I'll Wait Explained

"I'll Wait" is a song by American rock band Van Halen, taken from their sixth studio album, 1984 (1984). It was written by band members Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth, along with Michael McDonald,^[2] and produced by Ted Templeman.^[3]

It was the second single released from the record and reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite the song being a hit, no video was ever filmed for it.

Writing and composition

The song was written as a collaboration between Van Halen and Doobie Brothers singer and yacht rock icon Michael McDonald, who was brought in by Templeman when David Lee Roth had trouble completing the melody and lyrics to the song.^[4] The song is in the key of D minor, having a moderate common time tempo of 114 beats per minute.^[5]

Like "Jump", the song features keyboards almost entirely, including a synthesizer bass line, and also features heavy use of Alex Van Halen's Rototom drum kit.^[6]

The song's subject was inspired by a woman wearing men's underwear in a Calvin Klein print media advertisement.^[6] Roth pinned up the ad beside his Sony Trinitron television and addressed the lyrics to the model.^[7]

The single's original cover featured the band posing in the same location where the cover for the "Hot for Teacher" single had been shot.

David Lee Roth and producer Ted Templeman wanted to remove the song from the album, while Eddie Van Halen and engineer Donn Landee pushed for its inclusion.

Reception

Cash Box said that "this mid-tempo solid rocker is sure to catch the ear of both heavy metal and pop fans" and that "lead guitarist Eddie Van Halen sculpts some masterful backing riffs, and also creates a thoughtful and tasty guitar solo."^[8]

Chuck Klosterman of Vulture.com ranked it the 43rd-best Van Halen song, noting its "mammoth drums, mammoth synth, not much verve or panache."^[9]

Track listing

US 7" single

UK 7" single/US 12" single

Personnel

• David Lee Roth – lead vocals
• Eddie Van Halen – guitar, keyboards
• Alex Van Halen – drums
• Michael Anthony – keyboard bass, backing vocals

Further reading

• Book: Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer's Life In Music. Ted. Templeman. Greg. Renoff. 350–1, 359–61. ECW Press. Toronto. 2020. 9781770414839. 1121143123.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Music Week. 18.
2. Web site: Ultimate Classic Rock. Giles. Jeff. March 2, 2014. How Michael McDonald Ended Up Co-Writing Van Halen's 'I'll Wait'. October 25, 2020.
3. Rolling Stone. J.D.. Considine. J.D. Considine. March 1, 1984. 1984. August 31, 2017. August 3, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110803035734/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/1984-19840301. dead.
4. Web site: Rolling Stone. 100 Best Albums of the Eighties, 81 Van Halen, '1984'. November 16, 1989.
5. Book: Van Halen Guitar Anthology. 143–7. Alfred. Van Nuys, California. 2006. 9780897246729. 605214049.
6. Billboard. Van Halen's '1984' At 30: Classic Track-By-Track Review. Gary. Graff. January 9, 2014. October 25, 2020.
7. Web site: 1984. Classicvanhalen.com.
8. Reviews. Cash Box. April 14, 1984. July 23, 2022. 14.
9. News: Klosterman . Chuck . All 131 Van Halen Songs, Ranked From Worst to Best A look back at the band's formidable legacy. . October 10, 2020 . . October 6, 2020.