I Want You To Want Me by Cheap Trick

Album: Live At Budokan (1977)

Charted: 29 7

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Songfacts®:

"I Want You To Want Me" has a long and intriguing history. It was written by Cheap Trick's guitarist Rick Nielsen and recorded for their 1977 self-titled debut album, but it didn't make the cut. The song was included on their second album, In Color, released later in 1977. This version has a medium tempo with a country feel and a honky tonk piano throughout the song.

By 1978, the band had dropped it from their setlist, but restored it when they toured Japan that year, since Japanese audiences loved the song. They played it on April 28 and 30 at their famous concerts at the Budokan temple in Tokyo, a big deal because many Japanese citizens felt the temple was sacred and not appropriate for rock concerts. The shows were recorded and released as the Live At Budokan album. Enhanced by a febrile crowd going ape for the band, the songs had a very different feel, capturing every bit of Cheap Trick's live energy. The album was released in February 1979 and sold over 3 million copies, turning their fortunes around in America. The extracted "I Want You To Want Me" became their first hit, charting at #7.
Many early Cheap Trick songs written by Rick Nielsen are from the perspective of characters who are a little unhinged (see: "Dream Police"), and the band played that up with their eccentric fashions and accessories. The guy in this song is a bit desperate and delusional, figuring a shoe shine and a new shirt will make the girl love him.
According to Rick Nielsen, the band considered this "sort of hokey pop" when they first recorded it, and the arrangement matched that sentiment, with finger snaps and a plaintive country feel. Robin Zander played up the schmaltz in the vocal, sounding like a woebegone cornpoke. This studio version fell flat, but when they played it as an earnest rocker, it worked.
The famous At Budokan version of this song was inspired by a French cover version ("J'attends Toutes les Nuits") by by a fairly obscure French synthpop artist named Niko Flynn, who sped up the tempo and put a beat to the song.
The original version on the In Color album was produced by Tom Werman, known at the time for his work with Ted Nugent (he later produced three albums for Mötley Crüe, starting with Shout At The Devil). The song was such a musical departure for the group that Werman brought in two outside musicians to play on it: keyboard player Jai Winding and guitarist Jay Graydon, who did the solo (Graydon also played the solo on Steely Dan's "Peg").

In 2023, Songfacts asked Werman why he didn't produce the song the way it appears on At Budokan. "Because it wasn't presented that way in the demo," he replied.

Werman added: "I certainly wouldn't have toned it down that much from the way they did it live. I actually don't understand that, but Rick [Nielsen] and I had a disagreement about how the tack piano part came to be. I remember looking backwards at them on the couch and saying, 'What do you think of this idea?' And I remember Rick saying, 'Hey, you're the producer.' So, I figured, 'I can do what I want as long as they approve.'

I had a keyboard player that I had used before and that I used many times afterward, and he was great. I brought him in, and I brought in a guest guitar player, which was one of two guest guitar players I ever hired. It was a dancehall tune. That was it. I thought it might be a single off the album the way it was recorded. And then, all of a sudden, I hear this slam-bang version from Japan and it went wild."
The song was used in these movies:
Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (2020)
The Boss (2016)
John Tucker Must Die (2006)
Private Parts (1997)
Queens Logic (1991)

And these TV shows:

High Fidelity ("Ballad of the Lonesome Loser" - 2020)
Stalker ("Fanatic" - 2014)
Friends with Benefits (Pilot - 2011)
One Tree Hill ("Don't You Forget About Me" - 2010)
Californication ("Glass Houses" - 2009)
This is one of the few hit rock songs of the time that starts with the chorus.
In 1978, this appeared as the B-side of Cheap Trick's single "California Man."
The At Budokan album was a huge seller well into 1979, so Cheap Trick delayed release of their next album, Dream Police, which sat for eight months until it was finally issued in September that year.
"I Want You To Want" me is a popular cover among female-fronted bands. Letters To Cleo, led by Kay Hanley, play it from a rooftop at the end of the 1999 movie 10 Things I Hate About You. In 2009, KSM, fronted by Shelby Cobra, did a cover that was used in promos for the TV series version of 10 Things I Hate About You. This version charted at #112 in America. In 2022, it was covered by Pomplamoose, sung by Nataly Dawn.
In 1997, the group recorded a new version of the In Color album (complete with "I Want You To Want Me"), with producer Steve Albini, but it was never released.

