Why Must We Wait Until Tonight Explained

Why Must We Wait Until Tonight?
Cover:Tina_turner-why_must_we_wait_until_tonight_s-1-.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Tina Turner
Album:What's Love Got to Do with It
B-Side:"Shake a Tail Feather" (album version)
Released:September 16, 1993
Length:
  • 5:55 (album version)
  • 4:28 (single version)
Label:
Producer:
  • Bryan Adams
  • Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Prev Title:Disco Inferno
Prev Year:1993
Next Title:Proud Mary
Next Year:1993

"Why Must We Wait Until Tonight" is a song performed by American recording artist and actress Tina Turner for her 1993 What's Love Got to Do with It soundtrack album. The track was written and produced by Bryan Adams and Robert John "Mutt" Lange. It was released in September 1993 by Virgin and Parlophone, peaking at number 16 in the United Kingdom and number 25 in Ireland. In the US, the song reached numbers 97 and 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard described "Why Must We Wait Until Tonight" as "a pleading ballad, that derives much of its drama and intensity from La Tina's incomparable vocal style." He added, "Plunking piano/synth riffs click over a shuffling and percussive beat, with just a subtle touch of Hammond organ here and there to provide a blues subtext."[1] Troy J. Augusto from Cash Box stated that it is "a showcase for Turner's vocal prowess and should see no resistance at hit or adult radio formats." He also complimented the songwriters for "giving the ballad a dramatic grandeur that few could handle. Turner, of course, pulls it off with ease, the result is one of her most accessible single releases ever."[2]

A reviewer from The Daily Vault deemed "the sensuous rendering" as "almost as good", as "What's Love Got to Do With It".[3] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented, "The lyrics speak of fine wine, something that defines Tina Turner's amazing artistry—which just keeps getting better. Writers/producers Bryan Adams and Mutt Lange give her the words and the melody and she does the rest. By the way, if you're one of the few who haven't seen the movie What's Love Got To Do With It yet, do it tonight!"[4] Alan Jones from Music Week gave the song four out of five, stating that the singer "offers one of her more relaxed vocal performances" on a "pleasant" ballad.[5]

Track listings

  1. "Why Must We Wait Until Tonight?" (7-inch edit) – 4:30
  2. "Shake a Tail Feather" (album version) – 2:32
  1. "Why Must We Wait Until Tonight?" (single edit) – 4:31
  2. "Why Must We Wait Until Tonight?" (full remix) – 5:24
  3. "Why Must We Wait Until Tonight?" (album version) – 5:53
  4. "Shake a Tail Feather" – 2:32
  1. "Why Must We Wait Until Tonight?" (album version) – 5:53
  2. "The Best" (Jimmy Barnes Version) – 4:13
  3. "Shake a Tail Feather" (album version) – 2:34
  4. "Why Must We Wait Until Tonight?" (remix) – 5:23
  1. "Why Must We Wait Until Tonight?" – 5:53
  2. "Shake a Tail Feather" – 2:32
  1. "Why Must We Wait Until Tonight?" (7-inch edit) – 4:30
  2. "Why Must We Wait Until Tonight?" (Tony Dofat remix) – 5:23
  3. "Why Must We Wait Until Tonight?" (LP version) – 5:51
  4. "Why Must We Wait Until Tonight?" (Tony Dofat piano/drums/vocals only) – 5:16
  5. "Shake a Tail Feather" – 2:32
  6. "Why Must We Wait Until Tonight?" (acappella) – 4:28

Charts

Chart (1993–1994)Peak
position
scope="row"
scope="row"
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[6] 43
Europe (European Hit Radio)[7] 12
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
UK Airplay (Music Week)[8] 23
scope="row"
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[9] 10
US Cash Box Top 100[10] 83

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
United StatesSeptember 16, 1993Cassette, CDVirgin
United KingdomOctober 18, 1993Parlophone[11]
October 25, 1993CD2[12]

Notes and References

  1. Larry . Flick . Single Reviews . . September 4, 1993 . 63 . October 27, 2020 . Larry Flick.
  2. Troy J. . Augusto . Pop Singles: Reviews . . September 11, 1993 . 9 . November 3, 2020 .
  3. Web site: What's Love Got To Do With It – Tina Turner . The Daily Vault . July 23, 1998 . November 22, 2020 .
  4. Dave . Sholin . Gavin Picks: Singles . . August 27, 1993 . 74 . October 16, 2020 .
  5. Alan . Jones . Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles . . October 23, 1993 . 12 . April 3, 2021 .
  6. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 10. 46. 19. November 13, 1993.
  7. EHR Top 40. Music & Media. 10. 47. November 20, 1993. 28. April 10, 2024.
  8. The Airplay Chart. Music Week. November 20, 1993. 28. May 2, 2024.
  9. Bubbling Under Hot R&B Singles. Billboard. 105. 45. 35. November 6, 1993.
  10. Top 100 Pop Singles. Cash Box. LVII. 10. October 30, 1993. 10. April 22, 2024.
  11. Single Releases. Music Week. 29. October 16, 1993.
  12. Single Releases. Music Week. 21. October 23, 1993.