Two of the band's singles reached the U.S. top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100: "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" and "Brand New Lover".
"You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" peaked at number one for two weeks in 1985 in the UK, then charted again in 2006 following Burns' appearance on the television reality show Celebrity Big Brother and on season 4 of Stranger Things. It also became the first of two singles to top the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. In December 2016, Billboard ranked them as the 96th most successful "dance artist" of all time. The band was discontinued following Pete Burns' death in 2016.
What I Want
Dead or Alive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can have anything that I want
What I need, what I need, what I want
What I want, what I need, what I need
I can have anything that I want
But what you want from me I don't what none
Because that stuff don't appeal to me
But what I want's got simplicity
What I want it wants only me
What I want don't say no at all
Listen blue eyes, shut up
You've got what I want, what I want
What I need, what I need
What I want what I want
What I need, what I need
You have got it all
Well I know how to have a good time
And I know how to wipe up the thin white line
And I know how to let my backbone slip (uh)
I can do what I want but I don't do nothing
But what I want's got simplicity
What I want it wants only me
What I want don't say no at all
Listen blue eyes, shut up
You've got what I want, what I want
What I need, what I need
What I want what I want
What I need, what I need
You have got it all
But what I want's got simplicity
What I want it wan't me, me, me
What I want well it ain't plucked chicken
Listen blue eyes, shut up
You've got what I want
The song "What I Want" by Dead or Alive is about wanting simplicity in life, rather than material possessions or societal expectations. The lyrics suggest that the singer can have anything they want, but they don't want what society deems important like watching TV or acquiring wealth. They want something that is only for them, something that is simple and true. The lyrics are also a declaration of freedom - the singer can do what they want but they choose not to do anything unless it's what they truly want.
The repetition of the phrases "what I want" and "what I need" in the lyrics emphasizes the importance of the singer's desires and the clear distinction between the two. The line "listen blue eyes, shut up" suggests that someone is trying to tell the singer what they should want or need, but the singer knows what they want and doesn't need anyone else's input. The reference to drugs in the second verse suggests that the singer has sought out pleasure, but ultimately they still want something simple and only for themselves.
Overall, "What I Want" speaks to a desire for individuality and simplicity, rather than following societal expectations or materialistic desires.
Line by Line Meaning
What I want, what I need
I am aware of my desires and necessities.
I can have anything that I want
I have the freedom to obtain whatever my heart desires.
But what you want from me I don't what none
I am not interested in fulfilling your desires for me.
And I don't want to watch the TV
Because that stuff don't appeal to me
I do not find the TV appealing and prefer to spend my time elsewhere.
What I want's got simplicity
I seek uncomplicated and straightforward desires.
What I want it wants only me
My desires are exclusive and centered only on myself.
What I want don't say no at all
My desires are not denied or opposed.
Listen blue eyes, shut up
Addressing someone with blue eyes, I want them to be quiet and listen to me.
You've got what I want, what I want
You possess what I desire.
Well I know how to have a good time
I am capable of enjoying myself.
And I know how to wipe up the thin white line
I know how to clean up cocaine.
And I know how to let my backbone slip (uh)
I can do what I want but I don't do nothing
I have the ability to let loose and relax, but I have no specific desires to fulfill.
What I want it wan't me, me, me
My desires are not self-centered.
What I want well it ain't plucked chicken
My desires are not something easily obtainable.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL PERCY, MICHAEL DAVID PERCY, PETER JOZZEPI BURNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gagegosling3562
What I want, what I need
I can have anything that I want
What I need, what I need, what I want
What I want, what I need, what I need
I can have anything that I want
But what you want from me I don't what none
And I don't want to watch the TV
Because that stuff don't appeal to me
But what I want's got simplicity
What I want it wants only me
What I want don't say no at all
Listen blue eyes, shut up
You've got what I want, what I want
What I need, what I need
What I want what I want
What I need, what I need
You have got it all
Well I know how to have a good time
And I know how to wipe up the thin white line
And I know how to let my backbone slip (uh)
I can do what I want but I don't do nothing
But what I want's got simplicity
What I want it wants only me
What I want don't say no at all
Listen blue eyes, shut up
You've got what I want, what I want
What I need, what I need
What I want what I want
What I need, what I need
You have got it all
But what I want's got simplicity
What I want it wan't me, me, me
What I want well it ain't plucked chicken
Listen blue eyes, shut up
You've got what I want
@ILOVEMEW10
I’m 51yrs old. I don’t look it though.It was a privilege to be around back then when these new bands came out. The partying was the best as well. This song is so good. Aren’t we lucky to have memories?
@ForeverMPH
I love it when he says, "I can do what I want, but I don't do nothing." Great line!!
@gregorypatrick2844
"Listen, blue eyes. SHUT UP!!"
@annmaria1991
Forever MPH
Completely agree 👍
Greetings ❤
@danielhogue7793
It was this album that introduced me to Dead or Alive. Blasted it in my bedroom and drove my mother nuts. Then she learned to love them all before "Youthquake" was ever released. Love, love, love!
@zmrzlinakopeckova3439
R.I.P. Pete and Steve... Never forgotten
@MrClassicDoctorWho
It's a shame all they're widely remembered for is you spin me round...I mean that's a great song but there's so many of their forgotten classics like this. Good music is still possible to find you just gotta look a little bit harder :)
@Pocketryu
So true, so true.
@80sfreak14
This, absolutely nothing, I wanna be a toy, then there was you, cake and eat it and big daddy of the rhythm fit perfectly into that category.
@creacherfeacher8232
Funny thing- I'm listening to this right now because my friend found it unacceptable that Right Round was the only song I knew