I Want You To Want Me
10 things i hate about you Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me
I'm begging you to beg me

I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me

I'll shine up my old brown shoes
I'll put on a brand new shirt
I'll get home early from work
If you say that you love me

Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you crying?
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you crying?
Feeling all alone without a friend you know you feel like dying
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you crying?

I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me
I'm begging you to beg me
I'll shine up my old brown shoes
I'll put on a brand new shirt
I'll get home early from work
If you say that you love me

Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you crying?
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you crying?
Feeling all alone without a friend you know you feel like dying
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you crying?

Hey

Feeling all alone without a friend you know you feel like dying
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you crying?

I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me
I'm begging you to beg me

I want you to want me
I want you to want me

I want you to want me
I want you to want meeeee

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The 10 Things I Hate About You's "I Want You to Want Me" are an expression of the singer's desperate need for love and attention from their significant other. The repetition of the phrase "I want you to want me" emphasizes the singer's desire to be wanted and loved by their partner. The verses that follow, "I need you to need me" and "I'd love you to love me," express the singer's yearning for affection and emotional support from their romantic interest. The singer even goes as far as saying "I'm begging you to beg me," illustrating the extent of their desperation.

The second verse describes the singer's willingness to do anything for the person they love, even going to the extent of shining their shoes, wearing a new shirt, and coming home early from work if their partner confessed their love for them. The lines "Feeling all alone without a friend you know you feel like dying" reveal the inner turmoil and loneliness that the singer is experiencing, emphasizing the high stakes and importance of this romantic relationship.

Overall, the lyrics of "I Want You to Want Me" paint a vivid picture of a desperate lover seeking validation and love from the person they desire.

Line by Line Meaning

I want you to want me
I am desperate for your attention and affection

I need you to need me
My happiness and wellbeing depends solely on your love and attention

I'd love you to love me
I have strong romantic feelings for you and I wish you felt the same way about me

I'm begging you to beg me
I am willing to do anything to get you to reciprocate my feelings and beg for my love

I'll shine up my old brown shoes
I am willing to improve my appearance to impress you

I'll put on a brand new shirt
I am willing to go out of my way to look better for you

I'll get home early from work
I am willing to rearrange my schedule to make time for you

If you say that you love me
My happiness and confidence in our relationship depends on your verbal validation of your love for me

Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you crying?
I have noticed your pain and vulnerability and I want to be there to comfort you

Feeling all alone without a friend you know you feel like dying
I understand the depth of your loneliness and I empathize with your struggle

Hey
An interjection expressing urgency or excitement about the possibility of a romantic relationship.

I want you to want meeeee
A repetition of the first line, emphasizing the intensity of the artist's desire for the recipient to reciprocate their romantic feelings.

Contributed by Annabelle Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@carolroenick9762

I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me
I'm beggin' you to beg me
I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me
I'll shine up my old brown shoes
I'll put on a brand new shirt
I'll get home early from work
If you say that you love me
Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I
See you cryin' (cryin, cryin')
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I
See you cryin' (cryin, cryin')
Feelin' all alone without a friend
You know you feel like dyin' (dyin', dyin')
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I
See you cryin' (cryin', cryin')
I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me
I'm beggin' you to beg me
I'll shine up my old brown shoes
I'll put on a brand new shirt
I'll get home early from work
If you say that you love me
Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I
See you cryin' (cryin, cryin')
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I
See you cryin' (cryin, cryin')
Feelin' all alone without a friend
You know you feel like dyin' (dyin', dyin')
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I
See you cryin' (cryin', cryin')
Feelin' all alone without a friend
You know you feel like dyin' (dyin', dyin')
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I
See you cryin' (cryin', cryin')
I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me
I'm beggin' you to beg me

All comments from YouTube:

@emilyjhall

10y↑1.6K

This is the most 90's film that exists. Even the grass looks 90's.

@jamesr1524

6y↑50

I fell ya; I lived in this area when and where the movie was filmed, had a friend who had me drive him to Stadium High School to see where the movie had been filmed. I spent the 4th of July 2000 at Gasworks Park, same place as the paintball fight. It was awesome, I wouldn't trade the time and experiences for the world.

@travgpeters1

6y↑13

holy hell your right ...watching this film right now

@jamesr1524

6y↑17

I literally just finished watching this about ten minutes ago! 5 May 2018.

@diaryofawimpycollegegirl5149

6y↑5

More 2000s

@BibtheChib

6y↑11

Fucking for real, today's kids won't feel this man

9 More Replies...

@InvisibleMan95

6y↑488

The 90s. Why are we all so obsessed with this decade?
Because it was simply THE BEST.

