I Want You to Want Me

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin the classic "I Want You to Want Me" by Cheap Trick from their album In Color—not Rock Gödz, which doesn’t exist in their discography, but we’ll keep the vibe flowing! This song, released in 1977, didn’t initially chart in the U.S. with its studio version, which had a campy, dancehall feel with finger snaps and a country twang. Producer Tom Werman noted it was meant to be “a little campy,” with keyboardist Jai Winding and guitarist Jay Graydon brought in for the session, the latter delivering the solo. However, it was the live version from Cheap Trick at Budokan, recorded in Tokyo in 1978, that skyrocketed to fame, hitting number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming their signature anthem. The live version’s faster tempo and raw energy, inspired by a sped-up French cover by Niko Flynn titled "J’attends Toutes les Nuits," transformed it into a rock classic. Fun fact: the band considered the original “sort of hokey pop,” and frontman Robin Zander leaned into the schmaltz, singing like a “woebegone cornpoke.”

Another tidbit from the Zoo Crew’s vinyl vault: the song’s live success was a game-changer. Posts on X highlight its impact, noting that on August 13, 1979, both the In Color album and the "I Want You to Want Me" single were certified Gold by the RIAA. The At Budokan album, which captured the band’s electrifying Japan shows, peaked at number 4 in the U.S. and went triple platinum. Guitarist Rick Nielsen once shared that the band had so many songs early on that "I Want You to Want Me" didn’t even make their debut album’s final cut. Fans on Reddit rave about Robin Zander’s crystal-clear vocals and how the studio version’s “overly poppy” vibe pales next to the Budokan fire. The song’s been covered by artists like Letters to Cleo for the 10 Things I Hate About You soundtrack and even Alyson Michalka for Bandslam, with Zander and Nielsen backing her up.

Now, let’s rewind to how Cheap Trick got their start. Formed in Rockford, Illinois, in 1973, the band—Robin Zander (vocals), Rick Nielsen (guitar), Tom Petersson (bass), and Bun E. Carlos (drums)—blended ‘60s pop, ‘70s hard rock, and punk’s edge. Nielsen and Petersson kicked things off in 1967 with a band called Fuse, joined by Carlos in 1971. After a stint as Sick Man of Europe in 1972-73, they returned to Rockford, recruited Zander, and became Cheap Trick. Their name came from a quip by Petersson at a Slade concert, saying the band used “every cheap trick in the book,” a story Nielsen confirmed, debunking myths like a Ouija board origin. They honed their craft in Midwest bars, warehouses, and even a place called Jack’s Snacks in Minot, North Dakota, playing weeklong gigs. Signed to Epic Records, their 1977 self-titled debut laid the groundwork, but it was In Color and Heaven Tonight that won Japan’s heart, leading to their Budokan breakthrough.

Cheap Trick’s influence is massive, inspiring bands like Nirvana, Green Day, and Smashing Pumpkins, as noted on Wikipedia. They’ve sold over 20 million albums, performed 5,000+ shows, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. Connect with them on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans, or “Tricksters,” gather at sites like Cheap Trick’s official fan club and groups such as the Cheap Trick Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can join the love for this iconic band. Keep rocking, and let’s hear those air guitars!