The Dawson’s Creek title track, “I Don’t Want to Wait” by Paula Coleit hasn’t appeared on streaming platforms for many years.
Dawson’s Creek issued between 1998 and 2003starring James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson i Michelle Williams in the beloved coming-of-age drama. Although Cole’s “I Don’t Want to Wait” led each live stream, fans didn’t get to see it when the show was distributed on streaming platforms until a major deal in 2021.
Keep scrolling to find out why the Dawson’s Creek theme song was changed:
What is the “Dawson’s Creek” theme song?
Paula Cole wrote and released “I Don’t Want to Wait” in 1996, which was used as the opening track for Dawson’s Creek.
“I don’t want to wait for our lives to end,” he sings in the chorus. “I want to know right now what it will be / I don’t want to wait for our life to end / Will it be yes or will it be forgiveness?”
Cole eventually re-recorded “I Don’t Want to Wait” in 2015.
Dawson’s Creek ended in 2003 and for more than two decades, fans wanted a reunion, but the cast had mixed feelings. OG stars James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams hinted at the possibility for years, but it wasn’t until August 2025 that the cast announced that an official (…)
“I Don’t Wanna Wait” is excluded from streaming platforms
After Dawson’s Creek was acquired by streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu, the theme song was not included with each episode. The track also did not appear on the DVD versions of the series.
In its place, Arden’s “Run Like Mad” appeared as the theme song, as it was already owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment.
James Van Der Beek and Joshua Jackson in ‘Dawson’s Creek’.
Red Norris / Columbia TriStar Television / Courtesy of the Everett Collection“I don’t want to wait” is added to Netflix
Fans went wild on social media in 2021 when they discovered that “I Don’t Wanna Wait” was finally included in every episode.
“Dawson’s Creek Fans, I’m excited to announce that you’ll finally hear Paula Cole’s iconic song ‘I Don’t Want to Wait’ when you watch the opening credits!” Netflix he tweeted in September 2021.
Deadline reported at the time that Cole reached a deal to allow streaming platforms to use the song. According to the outlet, Sony Pictures had initially bought only the air rights to the number.
What Paula Cole has said about the licensing battle
“It was really a financial decision that was made hastily by a Sony executive,” Paula Cole said The Independent in January 2021. “If you start doing this with a network and big companies, you’re throwing all the artists under the bus.”
Why did Paula Cole renegotiate the terms?
said Paula Cole The Independent that it all came down to the obedient Dawson’s Creek spectators.
“The biggest thing of all is that it was because of the reaction from the fans,” he said in 2021. “It was because of all their posts and their tweets and their fabulous comments. Sony finally realized and wanted to please their fans. I’m very happy about that. I’m very happy that they listen and care.”
She continued, “I’m so happy that the fans got what they wanted and that people are learning about my song and hopefully more of my music again. I just really, really appreciate the opportunity.”