“I Want You to Want Me” is a power-pop anthem by Cheap Trick that evolved from an overlooked studio track into a rock classic through its live performance. Rick Nielsen wrote the song, originally intending it as a “campy” or “hokey” pop parody inspired by groups like ABBA, rather than a serious rock hit.
The song’s chart performance illustrates a unique trajectory:
- Studio Failure (1977): The original version on the album In Color featured a slower, music hall-style arrangement with honky-tonk piano and finger snaps, produced by Tom Werman. It failed to chart in the US, though it became a number one hit in Japan.
- Live Breakthrough (1979): After gaining a massive fanbase in Japan, the band recorded performances at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. A high-energy, hard-rock version of the song released from the live album Cheap Trick at Budokan became their first major US hit, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Legacy: The live version transformed the track into a signature power-pop song, celebrated for its catchy chorus and the band’s energetic delivery, contrasting sharply with the studio version’s novelty feel.
[Intro]
I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I’d love you to love me
I’m beggin’ you to beg me
[Verse]
I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I’d love you to love me
[Pre-Chorus]
I’d shine up the old brown shoes, I’d put on a brand-new shirt
I’d get home early from work if you say that you love me
[Chorus]
Didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I see you cryin’?
Oh, didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I see you cryin’?
Feelin’ all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin’
Oh, didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I see you cryin’?
[Verse]
I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I’d love you to love me
I’m beggin’ you to beg me
[Pre-Chorus]
I’d shine up the old brown shoes, I’d put on a brand-new shirt
I’d get home early from work if you say that you love me
[Chorus]
Didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I see you cryin’?
Oh, didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I see you cryin’?
Feelin’ all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin’
Oh, didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I see you cryin’?
[Guitar solo]
[Hook]
Feelin’ all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin’
Oh, didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I see you cryin’?
Ooh!
[Piano solo]
[Outro]
I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I’d love you to love me
I’m beggin’ you to beg me
I want you…
