Emerging from the singer-songwriter boom of the early 1970s, Lobo, the stage name of singer-songwriter Roland Kent La Voie, released a song that resonated with hearts yearning for reciprocation: “I’d Love You To Want Me.” Launched in 1972 as the second single from his sophomore album “Of a Simple Man,” the song became Lobo’s most commercially successful single, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and spending two weeks in that coveted spot.
“I’d Love You To Want Me” falls under the umbrella of soft rock, a genre characterized by its mellow instrumentation and introspective lyrics. La Voie himself composed and produced the song, creating a soundscape marked by gentle acoustic guitar strumming, subtle piano flourishes, and a soft yet driving drumbeat. The arrangement provides a canvas for his warm baritone vocals, which deliver the song’s message of longing and unrequited love with both sincerity and vulnerability.
The lyrical narrative revolves around the protagonist’s unspoken feelings towards someone they deeply admire. Lines like “When I saw you standin’ there, I ’bout fell out my chair” and “Now somethin’ in my soul just cries, I see the want in your blue eyes” reveal the depth of his emotions and his yearning for a connection that remains unfulfilled.
The song’s success transcended the charts. It earned Lobo a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist in 1973, solidifying his place in the burgeoning soft rock scene. “I’d Love You To Want Me” has also found enduring cultural relevance, featuring in various films and television shows throughout the decades.
As we delve deeper into “I’d Love You To Want Me,” we will analyze its musical composition, explore the complexities of its lyrical themes, and examine its lasting impact on the landscape of popular music, particularly within the realm of soft rock and the exploration of unrequited love.