“What I Like About You” is a power pop anthem by the Detroit-based band The Romantics, released as a single in December 1979 and featured on their self-titled debut album in 1980. Written by band members Wally Palmar, Mike Skill, and Jimmy Marinos, the track was recorded at Coconuts Recording Studio in Miami Beach, Florida, with drummer Marinos providing lead vocals.
The song’s composition was driven by Skill’s simple, three-chord guitar riff, inspired by classic rock and roll acts like The Kinks and The Who, while the vocal refrain incorporated shouts influenced by The Yardbirds and Chuck Berry. Despite its catchy nature, the single only reached #49 on the Billboard Hot 100 upon its initial release, though it achieved significant success in Australia, peaking at #2.
The track experienced a major resurgence in the late 1980s after being licensed for Budweiser television commercials and heavy rotation on the newly launched MTV, cementing its status as a permanent fixture at sporting events and parties. This commercial success was marred by legal issues, as the band later discovered their managers had licensed the song without their knowledge, leading to lawsuits over misappropriated profits.
[Intro]
Hey
Uh huh huh
Hey
Uh huh huh
[Verse 1]
What I like about you
You hold me tight
Tell me I’m the only one
You wanna come over tonight, yeah
[Hook]
Keep on whispering in my ear
Tell me all the things that I wanna hear
Cause it’s true
That’s what I like about you
[Verse 2]
What I like about you
You really know how to dance
When you go up, down, jump around
Think about true romance, yeah
[Hook]
Keep on whispering in my ear
Tell me all the things that I wanna hear
Cause it’s true
That’s what I like about you
That’s what I like about you
That’s what I like about you
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[Verse 3]
What I like about you
You keep me warm at night
Never wanna let you go
Know you make me feel alright, yeah
[Hook]
Keep on whispering in my ear
Tell me all the things that I wanna hear
‘Cause it’s true
That’s what I like about you
That’s what I like about you
That’s what I like about you
That’s what I like about you
That’s what I like about you
That’s what I like about you
That’s what I like about you
[Outro]
Hey
Uh huh huh
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Uh huh huh, brrr
Hey
Uh huh huh
Hey
