The bands initial line-up featured Pär Wiksten (vocals, guitars), Christina Bergmark (keyboards, vocals), Stefan Schönfeldt (guitars) and his younger brother Frederick Schönfeldt (bass) with Gunnar Karlsson (drums) and Björn Malmquist (violin). Karlsson was later replaced by Erik Dahlgren.
Early influences included Australian band The Go-Betweens as well as The Sisters Of Mercy.
The band released six studio albums in their 21 year career including the commercially successful Be A Girl (1994) and Bagsy Me (1997).
Part-way through recording their seventh studio album the band officially announced their split in April 2009 with Pär Wiksten going solo.
2020 the band returned together and released the single Can't Kill The Musikk and will tour during 2021.
What You Want
The Wannadies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From heaven sent, the omniscient
And I'm depending on your fear
Consolation in a strange way, dear
What you want, what you need
What you want to believe in
What you want to achieve
What you want to, I won't let you
Because I love you, yeah
Manipulation of the soul
Don't try to win, I'm in control
Whatever pleases you I fear
Consolation is getting stranger, dear
What you want, what you need
What you want to believe in
What you want to achieve
What you want to believe in, yeah
What you want, what you need
What you want to, I won't let you
Because I love you
The Wannadies's song What You Want is about power dynamics in relationships, where one partner is manipulating the other for their own benefit. The singer is in control, using fear as a means of dependence and seeking consolation in strange ways. The repeated refrain, "What you want, what you need," implies that the singer knows what their partner desires and is denying them those things for the sake of maintaining control. Despite this manipulation, the singer claims to love their partner, suggesting that they believe their actions are ultimately in the other person's best interest.
The line "From heaven sent, the omniscient" suggests that the singer sees themselves as all-knowing and even divine in their power and control over their partner. The idea of depending on someone's fear is unsettling, as it implies that the singer is using fear as a tool to keep their partner reliant on them. Similarly, the idea of finding consolation in strange ways indicates that the singer's manipulation might be taking a darker turn.
Overall, What You Want is a cautionary tale about abusive relationships and the dangers of power dynamics. It shows how one partner can use fear and control to manipulate the other, ultimately leading to a toxic situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm firm and calm with you in my arms
I hold you with confidence and peace
From heaven sent, the omniscient
You are my perfect match, as if you were sent from above - all-knowing
And I'm depending on your fear
I rely on your apprehension to control you
Consolation in a strange way, dear
Your comfort and solace is taking an unusual form, my love
What you want, what you need
Tell me your desires and requirements
What you want to believe in
What do you want to trust or have faith in?
What you want to achieve
Your aspirations and goals - what are they?
What you want to believe in
What do you want to have faith in?
What you want to, I won't let you
If it goes against my desires for you, I won't permit it
Because I love you, yeah
My love for you is the reason why I'm controlling you
Manipulation of the soul
I'm using psychological tactics to control you
Don't try to win, I'm in control
Don't attempt to defy me, I have the power
Whatever pleases you I fear
I'm scared of what you might enjoy
Consolation is getting stranger, dear
The comfort I provide is becoming more bizarre, my love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTINA BERGMARK, FREDRIK SCHONFELDT, STEFAN SCHONFELDT, PAR WIKSTEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@egonjensen6506
Romeo + Juliet. This song makes me think of this short-lived excitement when you think you have met the right girl
@swaggypanda1808
falling down pfp!!
@invisinvle4747
this is perfect
@sulyokpeter3941
Top comment in my opinion :D I think the same when I heard this song first in radio.
@ShawtySurelyTrifling
I wanted to like this comment, but then I’d mess up 420 likes
@invisinvle4747
@@ShawtySurelyTrifling i unliked
@philipgage1072
I Am 60 years old and have been married for 40 years. My beautiful wife who I met when she was 16 and I was 17 is dying. She has terminal cancer. We had 5 children and now have 8 grandchildren. She may be gone soon but this remains - It was always you, and me, always! And Forever!
@belenginebra4467
💗
@Jaworth95
I can't fully comprehend what you're going through right now because I haven't lost anyone, but hang in there! Savior every moment with your wife and keep telling her you love her. Much respect
@philipgage1072
Thank you for that :-) I tell her I love every chance I get. I also wrote this poem for her.
We've walked this path together for more than 40 years,
We had our share and laughter, and more than our share of tears,
The path was long and tested us so many times, it's true,
But I'd have never walked this far with anyone but you.