 In the United States , " What You Waiting For ? " debuted at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue dated October 16 , 2004 . It reached a peak of number 47 on November 27 , 2004 and remained on the chart for a total of 20 weeks . The song topped the Hot Dance Club Play chart , but only had moderate success on the pop charts , reaching number 17 on the Mainstream Top 40 and number 24 on the Adult Top 40 . The song was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ) on February 25 , 2005 . Additionally , it was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 2005 Grammy Awards , but lost to Norah Jones ' " Sunrise " . 
