I Want You Back
Stevie Salas Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I had you to myself
I didn't want you around
Those pretty faces always made you
Stand out in a crowd
But someone picked you from the bunch
One glance was all it took
Now it's much too late for me
To take second look

Oh baby give me one more chance
To show you that I love you
Won't you please send me back in your heart

Oh darlin' I was blind to let you go
But now since I see you in his arms
I want you back
Yes I do now
I want you back
Ooh ooh baby
Yeah yeah, naw

Trying to live without your love
Is one long sleepless night
Let me show you girl
That I know wrong from right

Every street you walk on
I leave tear stains on the ground
Following the girl
I didn't even want around
Oh baby give me one more chance
To show you that I love you
Won't you please send me back in your heart

Abuh buh buh buh
All I want!
Abuh buh buh buh




All I need!
Abuh buh buh buh

Overall Meaning

In Stevie Salas's song "I Want You Back", the lyrics tell the story of a man who has lost the woman he loves. The verses explain how he took her presence for granted, failing to appreciate her beauty and value. However, he realizes his mistake when someone else shows interest in her and takes her away from him. He now regrets his negligence and wants a chance to prove his love to her, hoping to rekindle the relationship they once shared. The chorus expresses the man's yearning for a second chance to win her heart back. He admits that he was blind to let her go and that he now knows the difference between right and wrong. The man's heartbreak is palpable as he explains that he leaves tears behind every time he sees her with someone else.


The chorus repeats itself, as if the man is pleading and begging for forgiveness, unable to move on. The repetition of "Abuh buh buh buh" at the end of the song symbolizes the man's desperation to have the woman back in his life. He is unable to articulate how much she means to him, but his emotions are clear through the simple melody, backed by a catchy guitar riff.


Overall, "I Want You Back" is a timeless song that captures the pain of lost love and the longing for a second chance. Through the lyrics, Stevie Salas masterfully conveys the raw emotions that come with heartbreak, reflecting a relatable experience that listeners can connect with.


Line by Line Meaning

When I had you to myself
When we were together before


I didn't want you around
I didn't appreciate you enough


Those pretty faces always made you
You were attractive and caught the attention of others


Stand out in a crowd
You were noticeable and special


But someone picked you from the bunch
Someone else chose you over me


One glance was all it took
They were immediately drawn to you


Now it's much too late for me
I realize I should have valued you more


To take second look
To give our relationship another chance


Oh baby give me one more chance
Please allow us to try again


To show you that I love you
To demonstrate my feelings for you


Won't you please send me back in your heart
Please let me back into your life


Oh darlin' I was blind to let you go
I made a mistake by ending our relationship


But now since I see you in his arms
Seeing you with someone else made me realize my feelings


I want you back
I want us to reconcile


Yes I do now
I am sure of my feelings


Ooh ooh baby
My love for you


Yeah yeah, naw
My desire for you


Trying to live without your love
Being without you is difficult


Is one long sleepless night
It's hard to sleep without you


Let me show you girl
I want to prove my love to you


That I know wrong from right
I have learned from my mistakes


Every street you walk on
Wherever you go


I leave tear stains on the ground
I am emotional without you


Following the girl
I am still pursuing you


I didn't even want around
I didn't realize how much I wanted you until you were gone


Abuh buh buh buh
Expressing my love and desire for you


All I want!
You are all I want


Abuh buh buh buh
My love and desire for you


All I need!
I cannot live without you


Abuh buh buh buh
My strong feelings for you




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Freddie Perren, Alphonso Mizell, Deke Richards, Berry Gordy Jr

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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