I Want You To Want Me

Cheap Trick

I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me
I'm begging 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 my old brown shoes
I put on a brand new shirt
I get home early from work
If you say that you love me
Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I
See you cryin' (cryin', cryin')
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I
See you cryin' (cryin', cryin')

Feelin' all alone without a friend
You know you feel like dyin' (dyin', dyin')
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I
See you cryin' (cryin', cryin')

I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me
I'm begging you to beg me

I'll shine up my old brown shoes
I put on a brand new shirt
I get home early from work
If you say that you love me
Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I
See you cryin' (cryin', 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' (dyin', dyin')
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I
See you cryin' (cryin', 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' (cryin', cryin')
Ooh

I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me
I'm begging you to beg me


Lyrics submitted by kevin

I Want You to Want Me Lyrics as written by Rick Nielsen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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I Want You To Want Me song meanings
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62 Comments

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  • +7
    Song Meaning
    I think the meaning is fairly obvious, but I just want to say more specifically that this song is about a guy who wants a girl to like him as much as he likes her. He wants her to have the same degree of passion and intense feelings that he does. There's always a parallel between the way he feels and what he wants her to feel. The intensity increases from want to need, love, and even begging. He doesn't just want to win the girl over, he wants her to be in love with him. A simple and straightforward meaning. I imagine that this girl is someone lofty and seemingly unattainable. Maybe she doesn't show much interest in him and she puts on a tough exterior. When he asks "didn't I see you crying" it's almost like he's spotted a chink in her armor and can now see that she has a more vulnerable side to her after all, and perhaps there is room in her heart to have those same sort of feelings for him.
    Androcleson September 09, 2009   Link
  • +6
    General Comment
    This just proves you don't need all types of fancy words to express your love. I want you to want me, I need you to need me, I'd love you to love me, and I'm beggin' you to beg me. Simple :)
    HelpYourselfon April 07, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    this is the best song. ever. or not, but it's really really fun to rock out to in your dorm room. heh.
    gleebson January 09, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    The crowd in Cheap Trick's live version is repeating the word "cryin'". On the origianal studio version which had a honky tonk feel to it the "cryin" lyric was echoed so the crowd is reproducing the "missing" echo.
    Finnaganon June 23, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I am pretty sure Cheap Trick was the original maker of the song, in one of the covers I have, they lead into the song by commenting "This is for all the old folks, were gonna take you back to 1979" or something like that.
    TheHookon April 10, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    this song was first done by cheap trick in 1977 on there cheap trick album and was written by there guitar player Rick Nielsen. but the verison everyone knows is the live one from 1978 which was recorded live in japan. as to what the people are yelling i have no clue, and from what ive heard the crowd was added in later to sound louder then they really did. and yeah so many people have done it, thats why its such a great song. but no one does as good as cheap trick.
    poohblueskyon July 03, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I absolutely love this song. It's one of the best classic rock songs, period. The original is waaaaaay better than Letters to Cleo's cover--that version is too scratchy and cacophonous. I love how the song conveys its meaning in such a simple, yet catchy way. And I think Ander Knight has a good idea--if a guy sang this song to me, I'm pretty sure I'd have to give him a chance. Anyone can identify with the feelings the song expresses. When you want someone to love you, you are willing to do anything for him or her, and it's a sweet gesture you wouldn't do for anyone else. People who find love like this are so lucky.
    goddesscarolineon January 17, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    This is a great song, and I think I know whats so appealing about it other than its amazing vocals, guitar, and drum beat, and of course the solo. People love this song because so many people can relate to it. And people can relate to it because it's meaning is obvious.
    Rangers49on December 27, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Just 61 comments. Obviously it's because it's an old song, but who isn't familiar with Cheap Trick....a part of music history. This song is not about co-dependence; rather, it's about a natural want/need to be desired. It's a very human song. All songs about unrequaited love are...
    freetobemeon March 24, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    THE BEST american rock song, ever. period.
    MeenoMoeon April 18, 2002   Link

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