What You Waiting For?
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226076736
2008-07-16T18:51:10Z
Jamalar
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{{Infobox Single
| Name = What You Waiting For?
| Cover = Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For - CD cover.jpg
| Artist = [[Gwen Stefani]]
| from Album = [[Love. Angel. Music. Baby.]]
| B-side =
| Released = {{flagicon|USA}}[[September 28]], [[2004]]<br>{{flagicon|Europe}} [[November 15]], [[2004]]
| Format = [[12" single]], [[digital download]]
| Recorded = Home Recordings, [[London]], [[England]] and [[Henson Recording Studios]], [[Hollywood]], [[California]], [[United States]]
| Genre = [[Dance punk]]<ref>[http://www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/webpages/gwenstefanix09x11x04][http://www.ukmix.org/reviews/release.php?release_id=2537]</ref>
| Length = 3:41
| Label = [[Interscope]]
| Writer = Gwen Stefani, [[Linda Perry]]
| Producer = [[Nellee Hooper]]
| Director = [[Francis Lawrence]]
| Certification = Platinum <small>([[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]])</small><br />Gold <small>([[RIAA]])</small>
| Last single = "[[Let Me Blow Ya Mind]]"<br/>(2001)
| This single = "'''What You Waiting For?'''"<br/>(2004)
| Next single = "[[Rich Girl (Gwen Stefani song)|Rich Girl]]"<br/>(2004)
}}
"'''What You Waiting For?'''" is a song written by [[Gwen Stefani]] and [[Linda Perry]] for Stefani's 2004 debut solo album ''[[Love. Angel. Music. Baby.]]'' The song is the album's [[opening track]], and was released as its first single. "What You Waiting For?" details Stefani's lack of inspiration, fear of producing the album, as well as her reaction to pressures exerted by her record label. The song is influenced by [[electro (music)|electro]] and [[new wave music]], and introduces Stefani's four back-up dancers, the [[Harajuku Girls]], who had a major input into the album's production.
"What You Waiting For?" was released as the album's [[lead single]]; according to Stefani, as an "explanation for doing the record".<ref name="inspired"/> The single sold well, reached the top twenty in many countries, and topped the charts in both Argentina and Australia. It was certified gold in the United States, and was nominated for [[Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]] at the [[47th Grammy Awards]]. It was well received by critics, and was frequently cited as a highlight of the album. The song has been remixed a number of times, and was covered by the [[indie rock]] band [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand]].
==Background and writing==
During the night of the [[2003 Grammy Awards]], Perry forced Stefani into a [[chokehold]], and demanded that they were "gonna write songs together!". Stefani reluctantly agreed.<ref>Ives, Brian and Bottomley, C. [http://www.vh1.com/artists/interview/1495320/20050105/stefani_gwen.jhtml "Gwen Stefani: The Solo Express"]. [[VH1]]. [[January 5]], [[2005]]. Retrieved [[March 7]], [[2007]].</ref> Soon after, Stefani finished the Rock Steady Tour with her band [[No Doubt]], and took a call from her label, who informed her that Perry was in a studio ready to collaborate, and that she [Perry] "only [had] five days out of the whole year to work with [her]."<ref name="access">Morrisson, John. [http://www.accessmag.com/Archives/74-gwen.html No Doubt's Gwen Stefani Rocks Steady on Her Solo Debut, ''Love Angel Music Baby''"]. ''Access''. March 2005. Retrieved [[March 2]], [[2007]].</ref><ref name="blender">Levy, Ariel. [http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=1329 "The Coronation of Gwen Stefani"]. ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]''. December 2004. Retrieved [[March 2]], [[2007]].</ref> Stefani has since admitted that she was frustrated by not being able to see her husband [[Gavin Rossdale]], and was intimidated at the thought of collaboration, in particular with Perry, who she did not feel was qualified to write [[dance music]]. Stefani was exhausted by the recently completed tour,<ref name="access"/><ref name="blender"/> and shortly afterwords suffered an emotional breakdown, which she spent in bed crying.<ref name="access"/>
