I Want You To Want Me = Quiero Que Me Quieras

I Want You to Want Me was originally released on Cheap Trick's 1977 album In Color, but the version released as a single in 1978, catalog number 7162, is the definitive live recording from the band's breakthrough performance at the Budokan arena in Tokyo. While the studio version was heavily produced and failed to gain significant traction, the live rendition captured the raw energy of the band's Japanese tour, which was initially intended only for the local market. The shift in sound from a polished pop-rock track to a harder, more infectious live anthem helped the song become the band's most recognizable hit.

The song was written by guitarist Rick Nielsen, who intended to create a straightforward, catchy pop song that channeled the spirit of 1950s rock and roll through a power-pop lens. When the live recording was eventually released internationally following immense public demand, it showcased the band’s dynamic stage presence and helped cement their place in the late 1970s rock landscape. The recording remains a cornerstone of the power-pop genre, celebrated for its memorable guitar riffs and Robin Zander’s iconic vocal delivery.