“Let’s Wait Awhile” – Janet Jackson (1986)
“Some songs didn’t rush. They resonated.”
Janet Jackson, fresh off her breakout Control album, was no longer just Michael’s little sister—she was a force. With Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis behind the boards, she crafted a sound that was bold, personal, and unmistakably hers. “Let’s Wait Awhile” wasn’t just a ballad—it was a statement. Janet showed that intimacy didn’t have to be loud, and that restraint could be revolutionary.
This track was a soft-spoken anthem about patience, respect, and emotional depth. In an era of fast love and flashy hooks, Janet slowed it down and made vulnerability sound powerful. The lyrics didn’t preach—they invited. She wasn’t just singing about waiting—she was honoring boundaries, self-worth, and the kind of love that doesn’t rush the rhythm.
Musically, it was minimalist magic: gentle synths, warm pads, and a melody that wrapped around you like a quiet hug. It was the kind of song you didn’t just hear—you felt it in your chest.
Released in January 1987, but recorded in 1986, “Let’s Wait Awhile” became a quiet storm classic. It hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, anchoring Side A of Control with grace and emotional weight. At a time when pop was dominated by dance beats and neon energy, Janet carved out space for stillness.
This was the same era that gave us Nasty, What Have You Done for Me Lately, and Control—but “Let’s Wait Awhile” was the pause between the punches. It was the breath between the beats
Played in bedrooms, roller rinks, and late-night radio sets. It was the slow jam that made you think twice, the track that came on when the lights dimmed and the mood shifted. Whether you were cruising through Arlington or posted up in Bremerton, this was the song that made you stop, rewind, and reflect.
It lived on cassette tapes labeled “Slow Jams Vol. 1”, tucked into glove compartments, passed between friends, and played during those moments when words weren’t enough.
Because not every beat had to bang. Some had to breathe. Janet gave us permission to slow down, reflect, and honor the emotional rhythm beneath the surface. In a culture that often rushed intimacy, she reminded us that waiting wasn’t weakness—it was wisdom.
“Let’s Wait Awhile” became more than a song—it was a legacy move. A reminder that love, like music, needs space to grow. It taught a generation that boundaries could be beautiful, and that emotional clarity was just as powerful as physical connection.
🧠 Capsule Phrase
“Janet didn’t just control the charts—she controlled the tempo of our hearts.”