During their first day of work, the two wrote a song entitled "Fine by You", which Stefani later described as "a stupid love song, but really good."<ref name="cry">[[Eliscu, Jenny]]. [http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,,1402498,00.html "'I'll cry just talking about it'"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''. [[January 30]], [[2005]]. Retrieved [[March 7]], [[2007]].</ref> Perry remarked that the song "wasn't right," and the track was excluded from the album.<ref name="bg">Anderman, Joan. [http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2004/11/21/not_just_a_girl/ "Not just a girl"]. ''[[The Boston Globe]]''. [[November 21]], [[2004]]. Retrieved [[April 15]], [[2007]].</ref> The session was unproductive, due in part to Stefani's self-consciousness and [[writer's block]], and she at one stage broke down in tears in the studio.<ref name="scared">Vineyard, Jennifer. [http://www.mtv.com/bands/s/stefani_gwen/news_feature_112204/ "Gwen Stefani: Scared Solo"]. [[MTV News]]. Retrieved [[March 2]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>Soghomonian, Talia. [http://www.musicomh.com/interviews/gwen-stefani.htm "Gwen Stefani : interview"]. OMH. January 2005. Retrieved [[March 7]], [[2007]].</ref> Stefani has since admitted that writing songs without her band members felt "humiliating and intimidating even if they're sweet and excited, because you're drowning in their creativity."<ref name="scared"/>
That night, Perry began work on another track, which she played for Stefani the next day to motivate her.<ref name="cry"/> Stefani was impressed with the track, and Perry asked her "What are you waiting for?"<ref name="access"/> According to Perry, Stefani took the question as a dare, replying, "You're totally challenging me, right?"<ref name="bg"/> The two began writing lyrics for the [[New Wave music|New Wave]]-styled song based on Stefani's writer's block and fears about making a solo record, and it grew into "What You Waiting For?"<ref name="inspired">Vineyard, Jennifer. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1493633/20041110/stefani_gwen.jhtml "Gwen Stefani's Debut Solo LP Inspired By Insecurity And Japan"]. [[MTV News]]. [[November 10]], [[2004]]. Retrieved [[March 2]], [[2007]].</ref>
Stefani came up with the idea of the [[Harajuku Girls]] while writing the song. Stefani first saw the women of [[Harajuku]], known for their unique style drawing from [[Gothic Lolita]] and [[cyberpunk#Fashion|cyberpunk]] fashion, in 1996 and had admired them since.<ref name="cry"/><ref>Ahn, MiHi. [http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/feature/2005/04/09/geisha/index.html "Gwenihana"]. ''[[Salon.com|Salon]]''. [[April 9]], [[2005]]. Retrieved [[March 20]], [[2007]].</ref> She decided to mention them in the line "Harajuku girls, damn you got some wicked style," and the concept grew into a running theme on ''Love. Angel. Music. Baby.'', which went as far as to feature one song named after and dedicated to them.<ref name="cry"/>
It is a song related to "Alice In Wonderland".
==Music and lyrics==
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"What You Waiting For?" is a [[dance punk]] song composed in [[common time]] and in the key of [[G minor]].<ref name="sheet">Sheet music for "What You Waiting For?". [[Famous Music]]. 2004.</ref> It is written in [[verse-chorus form]],<ref name="sheet"/> and its instrumentation comes from the [[guitar]] and [[electronic keyboard]].<ref>''Love. Angel. Music. Baby.'' (CD liner notes). [[Interscope Records]]. November 2004.</ref> The song opens with an emotional [[piano]] solo as a tribute to Stefani's time with No Doubt.<ref name="sheet"/><ref name="lyrics">Vineyard, Jennifer. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1491456/20040928/no_doubt.jhtml "Gwen Stefani Battles With Herself On First Single From Solo LP"]. [[MTV News]]. [[September 28]], [[2004]]. Retrieved [[March 2]], [[2007]].</ref> The verse begins at only 60 [[beats per minute]] and gradually slows,<ref name="sheet"/> mixed with sounds of applause from the audience.<ref name="pitchfork">[http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/track_review/29983 "Gwen Stefani: 'What You Waiting For' [Track Review]"]. [[November 8]], [[2004]]. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2004]].</ref> A beat set at 138 BPM begins, and Stefani repeats the phrase "tick-tock", commonly interpreted as a reference to her maternal clock and the pressures she felt about producing the album.<ref name="sheet"/><ref>Vineyard, Jennifer. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1519189/20051222/stefani_gwen.jhtml "Gwen Stefani Confirms Pregnancy While Onstage In Florida"]. [[MTV News]]. [[December 24]], [[2005]]. Retrieved [[March 2]], [[2007]].</ref>
[[Image:WhatYouWaitingFor2edit.jpg|left|thumb|175px|Stefani performing the [[introduction (music)|introduction]] with low [[lighting]] and minimal dancing.]]
