Introduction
A Song of Longing and Unrequited Love: The Story of “I’d Love You To Want Me”
Released in 1972, “I’d Love You To Want Me” by Lobo is a timeless ballad that speaks to the universal longing for reciprocated love. Written and performed by singer-songwriter Roland Kent LaVoie under his stage name Lobo, the song paints a poignant picture of two souls drawn together yet held back by unspoken feelings and societal expectations.
The song opens with a vivid description of an immediate attraction, a simple act of seeing that sparks a powerful reaction. “When I saw you standing there, I ’bout fell off my chair,” Lobo sings, capturing the overwhelming feeling of being struck by someone’s presence. But this initial passion is met with restraint, as the singer acknowledges the unspoken emotions and societal pressures that stand in the way of true connection.
The chorus, with its heartfelt plea, encapsulates the song’s central theme: “Baby, I’d love you to want me/The way that I want you/The way that it should be.” These repeated lines express a yearning for a deeper connection, a desire for love to be freely given and received. However, the following line, “Baby, you’d love me to want you/The way that I want to/If you’d only let it be,” hints at an underlying uncertainty and an awareness of perceived barriers.
Throughout the song, Lobo weaves imagery of hidden desires and unspoken words. He sings of “something in my soul just cries,” suggesting a deep longing that goes beyond mere physical attraction. He also acknowledges the woman’s struggle to overcome societal constraints, singing, “You told yourself years ago/You’d never let your feelings show/The obligation that you made/For the title that they gave.”
Despite the melancholic undertones, “I’d Love You To Want Me” ultimately expresses hope and the possibility for love to conquer all. The final verse ends with a simple yet powerful declaration: “Now it took time for me to know/What you tried so not to show/Something in my soul just cried/I see the want in your blue eyes/Baby, I’d love you to want me.” This ending leaves the listener with a sense of yearning and anticipation, wondering if the two individuals will eventually break free from their societal constraints and embrace their true feelings for each other.
With its relatable lyrics and timeless melody, “I’d Love You To Want Me” continues to resonate with audiences today. It stands as a testament to the power of love and the universal desire for connection, reminding us that even amidst unspoken words and societal pressures, the spark of true love can never be extinguished.
Song information:
- Artist: Lobo (Roland Kent La Voie)
- Album: Of a Simple Man
- Released: 1972
- Genre: Soft rock, Rock
- Peak chart positions:
- US Billboard Hot 100: #2
- UK Singles Chart: #10
- Canadian RPM Singles Chart: #1
Video
Lyrics
When I saw you standing there
I bout fell out my chair
And when you moved your mouth to speak
I felt the blood go to my feet.Now it took time for me to know
what you tried so not to show
Now something in my soul just cries
I see the want in your blue eyes.Baby, I’d love you to want me
The way that I want you
The way that it should be
Baby, you’d love me to want you
The way that I want to
If you’d only let it be.You told yourself years ago
You’d never let your feeling show
The obligation that you made
For the title that they gave.