead single from his second solo album, No Brakes , the track famously hit in September 1984, ending the long-standing reign of Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do with It". The Story Behind the Song
The song’s impact has lasted for decades, featuring in countless soundtracks like Miami Vice , Warm Bodies , and 22 Jump Street . In a full-circle moment, —the artist Waite replaced at the top of the charts in '84—released her own successful cover of the track in 1996. Waite also re-recorded a hit bluegrass-tinged version with Alison Krauss in 2007, proving the song's timeless emotional weight.
The central hook——is a classic case of a narrator lying to himself. While the verses describe a "heart that's breaking" and a "storm that's raging," the chorus desperately tries to convince the world (and the singer) otherwise. The Iconic Music Video