Stefani creates an argument between lyrical personas by alternating her [[vocal range]] and [[point of view (literature)|point of view]]. Stefani's vocal range spans nearly two [[octave]]s in the song, from G<sub>3</sub> to F<sub>5</sub>.<ref name="sheet"/> In a [[melody]] similar to that of [[Weezer]]'s "[[Hash Pipe]]",<ref name="drawer b">Greenwood, Eric. [http://old.drawerb.com/features/1106173438.htm "Gwen Stefani - Love Angel Music Baby (Interscope)"]. Drawer B Media. [[January 19]], [[2005]]. Retrieved [[April 14]], [[2007]].</ref> one side of Stefani's personality sings in a higher range in the [[first-person narrative|first person]], and the other, more confident personality sings lower in the [[second-person narrative|second-person]].<ref name="lyrics"/> During the verses, the more nervous personality discusses her concerns about leaving No Doubt for a solo career as well as the ephemeral success of female singers in the [[music industry]].<ref>Rosen, Jody. [http://www.slate.com/id/2111008/ "Gwen Stefani, diva clown."] ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]''. [[December 14]], [[2004]]. Retrieved [[April 14]], [[2007]].</ref> The [[refrain|chorus]] is a boost of confidence for her<ref name="lyrics"/> and continues the song's time motif with the lines "Look at your watch now/You're still a super hot female". Backed by perfect [[octave]] [[dyad (music)|dyads]],<ref name="sheet"/> Stefani sings a verse about her excitement for her future, and the two personalities merge into one during the [[coda (music)|coda]].<ref name="lyrics"/>
==Critical reception==
"What You Waiting For?" received very positive reviews from critics. [[Pitchfork Media]] gave the song a strong review, rating it four and a half stars, and labeled it "fucking great".<ref name="pitchfork"/> ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' noted the song's New Wave influence by stating that it could start a revival of [[Missing Persons]],<ref>Smith, RJ. [http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=3126 "Gwen Stefani : Love. Angel. Music. Baby. Review"]. ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]''. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2007]].</ref> and ''[[The Village Voice]]'' compared the "giddy, [[yodeling]] vocals" to those of [[Lene Lovich]]'s 1981 song "New Toy".<ref>Linden, Amy. [http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0450,linden,59190,22.html "The '80s Girl Inside Reveals More Doubts Than Boundaries"]. ''[[The Village Voice]]''. [[December 13]], [[2004]]. Retrieved [[April 30]], [[2007]].</ref> [[PopMatters]] was mixed on the song, calling the opening "awkward" and the refrain "ridiculously dumb", but arguing that the song "is so frivolous and stupid that it winds up being brilliant; it pretends to be nothing more than party [[bubblegum pop|bubblegum]] and achieves its artistic criteria beautifully."<ref>Damas, Jason. [http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/s/stefanigwen-love.shtml "Gwen Stefani: Love.Angel.Music.Baby. - PopMatters Music Review"]. [[PopMatters]]. [[November 29]], [[2007]]. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2007]].</ref> ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' agreed, stating that "it's this impishness that helps make 'What You Waiting For' one of the hottest 'arrival' songs of all time".<ref>Cinquemani, Sal. [http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=530 "Music Review: Gwen Stefani: ''Love. Angel. Music. Baby.''"] ''[[Slant Magazine]]''. 2004. Retrieved [[April 14]], [[2007]].</ref> [[PlayLouder]] found the track's production "crisp" and "edgy",<ref>Smirke, Richard. [http://playlouder.com/review/+loveangelmusicba/ "Gwen Stefani: ''Love. Angel. Music. Baby.'' (2004) review"]. [[PlayLouder]]. [[November 23]], [[2004]]. Retrieved [[March 6]], [[2007]].</ref> and [[LAUNCHcast]] called the song "itchily irresistible".<ref>Nine, Jennifer. [http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/041125/33/1xcq5.html "Gwen Stefani - 'Love, Angel, Music, Baby'"]. [[LAUNCHcast]]. [[November 25]], [[2004]]. Retrieved [[March 6]], [[2007]].</ref> Contactmusic gave the song a nine out of ten rating, commenting that it has "irresistible commercial pull and a [[melody]] to die for" and that the track "makes the most of her unmistakable vocal and reflects that off-the-wall Stefani personality perfectly."<ref>Volp-Fletcher, Jemma. [http://www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/webpages/gwenstefanix09x11x04 "Gwen Stefani - What you waiting for? - Single Review"]. Contactmusic. Retrieved [[March 20]], [[2007]].</ref> OMH Media gave the song a negative review, stating that "it'll become one of those tracks that's irritatingly catchy - but on this initial listening, Ms Stefani's debut solo effort is just plain irritating."<ref>Tripney, Natasha. [http://www.musicomh.com/singles/gwen-stefani.htm "Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For? (Interscope)"]. OMH Media. Retrieved [[March 20]], [[2007]].</ref>
