One of the best known American power pop bands, the group's biggest hits over the years include "I Want You to Want Me", "Surrender", "Dream Police", "Don't Be Cruel" (a cover of Elvis Presley's hit), and "The Flame". Their most recent release, The Latest, has gained critical acclaim. They also wrote and performed the theme song for "The Colbert Report" as well as "That 70s Show", both tunes being fan favorites.
Nielsen and Petersson originally formed the group as Fuse in 1967, with Carlos joining the group several years later; however, when Zander joined as vocalist in 1972, the group was renamed Cheap Trick. Zander is considered one of the best hard rock vocalists of his era. For their part, Tom Petersson has been known for playing custom made 8, 12, and even a 18 string custom bass made by Modulus for Tom in 1981 and Rick Nielsen also has a penchant for unusual instruments. He owns and plays a five-necked solidbody electric guitar (it can be seen in the video for the song "She's Tight" among others).
Studio Albums
(1977) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(1977) In Color
(1978) Heaven Tonight
(1979) Dream Police
(1980) All Shook Up
(1980) Found All The Parts
(1982) One on One
(1983) Next Position Please
(1985) Standing on the Edge
(1986) The Doctor
(1988) Lap of Luxury
(1990) Busted
(1994) Woke Up With A Monster
(1997) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(2003) Special One
(2006) Rockford
(2009) The Latest
(2016) Bang, Zoom, Crazy...Hello
(2017) We're All Alright!
(2021) In Another World
[Live Albums]
(1978) At Budokan
(1978) Budokan II
(1998) At Budokan: the Complete Concert
(1999) Music for Hangovers
(2001) Silver
Listen To Me
Cheap Trick Lyrics
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Something's got to give
Gonna keep on rockin'
Why should she?
Early to bed, early to rise
Look at my leg, look at the size
Look at the size
Satisfied point of view
From where I'm standing
All this attention, all of this points to you
You, you, you don't listen to me
Now, now I'm ready for you
Hope you're ready, ready as me
You should listen to me
Hope you're ready for me
I know I'm ready for you
No, no you don't listen to me
I know you won't listen to me
Early to bed, early to rise
Look at my hands, look at the size
Look at the size
Similar situation
Satisfied point of view
From where I'm standing
All this attention, all of this points to you
You, you, you don't listen to me
Now, now I'm ready for you
Hope you're ready, ready as me
Well, you should listen to me
Hope you're ready for me
I know I'm ready for you
No, no you don't listen to me
I know you won't listen to me
I've got a feeling that you don't approve
Want big damage 'tween me and you
You want to stick a car that's stuck out you
So eye to eye, we'll see it through
You, you, you don't listen to me
Now, now I'm ready for you
Hope you're ready, ready as me
You should listen to me
Hope you're ready for me
I know I'm ready for you
No, no you don't listen to me
I know you won't listen to me
The song "Listen to Me" from Cheap Trick starts with a straightforward and confident message. The first lines suggest that something needs to give and the singer seems to be determined to keep on rocking. The lines "why should she?" imply that perhaps someone has criticized the singer for their behavior, but they're not interested in conforming. The next lines about going to bed early and getting up early, and looking at the size of their leg and hand, suggest a possible reference to working hard or playing hard. However, the emphasis shifts to the "similar situation" and the "satisfied point of view." These lines suggest that the singer is content with their life and actions, despite what others may think.
The chorus then reiterates the message that the listener isn't paying attention to the singer's demands. The lines "I know you won't listen to me" add a hint of frustration to the message. The third verse suggests that the listener disapproves of the actions of the singer and wants to create some sort of conflict between them. However, the singer seems to believe that if they confront the issues directly, they can overcome them. The song ends with the repeated chorus, a sign of the singer's determination to make their voice heard even if the other party isn't willing to listen.
Overall, the song seems to be about someone who is confident in their life choices but is frustrated that others may not be respecting their choices. The singer wants their voice and opinions to be valued and heard, even if their viewpoint doesn't align with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Right! Right!
Affirmation and agreement, indicating a shared understanding and determination.
Something's got to give
There must be a change, something needs to happen.
Gonna keep on rockin'
We will persist and continue on with our music and message.
Why should she?
Questioning why someone (in this case, a woman) should conform to society's expectations and standards.
Early to bed, early to rise
The cliché phrase suggests the importance of discipline and hard work.
Look at my leg, look at the size
Pointing out a physical characteristic that is larger than usual or impressive.
Look at the size
Reiterating the previous line and emphasizing how impressive the physical characteristic is.
Similar situation
Referring to a comparable scenario or circumstance.
Satisfied point of view
Content with one's perspective or opinion on a matter.
From where I'm standing
Expressing a personal point of view and perspective.
All this attention, all of this points to you
Drawing attention to someone (in this case, a woman) who is the center of focus and scrutiny.
You, you, you don't listen to me
Expressing frustration with someone who won't pay attention to what is being said.
Now, now I'm ready for you
Confident in one's readiness to confront and engage with the other person.
Hope you're ready, ready as me
Expressing a hope that the other person is equally prepared and determined.
You should listen to me
Urging the other person to pay attention and take what is being said seriously.
Hope you're ready for me
Expecting that the other person is prepared for the consequences of their actions against the artist.
I know I'm ready for you
Confident in one's own preparedness and ability to confront the other person.
No, no you don't listen to me
Reiterating the frustration that the other person won't pay attention to what the singer is saying.
I've got a feeling that you don't approve
Sensing that the other person disapproves of the singer's actions or behavior.
Want big damage 'tween me and you
Desiring significant consequences or repercussions for the other person's actions against the artist.
You want to stick a car that's stuck out you
Using a metaphor of someone being stubborn to describe the other person's behavior.
So eye to eye, we'll see it through
Facing each other directly and openly to confront the issue and work towards a resolution.
No, no you don't listen to me
Reiterating once again the frustration that the other person won't pay attention to the singer.
I know you won't listen to me
Resigned to the fact that the other person won't change their behavior, but still determined to confront the issue.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ROBIN ZANDER, RICK NIELSEN, JULIAN RAYMOND, DAXX NIELSEN, TOM PETERSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind