Where were you in 1986?

In the all night discos in New York City?
Combing through the 12” DJ dance bins at a record store in Holland?
Going out to “get lucky” on Ladies Night at the Last Hurrah in Portland OR?
Listening to “Voice of America” in a remote jungle in mainland China?
Still wearing pull ups?

Whether you were listening to the radio in a small Pacific NW town, or shaking your booty in a big city disco, from coast to coast, Europe to Asia, you could hear the song that took the world by storm and introduced the band NU SHOOZ to music lovers everywhere. “I Can’t Wait,” went to #3 on the Billboard Pop Chart, and top five in most of the civilized world. The group had two more hits, “Point of No Return,” (#28 in 1987,) and “Should I Say Yes?”. (#41 in 1988)

NU SHOOZ was formed in Portland Oregon in 1979, by two ex-members of the local Calypso band Felicidades. It took a year for them to find their direction, as a 12 piece horn band in the tradition of Tower of Power and Earth Wind and Fire. By 1982, the Shooz were one of the top bands in Portland. A year later though, a series of personnel changes decimated the group and its following. There followed a dark period; once again they seemed to be searching for an identity. Still, they never stopped playing. The band’s line-up was reduced to six, and they moved out beyond Portland, touring the Northwest region of the U.S. in a converted school bus. “I Can’t Wait” was written during this time. Portland Top 40 station KKRZ picked up on the song in the spring of 1985. Airplay spread and the tune made its way to Europe, where Dutch engineer Pieder ‘Hithouse’ Slaghuis created a remix that came back to the US and caught fire in New York City dance clubs. Atlantic Records signed the group in early 1986 and the rest, as they say, is pop music history.

I Can’t Wait is still being played on the radio somewhere on earth every 11 minutes. Whether you first heard it at the Last Hurrah back in '85, or just found it last week on the Information Superhighway, put on your dancin' SHOOZ, and turn it up!

So...Here they are: Five funky versions of the smash 80s hit "I Can't Wait."

The Powermix:
The 80's classic, a little more hi-fi with a modern mix.

The American Mix:
The original mix released by the band on their own Poolside Label in 1985.

Unplugged:
In 2006 we stripped down "I Can't Wait" to only the bare essentials revealing a sophisticated and sexy acoustic R&B/Pop/Jazz-interpretation.

Go Remix:
Funky remix by Alpha Lang for Evolution Lab 93 bpm.

Powermix Karaoke:
After more than 20 years of people warbling at us a cappella, we thought we’d help them out with a background track. So, for all you karaoke crazies out there, here you go! Have fun!