@michaelmartin3045

5y↑10

The 80's will always be the greatest decade

@nandu1770

5y↑4

@Michael Martin that right the 80s.

@El_Joven_Porfirio_Diaz

5y↑6

These US people. Always looking at their navels and believing themselves to be the center of the world... But the illusion of greatness is over. To face the world as it is in reality, with angels and demons, as do the rest of the people of the world.

@k.stylenicciepisodes8558

4y↑7

The 80's and the 90's Rock 🤘🙌🙌💯%
I am an 80's baby and a 90's lover all the way💋

@rizleneb.7149

Indeed

4 More Replies...

@shanleystone

9y↑530

I swear this song seems to randomly stick in my head sometimes. Mainly the chorus though.
All those times we watched the movie in high school must have done it...

@dizzyjayde

Shanley Stone same!!

@louiseringsmose

Ha ha, me too. 🤚🏻
Then I come and hear the song and I am happy! 😁👌🏻🎶

@DivineMystic1111

11y↑22

I was a teenager in the 90's and it was awesome! the 90's had the best music ever, in my opinion!

@ScottyArdentTube

13y↑6

letters to cleo is a great band. I wish they had more stuff

@StanObirek

10y↑336

Unforgotten Heath Ledger. I can't imagine what characters could he cast, if he was with us.

@kurtispye8164

9y↑1

i love this song so much now

@autumnshellhaas8029

So true. Everytime i watch this its always so bitter sweet :/

@AlonzoMarquisGraychipmonk

4y↑1

That’s not the only loss. This movie was released from Disney’s former brand, touchstone pictures. You can find the movie on Disney plus.

@8gypsysoul8

10y↑178

Every time I hear this song I think of this movie. One of those movies that never gets old for me. Love it!

@ralphcifaretto1

16y↑2

This is an excellent song. Goes really well with this song ending.

@michaeltait6704

Great movie, one of the best from the 90s. One of my wife's and mine favourite movies. Never gets tiresome

@alinedaniele

14y↑8

cara, amo essa música! é muito boaa

@bigphil4928

Woke up this morning with this song in my head 2022 still a great song and awesome movie

@margaritoanzures9207

4y↑2

I ❤ this movie

@joyolem

5y↑6

MELHOR VERSÃO ❤

@peytonandleyton16

13y

THUMBS UP IF THIS SONG CHEERS YOU UP EVERYTIME YOU HEAR IT!!

@wiley2068

14y↑1

I've never been a fan of bands who cover other bands hit songs, but I must admit i do like the Letters to Cleo version

@ventonolitoral2812

3y↑5

Direto de Manaus Amazonas curtindo esse som das boas

@kemarbeckford8112

Hearing this song bring back so much memories I feel so much emotions I wish I could go back in time I don't would definitely go back

@RachelSmith-vo1uf

4y↑3

I play this song every day to cheer me up... works every time

@apointlessnostalgic

14y↑3

I like Cheap Trick, and this is a nice cover!!! well done!

@adreetaibnatkhan4042

2y↑2

Pls tell me someone is still here listening to this masterpiece

@valerieluera5788

4y↑1

Love it 😍 still listening in 2020!

@DisneyStoryMakerGoe

14y↑2

Love the song and the movie!!! RIP Heath Ledger

@tigerette76

14y↑2

Whether you love the old version or this one, they both sound pretty awesome

@hell_oh_beu

9y↑1

La película es muy linda y la rola es bien tierna ;) ¡Me encan!

@MK5Spartan666

8y↑161

It's soul crushing to realise that I was 11 when I first saw this...now I'm 23 and older than Heath Ledger was when he made this movie when I watched it last week...

I'm also still crushed that it's no longer the 90's...

@natenbeccawitcoral

8y↑6

+Scott Burns I'm crushed he's no longer alive :(

@tiarnan76

8y↑4

I'm crushed coz im an empty can of coke thats just been stood on

@Achilles_Bifsas

3y↑2

Now you are 28

Time flies

@robertdowneyjr5478

6 years ago omg ur like 29 years old☹️☹️ 6 years ago i was 9 woah

@finallife87

he was either 19 or 20 depending o when the movie rapped.

2 More Replies...

@cesaralonsotorres1914

9y↑4

gran canción, grandes recuerdos! :,)

@cardflopper3307

5y↑5

i remember watching this in the theaters with some friends a long time ago and thinking it was so lame.... but I didn't realize how precious those times really were

@Bulldogsfan5

12y↑3

R.I.P to one of the greatest actors of all time fly high heath

@TheBlondeGirl100

12y↑2

This song has been STUCK in my head ALL day! xD Everyone were tired of me for singing it all the time -.-

@livexthexlife192

14y

i LOVE this movie soo much! it was the first heath ledger movie i ever saw and i was watching it when i heard he died. but this song is deffo my fave and this movie is hands down one of my fave high school movies ever.

