Introduction
“Missing You,” originally a chart‑topping pop hit by John Waite in 1984, was penned by Waite alongside songwriters Mark Leonard and Chas Sandford . A decade and a half later, country super‑duo Brooks & Dunn brought it into the country sphere, releasing their cover in August 1999 as the lead single from their sixth studio album, Tight Rope .
Brooks & Dunn—Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn—had dominated the ’90s country scene with a blend of rambunctious honky‑tonk and soulful ballads, earning widespread acclaim and numerous awards . Yet by 1999 their momentum had slowed, and Tight Rope marked a deliberate departure: their first album not to achieve platinum certification, and one reflecting a riskier musical pivot . It embraced a polished crossover sound, exemplified by “Missing You.”
Upon release, the single reached No. 15 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and climbed to No. 6 on Canada’s RPM Country Tracks, also charting at No. 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 The accompanying music video—directed by Deaton Flanigen—premiered in mid‑1999, further amplifying the track’s visibility .
Musically, their version replaced Waite’s pop‑rock sensibility with a contemporary country sheen—lush production, emotive vocals, and instrumentation tailored to radio tastes of the time. While not reaching No. 1, it served as a bold statement: Brooks & Dunn were still evolving, exploring new territory as the genre itself was shifting around them.
As fans and critics later noted, “Missing You” captured the duo’s versatility and willingness to bridge genres. It remains a standout moment on Tight Rope, offering a bridge between their ’90s dominance and a future-ready direction—even as it reminds listeners that even giants embrace experimentation.
Video
Lyrics
Missing you
Missing you
Missing you
Missing you
Every time I think of you
I always catch my breath
And I’m still standing here, and your miles away
And I’m wondering why you left
And there’s a storm that’s raging
Through my frozen heart tonight
I hear your name in certain circles
And it always makes me smile
I spend my time thinking about you
And it’s almost driving me wild
And there’s a heart that’s breaking
Down this long distance line tonight
I ain’t missing you (missing you)
Since you’ve been gone away
I ain’t missing you (missing you)
No matter what I might say
There’s a message in the wire, and I’m sending you this signal tonight
You don’t know how desperate I’ve become
And it looks like I’m losing this fight
In your world, I have no meaning
I try so hard to understand
And it’s my heart that’s breaking
Down this long distance line tonight
I ain’t missing you (missing you)
Since you’ve been gone away
I ain’t missing you (missing you)
No matter what my friends say
There’s a message that I’m sending out
Like a telegraph to your soul
And if I can’t bridge this distance
Stop this heartbreak overload
I ain’t missing you (missing you)
Since you’ve been gone away
I ain’t missing you (missing you)
No matter what my friends say (missing you)
I ain’t missing you (I ain’t missing you)
(Missing you) I ain’t missing you (I ain’t missing you)
(Missing you) I ain’t missing you (I ain’t missing you)