The duo of producersStargate originally created the song's instrumental for a song titled "If", made forBeyonce's 2006 albumB'Day, with lyrics written byNe-Yo. Uploads of Ne-Yo's "If" demo can be found onYouTube.[2]
According to the sheet music published bySony/ATV Music Publishing, "Can't Help But Wait" is anR&B song set incommon time with a moderate R&Btempo of 95 beats per minute. It is written in thekey ofG minor, and follows thechord progression of E♭maj7–Cm9–Gm9–Gm, and Songz' voice in the song spans from F4 to G5.[8] "Can't Help But Wait" is about Songz wanting a woman who is mistreated by her boyfriend;[9] he attempts to persuade the woman to leave her partner and gives examples of how women can be treated courteously.[3]Lil Wayne andPlies have each remixed "Can't Help But Wait", with the latter's remix being featured onthe soundtrack album for the 2008 filmStep Up 2: The Streets.[10]
"Can't Help But Wait" was selected as one ofTrey Day's best tracks inAllmusic's review of the album.[11] A reviewer forBillboard lauded the songwriting and production of the number, and praised the maturity that Songz showed on the tune.[3] Writing forAbout.com Mark Edward Nero commended Songz' vocal effort on "Can't Help But Wait", and the song's "nice balance of sensitivity and swagger".[9] It was ranked at number twenty-three onMTV News' list of the 27 Essential R&B Songs of 2007.[12][13] "Can't Help But Wait" was nominated in theBest Male R&B Vocal Performance category at the2009 Grammy Awards, but lost toNe-Yo's "Miss Independent".[14]
"Can't Help But Wait" entered the USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at number seventy-two on the chart of August 25, 2007.[15] On December 15, 2007 it reached its peak position of number two,[16] where it remained the following week.[17] During both weeks "Can't Help But Wait" was at number two,Alicia Keys' "No One" topped the chart. "Can't Help But Wait" remained on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for thirty-two weeks.[18]The song debuted at number ninety-nine on theBillboard Hot 100 on the issue dated October 6, 2007.[19] "Can't Help But Wait" rose to number fourteen on the Hot 100 on December 22, 2007. achieved during its second week at number two on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[20] The song fell off the Hot 100 in March 2008, having spent twenty-four weeks on the chart.[18] "Can't Help But Wait" appeared on thePop 100 andRhythmic Top 40, and reached numbers seventy-four and six, respectively.[21] "Can't Help But Wait" made its debut on theUK Singles Chart at number 163 on March 29, 2008;[22] it peaked at number 115.[23]
