Elliott Yamin, Wait For You | 1 Hit WONDERful

In the 28th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2025), we highlight “Wait For You” performed by Elliott Yamin. 

It only takes ONE hit to solidify a musical legacy ! On 1 Hit WONDERful, we highlight songs that were the SOLE hit by a given musician.  It is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, that ONE hit earned them recognition. So, in the 28^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2025), we dive into “Wait For You”, the one-hit wonder by Elliott Yamin.

“I never felt nothing in the world like this before / Now I’m missing you, and I’m wishing you would come back through my door.” Oh, the plight of love! Elliott Yamin did not win the fifth season of American Idol.  That would be Taylor Hicks.  Yamin also didn’t place second.  That would be Katherine McPhee. But he had a fabulous run on the show, finishing in third place, and eventually secured a record deal after not being signed by 19 Entertainment, associated with the show . Anyways, Yamin released his gold-certified album, Elliott Yamin, led by his platinum-certified single, “Wait For You”, in 2007.  “Wait” marked Yamin’s sole entry on the pop charts, peaking at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was written by Phillip “Taj” Jackson, who also provides background vocals, and the Norwegian hit-making duo, Stargate (Tor E. Hermansen and Mikkel S. Eriksen).  Stargate also produced it.

“Wait For You” was the perfect song for Elliott Yamin.  On this heartfelt ballad, Yamin’s silky smooth tenor shines over an R&B-infused backdrop. She’s gone, thematically. “Girl, you could have stayed, but you wouldn’t give me a chance,” Yamin sings in the first verse, continuing, “With you not around, it’s a bit more than I can stand.” The sentiments are similar in the second: “How can you walk away / I just can’t do it, baby.” In the pre-choruses, Elliott questions her decisions, begging in the second, “If you give me a chance, I can love you right / But you’re telling me it won’t be enough.” Damn, bro! The crème de la crème, the centerpiece, is none other than the chorus. If there was any part of “Wait For You” that mostly or solely earned it its accolades, it’s the chorus!

“So, baby, I will wait for you

‘Cause I don’t know what else I can do

Don’t tell me I ran out of time

If it takes the rest of my life…”

It seems, unfortunately, that Yamin will be waiting a lifetime… she gone! The talented singer brings it on “Wait For You”, which is one of the better hits to come out of American Idol.  Sure, he only struck gold once, but isn’t once better than never? Certainly!