Released in January 1987, “I Just Can’t Wait” was the debut single from Mandy Smith, who already made headlines due to her controversial relationship with Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman. The track was the first release on Pete Waterman’s new PWL Records, and produced by the powerhouse team Stock Aitken Waterman.
The Classic SAW Touch with a Splash of Jazz
Written and produced by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Pete Waterman, “I Just Can’t Wait” captures the upbeat synth-pop sound that defined late-’80s dance music: crisp drum machines, bright synths, and a hooky melody perfect for the dance floor. Mandy’s vocals, augmented by session singer Suzanne Rhatigan, blend into the polished production, creating a light, pop-friendly vibe. The lyrics are all about that eager, giddy feeling of anticipation and new romance.
From UK Disappointment to Euro Hit
Despite heavy media coverage, the single only reached #91 on the UK Official Singles Chart, spending just three weeks in the Top 100. But Mandy found greater success across Europe: it peaked at #9 in Norway, #14 in Switzerland, #16 in Germany, and #19 in Italy – and charted well in Japan. It also just scraped the charts in Australia, reaching #91.
A standout version—the “Cool and Breezy Jazz Mix”—earned praise as “one of the coolest records SAW ever made”, offering a more relaxed, Balearic-style take on the original.
A Cult Favorite from the SAW Era
Although Mandy Smith’s pop career was short, “I Just Can’t Wait” remains a cult classic among ’80s synth-pop fans. It’s remembered as a quirky but polished example of PWL’s early output, and continues to resonate thanks to its pure, upbeat pop charm. Mandy’s only album, Mandy (1988), expanded on this style, but it’s this single that stands out as the emblem of her brief moment in the spotlight.