Comments: 37

Seventhmist from 7th HeavenAccording to Wikipedia, the band recorded a festive version with the same arrangement, but with slightly modified lyrics, called "I Want You for Christmas" in 2012.
Dan Loy from Cleveland, Oh, United StatesOn the studio version, the end of Robin's line, "Didn't I see you cryin?" echoed the word cryin' twice. That's what those soaked-panties Japanese girls were screaming back to him.
Bruce from San Jose, Calif.Tony: Yes, the Japaenese girl teeny boppers are all chanting ...it was (and is) a common practice there....I speak Japanese, but I could not make out exactly what they were chanting (perhaps the singer’s name, but I dunno)....sometimes they are declaring their feelings for the singer, sometimes they repeat a word from the song...
Tony from San DiegoHas anyone else ever noticed that after ever time Robin sings the word Cryin' in the choruses immediately during his pause all these Japanese girls appear to sing "uh uh uh" Every time, I swear!
James Lachman from Cincinnati OhOne of the most embarrassing moments of my life occurred because of this song in 1999. I was at work at F&W Publications in Cincinnati when I and a coworker were talking about names for children. I said "you know I kinda like the name Teedalie for a girl if I ever had a daughter". He looked at me quizzically so I said "yeah from that cheap trick song I want you to want me". He looked up thoughtfully and said "I don't remember anything like that in the song." I said "well yeah they sing Teedalie I hear you crying." he rolled his eyes and started laughing at me saying "that's didn't I, didn't I hear you crying". When he told me this I felt 2 inches high and was so embarrassed. So I asked him if he was absolutely sure and that only compounded the extra laughing. All those years I was singing Teedalie and had that on the list as a daughter's name. I'm sure if I did have a daughter by the name of Teedalie I'm sure she would hate to explain to everyone that her name should have been "Didn't I". Oh well it could have been worse. On the Trailer Park Boys Ricky's grandson is named the motel.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyToday {December 17th, 2015} the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2016 inductees, the newest members will be Cheap Trick, Steve Miller, Deep Purple, Chicago, and NWA; they will be inducted into the HoF on April 8th, 2016 in New York City...
And exactly thirty five years earlier on December 17th, 1980 Cheap Trick's "Stop This Game" was at #83 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart, just over two weeks earlier on November 30th, 1980 it had peak at #48 {for 2 weeks} and it stayed on the chart for 12 weeks...
Between 1978 and 1990 the Chicago-based quartet had sixteen Top 100 records; three made the Top 10 with one reaching #1, "The Flame" for two weeks on July 3rd, 1988...
Their other two Top 100 records were "I Want You to Want Me" {#7 in 1979} and "Don't Be Cruel" {#4 in 1988}.
Camille from Toronto, OhOne main reason for the song's popularity: it gives voice to that often felt emotion that's not always spoken: "I want YOU to want...ME". And it is stated/sung in such a way that it seems humorous and fun. I love to say it jokingly, occasionally to my husband, with hand motions and over-the-top exclamations.
Carlo from San Francisco, CaThe budokan is an arena, not a temple. It was built for the 1964 summer olympics for martial arts competitions. It is also used for sumo competitions. The Beatles were the first rock group to perform there causing a great deal of controversy at that time. I quess to some of the older Japanese people holding modern western rock music concerts in the same venue where traditional martial arts are held could be considered sacrilegist. Thirty plus years later this song still rocks!
Louie from San Antonio, TxIt's also been covered by Alyson Michalka (of ALy & AJ) for the "Bandslam" soundtrack. She does the song justice with Cheap Trick members Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen playing back up for her on the track so it sounds almost like the original live version.
Kathleen from Chatham, NjThis song is great and part of what makes it great is how strait forward it is. It doesn't beat around the bush or anything, just I want you to want me I. Says what it means and means what it says.
Emma from Adelaide, Australiaamazing song...sums up a lot of feelings at times
Johnnys Cousin Steve from Villas, NjI read somewhere that Rick did write it about his father - definitely makes the song more interesting. I play it on my acoustic at my gigs - it's always a big hit.
