"Let's Wait Awhile" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her third studio album, Control (1986). It was released on January 6, 1987, by A&M Records as the album's fifth single. The song was written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with Melanie Andrews also serving as co-writer. It is also the first song Jackson co-produced. "Let's Wait Awhile" was inspired by conversations Andrews had with her childhood boyfriend, just young teenagers at the time. Through those conversations, she was inspired to write the lyrics. The lyrics discuss sexual abstinence and postponing sexual intimacy within a relationship until the time is right.
The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who praised the track's sweetness and Jackson's tender delivery. It was also praised for its meaningful message, considered to be a teaching tool to encourage sexual abstinence amidst the AIDS crisis at the time. In the United States, "Let's Wait Awhile" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts, while topping the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Internationally, it reached number three in the United Kingdom, where she made her debut on the BBC's Top of the Pops on March 26, 1987, and number four in Ireland, in addition to charting within the top 40 in several other countries. It has been included on two of Jackson's greatest hits albums, Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 (1995) and Number Ones (2009).
A music video for "Let's Wait Awhile", directed by Dominic Sena, co-stars martial artist and actor Taimak, and tells the story of a couple in love. Jackson has performed the song live on all of her tours, beginning with the Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990 through the Unbreakable World Tour (2015–16), receiving praise for her vocal performance. The song has been covered and sampled in numerous songs throughout the years.
Last Updated: June 12, 2021
