Cheap Trick is an American power pop/rock n roll band from Rockford, Illino… Read Full Bio ↴Cheap Trick is an American power pop/rock n roll band from Rockford, Illinois that's played for over four decades, and in 2016 was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Having gained popularity in the late-70s centered within the Midwest and within Japan, the band members are Rick Nielsen (guitarist and main songwriter), Bun E. Carlos (born Brad Carlson) (drums), Robin Zander (vocals and guitars), and Tom Petersson (bass guitar). Though they have had only flirtations with mainstream national success such as the multi-platinum smash At Budokan, Cheap Trick has held a substantial following through regular touring and a hard-edged yet blissful pop sound that combines the tunefulness of The Beatles with the speed and energy of punk rock, with many musicians and music journalists being fans.

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

Space
Cheap Trick Lyrics

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You push hard, you stop my circulation
I know you really need a physical relation
We may not be a perfect combination
You need your love, I need my mental stimulation

If I'm not there, defend my reputation
Well, that don't mean that there's a real negotiation
Take a longer look, this could be privacy invasion

What makes you think you've got that fascination?
I need space, oh, oh
Come back some other time and place
I need some more space
I need some

I know you're burnin' with anticipation
Hold on, here comes your education
Make sure it's love not just infatuation
Tell me why you always lead me to that destination

I need space, oh, oh
Come back some other time and place
I need some more space
I need some
I need some
Ooohhhh I need some
Ooohhhh I need some

You push hard, you stop my circulation
I know you really need a physical relation
We may not be a perfect combination
You need your love, I need my mental stimulation

I need space, oh, oh
Come back some other time and place
I need some more space
I need some

I need space, oh, oh
Come back some other time and place
I need some more space
I need some

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

I need some space

I need some space
I need some space

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Space" by Cheap Trick express the singer's desire for personal space in a romantic relationship. The opening lines suggest that the other person's need for physical intimacy is overwhelming and stifling, leading to a loss of circulation (likely a metaphor for feeling suffocated or trapped). The singer acknowledges that the two of them may not be a perfect match since they have different needs - the other person needing love and the singer requiring intellectual stimulation.

The chorus repeats the singer's plea for space, emphasizing that they need more room to breathe in this relationship. The second verse shifts toward the singer schooling the other person about what true love is and warning them not to confuse it with infatuation. The final lines circle back to the first verse, repeating the theme of the need for space.

The lyrics' tone is firm but not necessarily cold or unfriendly. It seems like the singer wants to be understood and doesn't want to hurt the other person's feelings, but also can't compromise on their own needs.

Overall, "Space" is a relatable and straightforward song with a catchy melody and lyrics that capture the difficulties and disagreements that can arise in romantic relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

You push hard, you stop my circulation
Your actions are suffocating me and it's affecting me physically

I know you really need a physical relation
I understand that you have a strong physical desire

We may not be a perfect combination
We may not be compatible in every way

You need your love, I need my mental stimulation
You need love and I need intellectual and emotional stimulation

If I'm not there, defend my reputation
If I'm not around, make sure you speak highly of me

Well, that don't mean that there's a real negotiation
Just because I'm asking you to do something doesn't mean we're negotiating

Take a longer look, this could be privacy invasion
Think about what you're doing, it could be an invasion of my privacy

What makes you think you've got that fascination?
Why do you think you're so interested in me?

I need space, oh, oh
I need some time to myself

Come back some other time and place
Please come back another time or in another place

I need some more space
I need more space than what you're giving me

I know you're burnin' with anticipation
I know you're really excited and eager

Hold on, here comes your education
Wait and listen, I'm about to teach you something

Make sure it's love not just infatuation
Make sure what you're feeling is true love and not just a crush

Tell me why you always lead me to that destination
Explain why you keep pushing us towards being together

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

I need some space
I need some time to myself

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: HOLLY KNIGHT, MIKE CHAPMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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