The song "I Want You To Want Me" is not originally by Gretchen Wilson, but by the band Cheap Trick. However, Gretchen Wilson did cover the song, and her version carries a similar sentiment to the original. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and desire for someone's love and attention. The protagonist is expressing their intense need for the person to reciprocate their feelings. They want to be wanted, needed, and loved back. The chorus repeats these desires multiple times, emphasizing their urgency. In the verses, the protagonist is willing to make an effort to please their love interest. They mention shining up their old brown shoes, putting on a brand new shirt, and coming home early from work, showing their willingness to go the extra mile for love. The second part of the song refers to a situation where the protagonist saw their love interest crying and feeling alone. They question whether they were there for them during those moments of distress, highlighting their concern and offering support. Overall, "I Want You To Want Me" is a plea for reciprocal love and attention. The protagonist desires a deeper connection and hopes their love interest will acknowledge their feelings.
