Dwight Yoakam – I Want You To Want Me

About The Song

“I Want You to Want Me” is a song by Cheap Trick which first appeared on their second album In Color in 1977. It was the first single released from that album but it didn’t chart in the US. However, it was a #1 single in Japan. Its success in Japan, as well as the success of its preceding single “Clock Strikes Ten” and its followup “Surrender”, paved the way for Cheap Trick’s famous concerts at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo in April 1978 that were recorded for the group’s most popular album, Cheap Trick at Budokan.

A live version of “I Want You to Want Me” from the album Cheap Trick at Budokan was released in 1979 and became their biggest selling single, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, representing sales of one million records. It was also the band’s highest charting single in Britain, where it reached #29.

Yoakam cover this song in his  album Tomorrow’s Sounds Today. The song blends his signature country style with the pop-rock origins of the original. It peaked at number 49 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Video

Lyrics

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 to want me
I need you to need me
I’d love you to love me
I’ll shine up the old brown shoes, put on a brand new shirt
I’ll get home early from work if you say that you love me

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’?

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’ll shine up the old brown shoes, put on a brand new shirt
I’ll get home early from work if you say that you love me

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’?

I’ll shine up the old brown shoes, put on a brand new shirt
I’ll get home early from work if you say that you love me
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’?

I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I’d love you to love me
I want you to want me