Many reviewers considered the track one of the album's highlights. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave ''Love. Angel. Music. Baby.'' a C+ rating but called the track "one of the album's undeniable highs".<ref>Browne, David. [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,831435,00.html "Love. Angel. Music. Baby. | Music Review"]. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. [[November 23]], [[2004]]. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2007]].</ref> In its review of the album, Pitchfork Media said that "we can't expect 12 more cuts as personal or urgent as debut single 'What You Waiting For'...one of the best [[electro (music)|electro]] songs this year."<ref>Sylvester, Nick. [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/22321/Gwen_Stefani_Love_Angel_Music_Baby "Gwen Stefani: Love Angel Music Baby: Pitchfork Record Review"]. [[Pitchfork Media]]. [[November 24]], [[2004]]. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2007]].</ref> The [[BBC]] stated that it "stands out as the best track on the album for the way it pits storming beats against enthusiastic lyrics" and compared the song to [[Goldfrapp]]'s 2003 single "[[Strict Machine]]".<ref>Haines, Lisa. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/pp4h/ "Rock/Indie Review - Gwen Stefani, Love Angel Music Baby"]. [[British Broadcasting Corporation]]. Retrieved [[April 14]], [[2007]].</ref> Eric Greenwood of Drawer B Media, who said that the album "fails on every level", also commented that "if this album had even two more songs this immediate and catchy, then I'd stick my neck out for it, but, sadly, it's the only song worth listening to."<ref name="drawer b"/>.It was also performed in the Latest Buzz pilot episode dubbed as Glimmer.
==Chart performance==
[[Image:WhatYouWaitingFor1.jpg|left|thumb|175px|Stefani performing "What You Waiting For?" on the [[Harajuku Lovers Tour]].]]
In the [[United States]], "What You Waiting For?" debuted on [[October 23]], [[2004]] at number ninety-three on the ''[[Billboard]]'' [[Hot 100]]. It reached a peak at number forty-seven on [[December 4]], [[2004]] and remained on the chart for a total of twenty weeks.<ref name="ms">[http://www.musicsquare.net/charts/song/603 "Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For?: Charts"]. Music Square. Retrieved [[March 6]], [[2007]].</ref> The song topped the [[Hot Dance Music/Club Play]] chart, but only had moderate success on the pop charts, reaching number seventeen on the [[Top 40 Mainstream]] and number twenty-four on the [[Adult Top 40]].<ref name="AMG">[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kk8gtq3zxu48~T31 "Love.Angel.Music.Baby. > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles"]. [[Allmusic]]. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2007]].</ref> The song was certified gold by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] in February 2005.<ref>[http://www.riaa.com/gp/database/search_results.asp "Gold & Platinum"]. [[Recording Industry Association of America]]. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2007]].</ref> Additionally, the song was nominated for best [[Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]] at the [[2005 Grammy Awards]], but lost to [[Norah Jones]]' "Sunrise".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4262875.stm "Grammy Awards 2005: Key winners"]. [[BBC News]]. [[February 14]], [[2005]]. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2007]].</ref>
[[Image:GwenStefaniJonesBeach.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Stefani closed performances on the 2007 [[Sweet Escape Tour]] by performing "What You Waiting For?" during an [[encore (concert)|encore]].]]
