The Rise of Cheap Trick and the Power Pop Revival: The Story Behind 'I Want You To Want Me
In the mid-70s, power pop seemed to be fading away with the rise of prog rock and disco, but the emergence of punk rock brought a new wave of power pop bands. Cheap Trick from Rockford, Illinois, was one such band that gained recognition with their song "I Want You To Want Me." Originally written as a joke by guitarist Rick Nielsen, the song was intended to be an over-the-top pop song with a heavy metal twist.
The song went through various transformations before finding its definitive version on Cheap Trick's live album "At Budokan." Recorded during a sold-out performance in Tokyo, the live version of "I Want You To Want Me" became a massive hit, propelling the band to stardom. The success of the live album surprised the band, as they had not anticipated its overwhelming reception.
Following the release of "At Budokan," Cheap Trick became arena headliners and continued to include "I Want You To Want Me" in their live set every night. Despite playing the song regularly, the band has not grown tired of it, as they enjoy seeing the audience's positive reaction. The enduring popularity of the song has solidified Cheap Trick's status as one of rock's greatest bands.