Singer John Waite was hardly unfamiliar to radio listeners when his album No Brakes arrived in the summer of 1984. As lead singer for the British band The Babys, Waite's voice was the one on that group's hits "Isn't It Time," "Everytime I Think Of You," and "Back On My Feet Again," prior to their breakup in 1981. Waite's solo debut Ignition had misfired in 1982, failing to produce any sizable hits (although the single "Change" would belated chart in 1985 after appearing on the Vision Quest soundtrack and reach #54).

His career quickly regained moment with the release of No Brakes' first single - the ballad "Missing You." Already a staple at album rock radio, "Missing You" found an audience at soft rock and pop stations, too. Why not? The sentiments of the song, Waite's affective vocal, and an instaneously memorable melody and chorus made the song an immediate smash.

In late July, "Missing You" became Waite's first solo US Top 40 hit. As it was heading toward the Top Ten on the album rock and adult contemporary charts, the song was also rocketing up the pop charts. Five weeks after entering the Top 40, it broke into the Top Ten, becoming one of the summer's most popular ballads. In early October, "Missing You" reached the summit, topping the pop charts and the song remains one of the best-known pop songs of the period, continuing to be played on oldies and soft rock stations twenty years later.

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