Elsewhere, the song's reception was stronger. In [[Canada]], it debuted in the top forty on the [[Canadian Singles Chart|singles chart]] before reaching number twenty-four in January 2005.<ref name="T40C">[http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=11779&sort=chartid "Gwen Stefani What You Waiting For"]. Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved [[March 2]], [[2007]].</ref> It debuted at number four in the [[United Kingdom]] and remained on the chart for fifteen weeks, unable to reach a higher position.<ref name="ms"/> The single performed well across most of [[Europe]], reaching the top ten in [[Austria]], [[Belgium]], [[Denmark]], [[Finland]], [[France]], [[Ireland]], [[Italy]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Norway]], [[Russia]], and [[Sweden]].<ref name="T40C"/> In [[Latin America]] the single debuted at number fourteen on [[December 19]], [[2004]]<ref>[http://toplatino.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=42 "Ranking del 19 de diciembre del 2004 (Semana 51)"]. Top Latino. Retrieved [[April 19]], [[2007]].</ref> and peaked at number six four weeks later.<ref name="la">[http://toplatino.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=48 "Ranking del 16 de enero del 2005 (Semana 02)"]. Top Latino. Retrieved [[April 19]], [[2007]].</ref> On the United World Chart, the track debuted at number thirty-four on [[November 27]], [[2004]] and reached the top ten two weeks later.<ref name="ms"/> The song spent sixteen weeks in the top ten, peaking at number two under [[Destiny's Child]]'s "[[Lose My Breath]]", and left the chart after [[April 16]], [[2005]].<ref name="ms"/><ref>[http://www.musicsquare.net/charts/world_singles_top_40/2005/04 "World Singles Top 40 (04/2005): Charts"]. Music Square. Retrieved [[April 14]], [[2007]].</ref> The song garnered 2 million+ United World Chart points during its charting period. <ref>[http://www.mediatraffic.de/tracks-week05-2005.htm "United World Chart Week 5, 2005"] ''mediatraffic.de'' Retrieved [[October 27]], [[2007]]</ref>
In [[Australia]], the single debuted at the top of the [[ARIA Singles Chart]] on [[November 22]], [[2004]] and stayed there for two weeks. It stayed within the top three through [[January 17]], [[2005]] and dropped off the chart after fifteen weeks.<ref name="ms"/> The single was certified platinum by the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]].<ref>[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-2004.htm "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2004 Singles"]. [[Australian Recording Industry Association]]. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2007]].</ref> On the 2004 end-of-year chart, the song charted at number twenty-six<ref>[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2004.htm "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2004"]. [[Australian Recording Industry Association]]. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2007]].</ref> and topped the dance chart.<ref>[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-dance-singles-2004.htm "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Dance Singles 2004"]. [[Australian Recording Industry Association]]. Retrieved [[September 5]], [[2007]].</ref> The next year, it was listed at number forty on the singles chart<ref>[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2005.htm "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2005"]. [[Australian Recording Industry Association]]. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2007]].</ref> and number four on the dance chart.<ref>[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-dance-singles-2005.htm "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Dance Singles 2005"]. [[Australian Recording Industry Association]]. Retrieved [[September 5]], [[2007]].</ref> The single reached number three on [[New Zealand]]'s [[RIANZ]] Singles Chart and remained four months on the chart.<ref>[http://charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Gwen+Stefani&titel=What+You+Waiting+For%3F&cat=s "Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For?"]. Charts.org.nz. Retrieved [[April 8]], [[2007]].</ref>
==Music video==
The song's [[music video]] was directed by [[Francis Lawrence]] and produced by Caleb Dewart of DNA Inc.<ref>[http://www.muchmusic.com/events/mmva05/nominees/ "MMVA 05"]. [[MuchMusic]]. Retrieved [[April 14]], [[2007]].</ref> The video deals directly with the lyrics' theme of Stefani's search for inspiration in songwriting. It opens with a lengthy non-musical section in which Stefani arrives in [[Los Angeles]] off of No Doubt's ''Rock Steady'' tour. While still enroute to her house to finish decompressing Stefani receives a call from manager [[Jimmy Iovine]] who is already attempting to push her forward with her solo debut project. Stefani's reply is that she is both tired and uninspired. Cut to: one month later. Gwen's manager awakens her with a late-morning call and once again exhorts her to get to work.
After a dismal and abysmal studio attempt, Stefani goes to the break room and sees a bulletin-board flyer advertising help for writer's block. Upon arrival she fills out a very unusual questionnaire that is brimming with irrelevant absurdities such as, "Do you like the smell of gasoline?" She's told that she'll be billed "when you are finished". She asks for clarification only to discover that she is already back in the studio by herself. There is now an oversized pocket watch resting on the piano. It reads 1:00 P.M. or 1300h or, more appropriately for what happens next, the whimsical and non-sensical "Thirteen O'Clock". A tiny ceramic rabbit-shaped knick-knack then comes trotting tappingly across the top of the large black Steinway piano toward her, causing Gwen to fall back on her chair and suddenly find herself transported to a very brightly-colored, vividly-realized fantasy world based on ''[[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland]]'' and ''[[Through the Looking-Glass]]''.
[[Image:WhatYouWaitingForVideo3.PNG|thumb|left|Stefani in the music video for "What You Waiting For?"]]
