I Want You 'Round
Marvin Gaye Lyrics


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I want you the right way, I want you but I want you to want me too
Want you to want me, baby, just like I want you

I give you all the love, I want in return, sweet darlin'
But half of love is all I feel
It's too bad, it's just too sad, you don't want me now
But I'm gonna change your mind, someway, somehow, oh baby
I want you the right way, I want you but I want you to want me too
I want you to want me, baby, just like I want you

This one way love is just a fantasy, oh sugar
To share is precious, pure an' fair
Don't play with somethin', you should cherish for life, oh baby
Don't you wanna care, ain't it lonely out there

I want you the right way, I want you but I want you to want me too
I want you to get down, baby, when I get down with you

I want you the right way, baby
I want you, baby, but I want you to want me too, baby





Want you to want me, baby, just like I want you

Overall Meaning

In the song "I Want You" by Marvin Gaye, the singer expresses his desire for the object of his affection. He is honest about his feelings and wants the other person to reciprocate his feelings. He says that he wants the person, but he wants the person to want him back. He wants a mutual affection that is based on a real connection rather than one-way love. He is willing to give all his love and wants the same from the other person but states that half love is all he feels, which is sad.


The singer emphasizes the importance of sharing and cherishing love for life, as it is precious, pure, and fair. He warns the other person not to play with something they should cherish for life. He asks if the other person wants to care and if it's lonely out there. He desires a real connection and encourages the other person to reciprocate his love because he wants to get down with them. He sings in a sultry voice and uses the upbeat melody to convey his message.


Line by Line Meaning

I want you the right way, I want you but I want you to want me too
I desire a relationship with you in which we both have mutual feelings for each other.


Want you to want me, baby, just like I want you
I want you to have the same level of desire and affection for me that I have for you.


I give you all the love, I want in return, sweet darlin'
I am willing to give you all my love but I also want it to be reciprocated.


But half of love is all I feel
I feel that my love for you is not fully returned or appreciated.


It's too bad, it's just too sad, you don't want me now
It's unfortunate and disappointing that you don't have feelings for me at the moment.


But I'm gonna change your mind, someway, somehow, oh baby
Despite your current lack of interest, I am determined to change your feelings towards me.


This one way love is just a fantasy, oh sugar
The idea of having a one-sided love is unrealistic and not sustainable in reality.


To share is precious, pure an' fair
Sharing love and emotions in a relationship is valuable, sincere, and equitable.


Don't play with somethin', you should cherish for life, oh baby
Don't treat something as important as love casually or carelessly, it is something to be cherished and treasured forever.


Don't you wanna care, ain't it lonely out there
Don't you want to feel loved and cared for, isn't it lonely to be without someone who truly cares for you.


I want you to get down, baby, when I get down with you
I want us to share a deep connection where we both feel the same level of intimacy and passion.


I want you the right way, baby
I want our relationship to be grounded in mutual respect, trust, and commitment.


I want you, baby, but I want you to want me too, baby
I want to be with you but I also want you to want to be with me as well.


Want you to want me, baby, just like I want you
I want us to share an equal and reciprocal love for each other.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR., WILLIAM STEVENSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

boomerang905

This is one of the most beautiful duets out of Motown. Many people give it to Marvin and Tammy. I always loved him with Kim Weston. I fell in love with my husband on this. So beautiful, haunting and makes me feel sad but thrilled to. My husband passed on....

Susan Berry

I want you round means so much to me for my true love he just passed .

Theodora Carter

I Agree!

Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox

Beauty, class, wit...it's all here in this song. I like the way the horn section punches in with those brief comments- sounds like a very elegant, big band sort of arrangement. Marvin and Kim have the voices that make you want to listen over and over to this song (although Mary and Smokey did a stunning performance on their version as well!)

frankie hunter

This song is sheer brilliance. Indescribably excellent. The arrangement out of this world.

Lorena Ot

Canelita en rama!!!!!!

boomerang905

I love the sound of Motown, particularly in this. It's larger than life and Marvin and Kim rise to it. Still my favorite.

Veronica De Hoyos

I love this version! 😚

boomerang905

I always have to come back to this and reflect. It's too pretty and filled with memories. It makes me happy though to think of the simplicity of those days compared to now and how young people were inspired by songs like this. I met my husband much much later after this recording, but he played it for me and I realized his good taste in music and for some reason, that appealed to me. I know Mr. Gaye made a splash with Tammy but I loved him with Kim, truly.

Roger Piiru

This by far my favorite version of this song. Although I was only 5 yrs old when this was recorded it fondly reminds me of the sway of the 60s. I remember my aunt playing it when her boyfriend returned home from Vietnam.

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