"Don't You Want Me" is a song by British synth-pop group the Human League (credited on the cover as the Human League 100). It was released on 27 November 1981 as the fourth single from their third studio album, Dare (1981). The band's best known and most commercially successful song, it was the best selling UK single of 1981,[5] that year's Christmas number one, and has since sold over 1,560,000 copies in the UK, making it the 23rd-most successful single in UK Singles Chart history.[6] It topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the US on 3 July 1982, where it stayed for three weeks.
"Don't You Want Me" | ||||
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Single by the Human League | ||||
from the album Dare | ||||
B-side | "Seconds" | |||
Released | 27 November 1981 | |||
Recorded | 1981 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:57 (album version) 3:27 (video version) | |||
Label | Virgin | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Martin Rushent | |||
The Human League singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Don't You Want Me" on YouTube |
In November 1983, Rolling Stone named it the "breakthrough song" of the Second British Invasion of the US.[7] In 2015, the song was voted by the British public as the nation's seventh-favourite 1980s number one in a poll for ITV.[8] And in 2022, Rolling Stone ranked it as one of the "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time".[9]
Background
editThe lyrics were inspired after lead singer Philip Oakey read a photo-story in a teen-girl's magazine. Though the song had been conceived and recorded in the studio as a male solo, Oakey was inspired by the film A Star Is Born and decided to turn the song into a conflicting duet with one of the band's two teenage female vocalists. Susan Ann Sulley was then asked to take on the role. Until then, she and the other female vocalist, Joanne Catherall, had only been assigned backing vocals; Sulley says she was chosen only through "luck of the draw".[10]
Musicians Jo Callis and Philip Adrian Wright created a synthesizer score to accompany the lyrics that was much harsher than the version that was actually released. Initial versions of the song were recorded but Virgin Records-appointed producer Martin Rushent was unhappy with them. He and Callis remixed the track, giving it a softer, and in Oakey's opinion, "poppy" sound. Oakey hated the new version and thought it would be the weakest track on Dare, resulting in one of his infamous rows with Rushent.[11] Oakey disliked it so much that it was relegated to the last track on side two of the album.
Before the release of Dare, three of its tracks—"The Sound of the Crowd", "Love Action (I Believe in Love)", and "Open Your Heart"—had already been released as successful singles. With a hit album and three hit singles in a row, Virgin's chief executive Simon Draper decided to release one more single from the album before the end of 1981. His choice, "Don't You Want Me", instantly caused a row with Oakey, who did not want another single to be released because he was convinced that "the public were now sick of hearing" the band and the choice of the "poor quality filler track" would almost certainly be a disaster, wrecking the group's new-found popularity. The band felt the track was "our sort of Des O'Connor song".[12] Virgin were adamant that a fourth single would be released and Oakey finally agreed on the condition that a large colour poster accompany the 7" single, because he felt fans would "feel ripped off" by the "substandard" single alone.[13]
The Human League often added cryptic references to their productions and the record sleeve of "Don't You Want Me" featured the suffix of "100". This was a reference to The 100 Club, a restaurant/bar in Sheffield.[14]
Reception
editIn a contemporary review, Record World praised its "throbbing synthesized beat and sharp hook."[15]
Today, the song is widely considered a classic of its era. In a retrospective review, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, senior editor for AllMusic, described the song as "a devastating chronicle of a frayed romance wrapped in the greatest pop hooks and production of its year."[16] Fellow new wave musician Graham Parker praised the song, saying, "I just love that catchy chorus."[17] Oakey still describes it as overrated, but acknowledges his initial dismissal was misguided and claims pride in the track.[citation needed] Oakey has also pointed out another misconception: that it is not a love song, but "a nasty song about sexual power politics."[18][better source needed]
Chart performance and sales
edit"Don't You Want Me" was released in the UK on 27 November 1981. The B-side was "Seconds", another track lifted straight from the Dare album. As with previous singles, a 12" version was also issued featuring the original version of "Don't You Want Me" and "Seconds" on the A-side and an "extended dance mix" lasting seven and a half minutes on the B-side. This mix is also featured on the Love and Dancing album that was released under the name of the League Unlimited Orchestra in 1982.