Stefani portrays several characters from the books, including [[Alice (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)|Alice]], the White Queen and the Red Queen, in dresses by British-[[Gibraltar]]ian [[fashion design]]er [[John Galliano]].<ref>[http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,732983,00.html "The Must List | Must List | News + Notes"]. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. [[October 29]], [[2004]]. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2007]].</ref> The video frequently cuts to Stefani back in the studio to show her singing and performing in semi-synchronization with her actions within her fantasy-world. As this transpires the song is recording itself both electronically and in printed form as well. Stefani ultimately rediscovers her confidence, and her full awareness is transported back to the ordinary reality of the studio just as she completes an uninhibited series of gyrations in front of her four modestly-giggling Harajuku Girls. She then is presented with her bill by the labcoat-clad Japanese female consultant as an unoccupied wooden chair in the background mysteriously topples to the floor with a clatter.
The music video was well-received by many reviewers. ''[[Stylus Magazine]]'' referred to it as a [[short film]], comparing it to [[Michael Jackson]]'s "[[Thriller (music video)|Thriller]]", and commented "I sigh with admiration and wish every video was this alive."<ref>Bloch, Sam. [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/pop_playground/stylus-videodrome-volume-iii.htm "Stylus Videodrome, Volume III"]. ''[[Stylus Magazine]]''. Retrieved [[April 4]], [[2007]].</ref> The video debuted on [[MTV]]'s ''[[Total Request Live]]'' on [[October 18]], [[2004]] at number eleven.<ref name="TRL">[http://host17.hrwebservices.net/~atrl/trlarchive/db.html "The TRL Archive - Debuts"]. Popfusion. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2007]].</ref> It reached the top of the chart and was there for three non-consecutive days,<ref>[http://www.popfusion.net/records/recaparchive/2004_11.html "The TRL Archive - Recap - November 2004"]. Popfusion. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2007]].</ref> remaining over five weeks on the program.<ref name="TRL"/> At the 2005 [[MTV Video Music Awards]], the video was nominated for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]] and won the award for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction|Best Art Direction]].<ref>[http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/2005/2005mtvv.htm "Past Winners Database"]. ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. 2005. Retrieved [[March 3]], [[2007]].</ref> In Canada, it only reached number eleven on the [[MuchMusic]]'s ''[[Countdown (MuchMusic TV series)|Countdown]]'', though it remained on the chart for eight weeks.<ref name="T40C"/> At the 2005 [[MuchMusic Video Awards]], the video was nominated for Best International Video but lost to [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]]'s "[[Caught Up (Usher song)|Caught Up]]".<ref>[http://www.muchmusic.com/events/mmva05/winners/ "MMVA 05"]. [[MuchMusic]]. Retrieved [[April 14]], [[2007]].</ref> It won the award for Best Dressed Video at the first [[MTV Australia Video Music Awards]].<ref>Alexander, Harriet. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/Music/Pop-goes-MTV-as-the-Idol-generation-votes/2005/03/03/1109700610477.html "Pop goes MTV as the Idol generation votes"]. ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]''. [[March 4]], [[2005]]. Retrieved [[April 16]], [[2007]].</ref>
==Alternate versions==
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{{multi-listen end}}
{{sample box end}}
[[Stuart Price]] (a.k.a Jacques Lu Cont) made the most well-known [[remix]] of the song, titled the "Thin White Duke Mix", which was included on the [[CD single]]. The track, over eight minutes long, is carried by a [[guitar riff]] and occasional [[chimes]].<ref name="about">[http://dancemusic.about.com/od/reviews/fr/GwenSWYWFRev.htm "Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For (The Remixes)"]. [[About.com]]. Retrieved [[April 14]], [[2007]].</ref> The remix received positive reviews from music critics. Pitchfork Media labeled it "outstanding",<ref>Mandel, Aaron. [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/33981-fischerspooners-new-album-set-for-april-release "Fischerspooner's New Album Set for April Release"]. [[Pitchfork Media]]. [[January 24]], [[2005]]. Retrieved [[April 14]], [[2007]].</ref> and ''Stylus Magazine'' stated that it "endowed [the song] with a sense of grandeur".<ref>Cunningham, John M. [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/feature.php?ID=2064 "Top 10 Remixes of 2005"]. ''[[Stylus Magazine]]''. [[December 30]], [[2005]]. Retrieved [[April 14]], [[2007]].</ref> [[About.com]] found the remix "moody and a bit [[hypnosis|hypnotic]]", commenting that it is "best suited for early-evening sets." [[Armand Van Helden]] created two remixes, the Armand Van Helden Remix and the Armand Van Helden Dub, which use only some of the original vocals and a new [[bassline]] constructed with [[synthesizer]]s and some [[electric guitar]]. [[Felix da Housecat]] created the Rude Ho Mix, which uses more [[bass guitar]] and leaves out the original [[background vocals]] by Mimi Parker until the final verse.<ref name="about"/>
