| Waiting for the Punchline | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Extreme |
| Cover: | Waiting Punchline.jpg |
| Recorded: | 1994 |
| Studio: | Criteria Studios (Miami, Florida) Sound Techniques (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Genre: | |
| Length: | 65.35 |
| Label: | A&M |
| Producer: |
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| Prev Title: | III Sides to Every Story |
| Prev Year: | 1992 |
| Next Title: | Saudades de Rock |
| Next Year: | 2008 |
Waiting for the Punchline is the fourth album by American band Extreme, released in 1995. It is known by fans as a distinctively raw-sounding record with a significant influence from grunge, especially when compared to the big production of the two previous albums. Due to its lyrics focused heavily on social matters (ranging from religion to fame) it is often cited as a concept album. It is also the only Extreme record to feature drummer Mike Mangini (on three tracks). After the album's tour, Extreme disbanded in 1996 when Bettencourt informed the band that he was leaving to pursue a solo career. After the breakup, singer Gary Cherone joined Van Halen in the same year as their new singer, but left three years later.
All songs written by Gary Cherone & Nuno Bettencourt, except "There Is No God", "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" and "Naked" by Gary Cherone, Nuno Bettencourt & Pat Badger, and "Leave Me Alone" by Gary Cherone, Nuno Bettencourt & Mike Mangini.
| Chart (1995) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[1] | 51 | |
| Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)[2] | 13 | |
| French Albums (SNEP)[3] | 10 | |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon)[4] | 4 | |
| US Billboard 200[5] | 40 |