@Ellz2090

13y↑1

i absolutely love this song, no matter who sings it, i just love the lyrics and meaning!!, makes me feel happy the minutee i hear it!! :) <3

@dragonsandsheeprule

14y

by far the best song in the film, with even angels fall as the 2nd

@anaaliciavazquez

14y

me encanta que recuerdos

@rodrigofeitosa429

9y↑5

maravilhosa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! marcou demais minha vida....

@fox577577

14y↑1

R.I.P. Heath Ledger!! You definately are missed. We lost a great guy/actor that day. May God bless you and your family always.

@DelgadoRenee

15y

i dont care wat anybody says this movie will never be forgotin!! This movie is amazing!

@Crabchann

4y↑2

This is the best cover to this song ever honestly I listen to both

@CadyD16

14y↑1

One of the best movies I've ever seen. Even though it's old, that movie is awesome! This song is really awesome also.

@paulaspadafina4488

34w

Love this version of the song. Great Movie! Miss Keith. What a loss. They did a great job on this movie! So Cute!🎉🙏💝😘

@inarazaza8814

2y↑1

Sempre será meu filme favorito 💔

@iPhreakVampire

13y

Ten things I hate about You had to be one of THE best 90's teen movies of all times. I'll never forget the lines and the way she just doesn't aim for his ass but it's such a perfect shot XD !!! R.I.P Heath Leadger xx He had a finesse that was so rare in actors today and he brought his all into every character he played, especially as The Joker. We'll miss you xx

@yadispam

12y

amooo esta cancion y adoroo esta peliii

@TheTigerlily888

11y↑1

Absolutely LOVE this song! Wish Heath was still around. Such an amazing actor x

@Maggi2oo7

16y

great song and a great movie. I'm really sad about Heath Ledger dead. He was a nice actor!

@TheAmiraD

14y↑1

Love this song; whenever I hear it I always rock out to it!

@panzerducky

14y↑1

Best version of this song hands down

@Philoishness

12y↑2

apparently it's one of those days in which I 'pay tribute' to Heath by watching stuff related to him for several hours and crying about it....now that I think about that, I have these days a lot.

@imanim4844

4y↑31

This movie caused me to fall in love with Heath Ledger 💖 him and Julia Stiles were the whole movie

@sharnnnn

12y

R.I.P Heath Ledger, forever missed... That smile, Them eyes, Just you all over, you were perfect and you was taken just like that, you'll NEVER leave our heart, chillax with the angels and we'll see you up there someday xxxxxx

@piscesrealm9839

I love this song 🤍90’s baby forever music is very powerful this song makes me miss home and puts a smile on my face every time and I love this movie

@vlada76329

12y↑1

CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THIS SONG ♥

@vitoria1481

6y↑3

Meu deus viciei!🙃😍🙄

@melodye87

14y↑5

I freakin love this song, this movie, the people in this move. <3 Heath Ledger soooo much. Cried so hard when he died.

@MrsBeautifulkisses

13y↑1

one of the best movies i had seen when i was in high school....brings back memories. RIP Heath :(

@gustavogoncalves2235

Assisti recentemente, mas deu pra entrar no clima do colegial anos 90, algumas coisas são parecidas com colegios particulares do Brasil.

@vitoria87909

6y↑2

Meu filme preferido ❤️

@ventonolitoral2812

Assisto todos os dias em partes kkk ninguém é mais fã do que Eu rs

@betterthanyourname2391

April 10, 2019 , its 20 years later and this movie is still the shit👍🏼 an introduced us to future phenomenal actors and actresses. Heath and Julia made this movie complete❤️Miss you Heath and I hope one day ur daughter all grown up now can realize how much you were loved by ur fans an how much you impacted their lives.

@ResistTheZexyMe

15y

I love this song and this movie!

@tuktukdaniele

12y

one of the best songs in this film.

@Ella-queen97

5y↑6

Say what you will about 90s kids but man we’re the 90s ever so iconic nothing can replace it

@Muhalka

13y↑5

Every time I hear this song, remember HIS smile <3 RIP Heathy :(

@kociaarka

13y

Super muza :-)

@cherieqa2604

This song has got to be my favorite song from this movie

@betchesfromwisconsin

12y

I am reading a book about him right now.... i started reading it and i started to cry.........I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!!!