[[Alex Kapranos]], guitarist and lead singer of [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[indie rock]] band [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand]], has worn a Gwen Stefani pin on a [[Members Only]] Jacket as a tribute to "What You Waiting For?".<ref>Hiatt, Brian. [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/franzferdinand/articles/story/7662932/hot_scots "Hot Scots"]. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. [[September 22]], [[2005]]. Retrieved [[April 14]], [[2007]].</ref> In [[December 2005]], the band performed a [[cover version]] of the song on [[Live Lounge]], a segment of ''[[The Jo Whiley Show]]'' on [[BBC Radio 1]]. The cover includes the chorus from [[Billy Idol]]'s 1983 song "[[White Wedding (song)|White Wedding]]". In [[October 2006]], the song was released as a part of the ''[[Radio 1's Live Lounge]]'' compilation, and the cover received mixed reviews. IndieLondon called the track "completely insane", stating that it "really has to be heard to be believed."<ref>[http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Music-Review/live-lounge-radio-1-review "Live Lounge (Radio 1) - Review"]. IndieLondon. Retrieved [[April 14]], [[2007]].</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' found the cover smug, commenting that "one of Alex Kapranos's eyebrows [is] raised so high that it practically vacates his head."<ref>Lynskey, Dorian. [http://music.guardian.co.uk/pop/story/0,,1922083,00.html "If hit ain't broke"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''. [[October 13]], [[2006]]. Retrieved [[April 14]], [[2007]].</ref>
== Track listings ==
'''CD single'''
# "What You Waiting For?" (Album Version) -3:43
# "What You Waiting For?" ([[Jacques Lu Cont]]'s Thin White Duke Mix) -8:02
# "What You Waiting For?" (Jacques Lu Cont's Thin White Duke Dub) -8:22
# "What You Waiting For?" Video (Director's Cut)
'''US & UK (Promo) CD single'''
# "What You Waiting For?" (Clean Edit)
==Credits and personnel==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
* Lead [[vocals]]: Gwen Stefani
* [[Record producer|Producer]]s: Nellee Hooper, Linda Perry
* [[Recording engineer]]s: Greg Collins, Ian Rossiter
* [[Programming (music)|Programmer]]: Samuel Littlemore
* Assistant engineer: Keving Mills
* [[Guitar]]: Linda Perry, [[Rusty Anderson]]
{{col-2}}
* [[Electronic keyboard|Keyboard]]s: Linda Perry
* Background vocals: Mimi (Audia) Parker
* [[Audio mixing]]: [[Mark "Spike" Stent]]
* Assistant engineer: David Treaheam
* Second assistant engineer: Rob Haggett
{{col-end}}
==Charts==
{| width="0%"
|- valign="top"
| width="50%" |
{|class="wikitable"
!align="left"|Chart (2004)<ref name="AMG"/><ref name="T40C"/><ref>[http://www.top40argentina.com.ar/2004.htm "Top 40 Argentina"]. Top 40 Argentina. Retrieved [[March 16]], [[2007]].</ref>
!align="center"|Peak<br />position
|-
|align="left"|Argentina Top 40 Singles
|align="center"|1
|-
|align="left"|Australian [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]] Singles Chart
|align="center"|1
|-
|align="left"|Austrian Singles Chart
|align="center"|7
|-
|align="left"|Belgium Singles Chart<ref>[http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=11779&sort=chartid Gwen Stefani What You Waiting For @ Top40-Charts.com - 40 Top 20 & Top 40 Music Charts from 25 Countries<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|align="center"|8
|-
|align="left"|Danish Singles Chart<ref>[http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=11779&sort=chartid Gwen Stefani What You Waiting For @ Top40-Charts.com - 40 Top 20 & Top 40 Music Charts from 25 Countries<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|align="center"|2
|-
|align="left"|Dutch Singles Chart
|align="center"|10
|-
|align="left"|Euro 200 Singles Chart<ref>[http://euro200.eu.mialias.net/Euro-p2.htm APCCHART.COM © since 1988 APC-stats EU/UE<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|align="center"|5
|-
|align="left"|European Top 100 Singles<ref>[http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=11779&sort=chartid Gwen Stefani What You Waiting For @ Top40-Charts.com - 40 Top 20 & Top 40 Music Charts from 25 Countries<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
