Nu Shooz – I Can’t Wait
A synth-funk storm that turned anticipation into a global groove
When Portland duo Nu Shooz, made up of John Smith and Valerie Day, dropped “I Can’t Wait” in 1986, they weren’t just making a catchy track—they were rewiring pop music’s dancefloor DNA. Blending funk, R&B, and synth-pop into a seamless groove, the track became an instant staple of mid-’80s radio and club sets. But its journey to success started with a remix—and ended with international domination.
Sound: clean, syncopated, and impossibly slick
The track begins with one of the most recognizable synth basslines of the decade. Add in bright keyboard layers, stuttering sample hooks (that iconic “b-b-b-baby” intro), and drum-machine precision, and you’ve got a groove so clean, it practically sparkles. The remix by Dutch DJ Peter Slaghuis, released in February 1986, gave the original track its sharp, club-ready edge—using sampling in a way that would later influence artists across dance and pop genres.
John Smith’s production pairs sophistication with accessibility, balancing rhythmic complexity and melodic immediacy to irresistible effect.
Vocals: playful cool and effortless charisma
Valerie Day’s performance is all swagger and sunshine. Her laid-back phrasing rides the beat with ease, infusing every line with charm. It’s not overblown or melodramatic—it’s smooth and confident, the perfect voice for a track built on anticipation.
Lyrically, “I Can’t Wait” expresses giddy impatience for connection. It’s romantic without being saccharine, upbeat without being shallow—a pure vibe.
Chart climb: massive success by remix magic
Originally released independently in 1985 on Tha’s Right, the song found a second life after Slaghuis’s remix caught fire. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, and No. 1 in Canada, while landing Top 10 in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, and New Zealand. In Australia, it reached No. 11, and hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Club Play chart and No. 2 on the R&B chart. Certified Gold in the U.S., UK, and Canada, the song cemented Nu Shooz’s place in pop history.
Music video: surreal charm and animated flair
Directed by Jim Blashfield, the music video for “I Can’t Wait” is a surreal blend of animation and live-action, perfectly matching the song’s futuristic cool. The plot centers on Valerie Day seated at a desk, repairing a coffeepot, while tools and other oddities float in and out of frame. Her dog sits nearby wearing sunglasses, adding a touch of quirky charm. The video’s dreamlike visuals and whimsical tone helped cement its place as one of the more memorable clips of the MTV era.
Legacy: dance anthem turned pop cornerstone
“I Can’t Wait” earned Nu Shooz a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 1987, and its influence has rippled ever since. It’s been sampled by Vanessa Williams, Mann, Brian McKnight, Girl Talk, and countless others. A 2002 cover by Ladies First hit the UK Top 20, and the original re-entered charts in 2015, reaching No. 17 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Digital Songs chart.
Decades later, it still pulses on retro playlists and dancefloors worldwide—a time capsule of joy, polish, and pure groove