My Top 2000 Songs #1125: I Want You To Want Me

I have vague memories of winning the 7" single of Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me" as a prize at a friend's Bat Mitzvah in 1979. Which was pretty cool, as most of the singles given as prizes at that year's mad rush of Bar & Bat Mitzvah parties--I grew up in a pretty Jewish suburb, so that was the weekend activity throughout most of our 13th year--were disco records, the songs that, while starting to fall from favor on the radio, were still party favor staples. Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff" was another prize I remember receiving.--and, needless to say, the Cheap Trick single got a lot more play back at home than the Donna Summer single (no disrespect for Ms. Summer intended).

"I Want You To Want Me" went through a few iterations. The original single, off their second LP (1977's In Color) was, despite it's irrepressible pop hook, a little bogged down and listless, more a slow crooner than a rocker, and wasn't a big hit (even in my abode of suburban Chicago, where they were greatly loved). But in 1979, they released a version of the song taken from the prior year's At Budokan live album (the single I was fortunate enough to win), and that more rousing, upbeat take deservedly got a ton of radio airplay. And while the live version is pretty definitive, I'd also give a nod to an early studio version circa 1976, eventually included as a bonus track on the CD reissue of their debut album; it's got a perky shuffle, a minimalist but upbeat power pop track that sounds like a cross between Sweet and a classic 50s oldie.

Maybe not a "great" song--it's a fun radio pop song that updates some oldies tropes but is hardly groundbreaking--but definitely a great single to win at a party.

Live At Budokan version:

In Color version:

1976 early version:

Live in the studio, 2006:

At long last, Lindsay Lohan finds her way onto this site!

Letters to Cleo cover:

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