|align="left"|[[MTV]] European Top 20 Singles<ref>[http://ki.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de/~topsi/mtv2005/mtv_220105.html INFINITY CHARTS: MTV's European Top 20<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
|align="left"|Finnish Singles Chart
|align="center"|4
|-
|align="left"|German Singles Chart
|align="center"|22
|-
|align="left"|Greek Singles Chart
|align="center"|18
|-
|align="left"|Norwegian Singles Chart
|align="center"|3
|-
|align="left"|South African Singles Chart<ref>[http://www.mariah-charts.com/chartdata/PGwenStefani.htm Chart Data: Gwen Stefani<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
|align="left"|Swiss Singles Chart
|align="center"|17
|-
|align="left"|UK Singles Chart
|align="center"|4
|-
|align="left"|United World Chart
|align="center"|2
|-
|align="left"|United World Chart (Airplay)<ref>[http://www.mariah-charts.com/chartdata/PGwenStefani.htm Chart Data: Gwen Stefani<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|align="center"|4
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100
|align="center"|47
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' Adult Top 40
|align="center"|24
|}
| width="50%" |
{|class="wikitable"
!align="left"|Chart (2004)<ref name="AMG"/><ref name="T40C"/><ref name="la"/>
!align="center"|Peak<br />position
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot Dance Club Play
|align="center"|1
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot Dance Single Sales
|align="center"|5
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' Top 40 Mainstream
|align="center"|17
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' Top 40 Tracks
|align="center"|22
|-
!align="left"|Chart (2005)
!align="center"|Peak<br />position
|-
|align="left"|Canadian Singles Chart
|align="center"|24
|-
|align="left"|Chile Top 100 Chart<ref>[http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=11779&sort=chartid Gwen Stefani What You Waiting For @ Top40-Charts.com - 40 Top 20 & Top 40 Music Charts from 25 Countries<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|align="center"|7
|-
|align="left"|Chinese Singles Chart<ref>[http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=11779&sort=chartid Gwen Stefani What You Waiting For @ Top40-Charts.com - 40 Top 20 & Top 40 Music Charts from 25 Countries<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
|align="left"|French Singles Chart
|align="center"|5
|-
|align="left"|Irish Singles Chart
|align="center"|2
|-
|align="left"|Italian Singles Chart
|align="center"|2
|-
|align="left"|Latin America Top 40
|align="center"|6
|-
|align="left"|New Zealand [[RIANZ]] Singles Chart
|align="center"|3
|-
|align="left"|Russian Singles Chart<ref>[http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=11779&sort=chartid Gwen Stefani What You Waiting For @ Top40-Charts.com - 40 Top 20 & Top 40 Music Charts from 25 Countries<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|align="center"|4
|-
|align="left"|Swedish Singles Chart
|align="center"|6
|-
|align="left"|Ukrainian Singles Chart<ref>[http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=11779&sort=chartid Gwen Stefani What You Waiting For @ Top40-Charts.com - 40 Top 20 & Top 40 Music Charts from 25 Countries<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|align="center"|13
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' Pop 100
|align="center"|14
|}
|}
{{start box}}
{{succession box
| before = "[[Just Lose It]]" by [[Eminem]]
| title = [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA (Australia)]] number one single
| years = [[November 14]] [[2004]]–[[November 21]] [[2004]]
| after = "[[These Kids]]" by [[Joel Turner & The Modern Day Poets]]
}}
{{succession box
| before = "[[Walk into the Sun]]" by [[Dirty Vegas]]
| title = [[Hot Dance Club Play|''Billboard'' Hot Dance Club Play]] number one single
| years = [[December 25]] [[2004]]–[[January 1]] [[2005]]
| after = "[[Lose My Breath]]" by [[Destiny's Child]]
}}
{{end box}}
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
*[http://www.gwenstefani.com/ Gwen Stefani's official site]
**[http://www.gwenstefani.com/lyrics.aspx?pid=74&tid=910 "What You Waiting For?" lyrics]
**[http://www.gwenstefani.com/music/default.aspx?pid=74 ''Love. Angel. Music. Baby.'' audio]
* {{Youtube|o9JcjVwb5Zk|"What You Waiting For?" music video}}
{{featuredarticle}}
{{Gwen Stefani}}
[[Category:2000s pop songs]]
[[Category:2004 singles]]
[[Category:Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one singles]]
[[Category:Dance-pop songs]]
[[Category:Debut singles]]
[[Category:Gwen Stefani songs]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Australia]]
[[Category:pop rock songs]]
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