Wait a Minute My Girl

"Wait a Minute My Girl" was released on 2 June 2021 alongside "Dagen Før". It was the band's first new material since the 2019 album Rewind, Replay, Rebound,^[1] and was written by frontman Michael Poulsen "a long time ago" but was not finished until 2020.^[2] Poulsen said it was one of the first songs he wrote for the album and that it had been "hidden somewhere" on his phone before he picked it up again.^[3] He said the song made sense to release during the summer, describing it as a positive, feel-good track at a time when people had been waiting for something new.^[4] It was recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown period by Poulsen, drummer Jon Larsen, and bassist Kaspar Boye Larsen in Denmark, while guitarist Rob Caggiano recorded his parts remotely from New York.^[5] The song features saxophone by Doug Corcoran and piano by Raynier Jacob Jacildo, both playing upbeat riffs.^[6] They are members of JD McPherson's band and had previously appeared on Volbeat's 2019 song "Die to Live".^[7] Backing vocals are provided by Mia Maja who had worked with the band since Seal the Deal & Let's Boogie.^[8] It was written and recorded over a period during what the band described as a "long, difficult 15 months".^[9]

The band said the song has a summer vibe,^[1] while Poulsen described it as a "pure rocker" influenced by Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and the Ramones. He added that it carries a "'50s-'60s element" and a summery feel, in contrast to the heavier material on the album.^[4] Larsen similarly characterized it as straightforward rock and roll intended for summer listening.^[10]

Consequence described the track as uptempo, driven by energetic guitars and a 1950s throwback vibe,^[11] while Revolver called it a "swingin' summer" track that blends elements of SoCal pop-punk with retro rock and roll.^[12] Metal Hammer noted its fast-paced rock and roll style, featuring saxophone and piano.^[13] Reviewing Servant of the Mind, Distorted Sound Magazine described the song as having a 1960s high school prom feel, highlighting its saxophone solos, prominent piano and danceable beat.^[14] Classic Rock characterized it as bright and breezy, and noted that it was largely inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis.^[15]

A music video was released on July 12, 2021. It was directed by Sean Donnelly, founder of AWESOME+modest in Los Angeles, California. The collages were created by Mengqing Yuan and animation by Steve Yeung.^[10] The band described the video as "trippy and creative" and said it was "weird, fun and crazy".^[16]

It was nominated for Rock Song of the Year at the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards.^[17]

Credits adapted from Apple Music.^[20]

Volbeat

• Michael Poulsen - lead vocals, guitar, songwriter, producer
• Rob Caggiano - lead guitar, recording engineer, engineer
• Jon Larsen - drums
• Kaspar Boye Larsen - bass

Additional musicians

• Doug Corcoran - saxophone
• Mia Maja - background vocals
• Ray Jacildo - piano

Additional credits

• Jacob Hansen - producer, mastering engineer, mixing engineer, recording engineer

It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart on August 21, 2021.^[21] It marked the band's ninth No. 1 song on the chart^[22] tying Aerosmith for the 10th-most No. 1 songs in the chart's history.^[23] It also spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Mediabase Canada Active Rock chart, becoming the band's first Canadian No. 1 on that chart.^[24]