Carrie from Roanoke, VaI forgot to mention that Lisa Loeb does a good cover of this.
Allie from A Little Ol' Town In, MiI've only heard the live version, and from what i hear; its the best version and i think it is.
Jennifer from Los Angeles, CaThe live version is a treat. The studio version? They could have called it "I sorta want you to want me"
Mel from Minneapolis, MnYeah, good song. cant get it out of my head!!!! lol
Max from Laconia, NhThis song is so awsome live! The sudio version sucks, though. Still awsome live, though!!!
Ed from Incognito, IlAnyone ever hear the studio version of this song? 2 words: LA-ME!
Kent from Toronto, CanadaApparently, Cheap Trick was the original choice for the band to be featured in "Rock And Roll High School", which of course later went to The Ramones. True, The Ramones' look and sound would have signified ultimate rebellion at the time, but seeing the teenagers in the film, it's more likely they would have been into Cheap Trick....
Nora from N/a, FlMY FATHER HAS SEEN THESE GUYS 15 TIMES IN CONCERT ! I THINK THEY ARE GREAT TOO...BUT I'D NEVER SEE THEM 15 TIMES !! LOL
Msouth from Cary, NcFunny but true serendipity story. I came to this page because "I want you to want me" was playing on the radio, and I was reading the comment about it being one of the few songs that starts with the chorus. Right while I was reading that the song ended and the next thing they played was "Ramblin' Man" by the Allman Brothers. Trip, eh?
Brandon from Peoria, IlThis song was billed as the "greatest song ever" in a '90s Diet Coke ad where a girl is watching a guy singing this in the shower. Anyone remember it?
Jon from Oakridge, OrYeah, it may be kind of corny, but I still like it.
Johnny from Los Angeles, CaI'm surprised nobody has mentioned that this song was about his father? This song is so great, the chorous is so obvious, but when you figure out that it's about his father it's so much better. Peace.
Carrie from Roanoke, VaThis song exemplifies summer to me; it's very sunny and has awesome guitar riffs. The singer has such a simple earnestness in his voice that it doesn't even matter that the lyrics repeat themselves. A person really can't get any more sincere than this. When I was at an NC State football game this fall, I heard the song playing on a commercial for the NBC prime time lineup. I couldn't tell you what happened on the commercial, but the song instantly put me in a perky mood.
Roger from Los Angeles, CaIt was previously stated: This is one of the few Rock songs that starts with the chorus. Actually other Cheap Trick songs have started with the chorus. Their song "If You Want My Love" also starts with the chorus. Cheap Trick was a great band with some great hits and I am sorry to see songs like "Surrender", "Dream Police", and "She's Tight" didn't make it to Song Facts. They would be interesting to discuss.
Tango Fistula from Gila Bend, Azexcellent band very overplayed song. not even in their top 20 best toons. id advise all you malldwellers to pick up the cds "in color" or "heaven tonight"
Jo from Sydney, AustraliaNo Doubt also have done a cover
Conor from Vancouver, CanadaAt the Budokan, this was the second best song they performed, besides 'Surrender.'
Rob from Santa Monica, CaThe studio single version of this song was already a hit in Japan when they recorded Live at Budokan. That is why the crowd sings along so enthusiastically. The "cryin-cryin-cryin" part is done as an echo effect on the single, and the crowd mimics the echo.

This song is a great example of how a flawed live performance can easily kick ass all over a polished studio recording. (U2's Bad, McCartney's Coming Up, etc.) I wish the R.E.M. had recorded most of their recent albums live, as the studio seems to suck the life out of them.
Joe from North Arlington, NjI love cheap trick!
Shana from Pembroke, CanadaYa I saw that Cold Case episode, it was kinda weird but super sad. Cheap trick is really good, rock on
Kristen from Campbellville, CanadaUM NOFX is not punk rock, their just punk or political punk. Their not something corporate, now theirs punk rock.
Tim from Rl, Israelit was covered by punk rock band NOFX as well
Kevin from Austin, TxOriginally, the album wasn't going to be released, because Epic records thought it would be a flop.
Deana from Indianapolis, InDwight Yokum also did a cover
Krie from Ft. Drum, NyCovered by the band Letters To Cleo for the "10 Things I Hate About You" soundtrack. Is used in the ending credits with the band playing live on the roof of the school.

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