After becoming instant Top 40 material with their driving hit Right Now and the lesser-known Politically Correct on their first album, the band slowly shied from the limelight for its second album, part of the reason the third album was not released in the US.
In recent days lead singer Mitch Allan has pursued a solo career, reworking some SR-71 songs and creating some of his own. SR-71 split in 2007, but reformed in 2009.
The name of the band came from SR-71 Blackbird, a retired supersonic surveillance aircraft of the United States Air Force.
Current Members:
* Mitch Allan - lead vocals, guitar
* Pat DeMent - guitar, backing vocals
* Mike Ruocco - bass, backing vocals
* John Allen - drums, percussion, backing vocals
Former members:
* Dan Garvin - drums, percussion, backing vocals (1998–2001)
* Mark Beauchemin - guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1998–2003)
* Jeff Reid - bass, keyboards, backing vocals (1998–2003)
I Want You to Want Me
SR-71 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me
And I'm begging you to beg me
I want you to want me
I need you to need me
And I'd love you to love me
I'll shine up my old brown shoes
I put on a brand new shirt
I 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
And I'm begging you to beg me
I'll shine up my old brown shoes
I put on a brand new shirt
I 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
And 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
And I want you to want me
The lyrics of SR-71's "I Want You To Want Me" are a plea for love and attention from someone the singer desires. The repetition of the phrases "I want you to want me," "I need you to need me," and "I'd love you to love me" highlight the desperation and yearning of the singer. The lines "I'll shine up my old brown shoes, I put on a brand new shirt, I get home early from work if you say that you love me" suggest that the singer is willing to go to great lengths to please the object of their affection.
The chorus is followed by a bridge that appears to be the singer's attempt to convince the object of their affection that they have been paying attention to their feelings - "Didn't I see you crying? Feeling all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dying." The bridge also serves to highlight the singer's empathy and understanding, and serves as a further appeal for love.
The repeated refrain of "I want you to want me" at the end of the song serves as a final plea for love and attention, ending the song on a tone of desperation.
Line by Line Meaning
I want you to want me
I desire for you to desire me on a romantic and intimate level
I need you to need me
I rely on and depend on you to require my affection and attention
I'd love you to love me
It would bring me immense joy and happiness if you reciprocated my feelings of love for you
And I'm begging you to beg me
I am pleading with you to implore me to return your affection, as I am willing and eager to do so
I'll shine up my old brown shoes
I will put effort into my appearance, symbolized by shining my worn shoes
I put on a brand new shirt
I will wear new clothing to present myself attractively to you
I get home early from work
I will prioritize and make time for you by leaving work early and arranging my schedule to spend time with you
If you say that you love me
I will be motivated and inspired if you reciprocate my feelings of love
Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you crying
I witnessed you in a vulnerable and emotional state, which makes me want to comfort and support you
Feeling all alone without a friend you know you feel like dying
You are experiencing extreme loneliness and despair, and feel like giving up
Hey
An exclamation to grab the listener's attention or to transition to the next statement
Contributed by Gabriella B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.