@mullindriver2

12y

They just dont make them like they used to. One of the best movies ever made!

@victoria-ht5gw

3y↑1

this song and the whole movie bring back the best and the most precious memories

@fernandopreciado837

8y↑9

You cannot hear this song and not be reminded by you know who. RIP

@chimp_stiffy5444

4y↑1

Voldemort?

@importantguy314

9y↑16

Heath had so many great performances left in him when he died, it's a shame we couldn't get to see any of them.

@enginnergt

14y↑1

! the song is preciosa, bella y me pone muy feliz ¡ And the movie is one of my favorites

@kristijanjeza605

9y↑133

Nobody will play Joker as he did, respect to that....R.I.P.

@dustinduncan5062

5y↑1

Kristijan Jeza it’s a shame his best performance literally killed him

@MrZmake

5y↑3

I love the 90s! I often say I'd spare everything I've achieve in life to live through january 1st 1990 to december 31st 1999... spending all the time on december 31st 1999 crying over the greatest epoch in the human existence.... I love the 90s so much and miss them so much.... I fucking miss Heath Ledger, he fucking left us too young.... I miss the time this movie was shot.... Shakespeare should've been born in the 1970's to write this masterpiece.... Such an amazing movie... such an amazing time. I've seen the movie 1000 times at least and I'll keep on watching it till I'm alive! I love this movie... I love the 90s.... I was born in the right time but I'm living too long... I want to re-live the 90s.... I miss the 90s.... I miss the 90s.... ;( ;( ;(.. I love tou 90s life was so much better back then.... I love you...

@ssaye89

15y

I really am going to miss Heath Ledger. He was really a great actor.

@RachelDex

8y↑212

freaking love this song ♥ ♥ ♥

@claudiomansilla8639

no, you freaking don't.

@mahbubmunna61

🎯🎯🎯

@fredslick643

6y↑1

Best rendition!!

@cdreeam2

14y

Sounds a little little little bit good, but nobody can play that song better than Cheap Trick.

@cowboyviper

12y

R.I.P Heath the rest of us Aussies miss you

@PotionsPunk

11y↑1

Love this song.

@zapdos200

14y

so sad that heath is gone!!! but its an awesome song and movie :)

@theresa90210

14y

lovee the movie and this song especially!! but its soo difficult watchin the movie coz i just feel like cryin...RIP Heath Ledger, you are truly missed xxx

@jordanolivia763

4y↑9

Only 12 I still know what a good song and movie is 😀

@jalopor

10y

Increíble que Gael Garcia saco el cover de esta canción en música banda para la película Rudo y Cursi

@rhiiiiaction

11y

love this song sooo much!!!

@emmar2675

5y↑3

I LOVE THIS MOVIE AND SONG SO MUCH!!!

@MFIORE7511

14y

This is the song you put on the loudspeaker right when the aliens get out of their spaceships and are ready to eat us---then they hear this and start dancing and partying with US. God bless Rock and Roll, Long live Berry, Strummer and Lennon,Rap go away with Madonna and Britney---take Lady Gaga with you if you dont mind. Or how about we put them on that spaceship with the aliens !

@petercrucero8090

10y

They should make an official video of this from the movie, like they do in the 90's.. :)

@thepealord

14y

people hate this version of the song but it's pretty awesome.

@birgitmilbrandt3715

11y↑1

Total toll!! I love this song.

@pretty0728

13y↑1

I love the movie and the song!!! <3

@thedopelife

15y

i love it. heath was so good in it. but he's good in everything he's done. pity

@ceciliamorales2963

5y↑4

I always want to cry with this beautiful and great song!✨😭

I can’t help but keep thinking about that boy who just doesn’t want me back... 💔

@Midnightsunpm

13y

I love this song! why do I not own this soundtrack!?

@cassandradavies5222

8y↑29

I miss Heath so much :'(
Such an amazing actor

@wedonthavetobreed

11y↑1

This movie is awesome! The song fits so well

@ceciliamorales2963

5y↑1

Love this song and movie so much, seems like the 90s were absolutely the best! 💕💘
This also melts my feelings...
I wish the guy I’m attracted to would ever look at me at school... 💔

@tahnyorozco4264

7y↑1

I loves this song <3

@sweetbabysophie

13y

this movie had some bangin songs. great movie and great soundtrack

@carolroenick9762

@Wompness

11y

The depressing moment when after watching this movie I forgot that Heath is not with us anymore. :(( Now I'm sad. I'm gonna go now and roll up into a ball and cry. RIP Heath Ledger you are missed by many. Love you bby<3