Article Contributed by Myth Maker PR
Published on October 27, 2025
Academy Award-winning songwriter John DeNicola, best known for penning “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” and “Hungry Eyes” from the multi-platinum Dirty Dancing soundtrack, has released his third solo album, Don’t Wait, via OMAD Records.
The album is a heartfelt tribute to DeNicola’s late friend and former bandmate Tim Lawless, blending emotional storytelling, soulful musicianship, and an urgent reminder to live fully and act now.
Don’t Wait was born from grief and reflection but radiates life and renewal. It began with “King of His Own World,” written in tribute to Lawless, and grew into a larger meditation on friendship, creativity, and purpose.
The record reunites DeNicola with his original bandmates from Sweetback, reviving the jazzy R&B sound they cultivated in the early ’80s. The lineup includes Greg Schliech (keys), Jeff Lange (sax), Ken Favre (guitar), and Bob Myers (drums) — lending the album a vintage groove with modern emotional weight.
Tracks like “Flotsam and Jetsam” and “A Room Full of You” stretch into cinematic territory, blending introspection with lush instrumentation, while songs such as “Amen and Hallelujah” and “Don’t Wait” deliver soulful affirmations of love, loss, and renewal.
Several songs were co-written with Jason Stutts (Rust Dust), who brought poetic nuance to DeNicola’s melodies. Their collaboration anchors the album’s themes of time, connection, and transformation.
A standout cover of “Apocalypse” by Moby Grape’s Peter Lewis ties into the record’s reflection on mortality and purpose. DeNicola recalls, “It’s always a surprise to me when anyone dies… Losing Tim reminded me that life is precious. Tell your friends, your partner, your family you love them. Don’t wait.”
A celebrated songwriter, producer, and recording artist, DeNicola’s career spans decades across multiple genres. Beyond Dirty Dancing, he’s been sampled by Erykah Badu, collaborated with Bernie Worrell (Parliament-Funkadelic, Talking Heads), and worked with members of The Raspberries, Moby Grape, and Procol Harum.
He has also produced emerging artists, including an early version of Maroon 5, and has earned acclaim for his solo albums The Why Because (2019) and She Said (2022).
Album: Don’t Wait
Label: OMAD Records
Key Tracks: Apocalypse, Don’t Wait, Flotsam and Jetsam, Amen and Hallelujah, King of His Own World
Produced by: John DeNicola
Photography: Jason Martin
