I Want You You to Want Me - Cheap Trick (1979) 1/30/21

If at first you don't succeed, perhaps your second try will be a “Great Song of the '70s!”

In 1977, Cheap Trick released their second album, “In Color,” and the first single from the LP was a song called “I Want You to Want Me.”

Unfortunately, with one exception, NOBODY “wanted” it. The song failed to chart in the US, and barely made it to #97 in Canada. In Japan, however, it went to #1!

For that reason, Cheap Trick hustled over to Tokyo for a set of concerts at the Budokan arena, which resulted in their NEXT album, 1978's “Live at Budokan!”

Once again, the song was released as a single, and the most amazing thing happened: the LIVE version of “I Want You To Want me” not only went to #1 in Japan AGAIN...but also became a Top 10 hit in several other countries, including #1 in Belgium and The Netherlands, #2 in Canada, and #7 on Billboard's Hot 100!

Why? Because the live version was electrifying—with the audience adding an extra layer of fun and energy to the tune.

We added it to our rock sets at the disco, and it never failed to fill the floor!

“I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick: a “Second Chance” member of the “Great Song of the '70s” club!