To the amazement of the band (and especially Oakey),[19] the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number nine and rose to number one the following week, remaining there over the Christmas period for five weeks. It ultimately became the biggest-selling single to be released in 1981, and the fifth biggest-selling single of the entire decade. Its success was repeated six months later in the US, with "Don't You Want Me" peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. Billboard magazine ranked it as the sixth-biggest hit of 1982. The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) the same year for sales of a million copies. "Don't You Want Me" is notable as the first song featuring the revolutionary Linn LM-1 drum machine to hit number one on the UK chart and was also the first LM-1 track to top the Billboard Hot 100.[citation needed]
After the band scored a number of hits for Warner's eastwest label, the song was remixed and issued by Virgin as a CD,[20] cassette[21] and 12-inch single on 16 October 1995.[22] This version featured new remixes by Hooj Choons' Red Jerry and German Eurodance duo Snap!, and would peak at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.[23] The release coincided with the issue of the group's second Greatest Hits compilation album shortly afterwards (which featured the Snap 7 inch remix).
As of November 2012, "Don't You Want Me" was the 23rd best-selling single in the UK, with 1.55 million copies sold.[6] On 23 March 2014, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 19 and debuted at number one on the Scottish Singles Chart thanks to a social media campaign by fans of Aberdeen Football Club.[24] In 2017 it was reported to be the 43rd most successful single in UK chart history with sales and streams combined.[25]
In 2021, Viacom International Studios put into production a music chart programme called The 80s Greatest Hits 1980-1989 for Channel 5[26] and asked the Official Charts Company (OCC) to provide the countdowns for the series, based on the best-selling singles for each year. When the 1981 episode was broadcast (now under the title of Britain's Favourite 80's Songs)[27] "Don't You Want Me" was placed at number one,[5] with the OCC now confirming it was the official best-selling song of 1981 with an estimated 1.15 million sales (previously the title had gone to "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell, which now has been put in second place with 1.05 million sales).
Music video
editIn 1981, record company Virgin were becoming aware that the music video was evolving into an important marketing tool, with MTV being launched that year. Virgin commissioned a promotional video for "Don't You Want Me".
The video for the song was filmed near Slough, Berkshire, during November 1981. The video's theme is the filming and editing of a murder-mystery film, featuring the band members as characters and production staff. Because it is a "making-of" video, both crew and camera apparatus appear throughout. The video was conceived and directed by the Irish filmmaker Steve Barron, and has at its core the interaction between a successful actress (also an assistant editor) played by Susan Ann Sulley walking out on "film director" Philip Oakey on a film set.
In a 1995 interview, Catherall mentioned that the car Callis was driving had to be pushed into shot as he could not drive at the time, to which Sulley added "he still can't!"[28]
The video was released in December 1981.
Track listing
edit1981 release
edit- 7-inch vinyl (Virgin VS466)
- "Don't You Want Me" – 3:57
- "Seconds" – 4:59
- 12-inch vinyl (Virgin VS466-12)
- "Don't You Want Me" – 3:57
- "Seconds" – 4:59
- "Don't You Want Me (dance mix)" – 7:30
1995 release
edit- CD (Virgin VSCDT1557)
- "Don't You Want Me (Red Jerry 7" Remix)" - 3:43
- "Don't You Want Me (Snap 7" Remix)" - 3:58
- "Don't You Want Me (Red Jerry 12" Remix)" - 6:11
- "Don't You Want Me (Snap 12" Extended Remix)" - 6:14
- "Don't You Want Me (Red Jerry Dub Mix)" - 7:01
- "Don't You Want Me (Original Version)" - 3:57
- 12-inch vinyl (Virgin VST1557)
- "Don't You Want Me (Snap 12" Extended Remix)" - 6:12
- "Don't You Want Me (Red Jerry 12" Remix)" - 6:09
- Cassette (Virgin VSC 1557)
- "Don't You Want Me (Red Jerry 7" Remix)" - 3:43
- "Don't You Want Me (Snap 7" Remix)" - 3:58
- "Don't You Want Me (Red Jerry 12" Remix)" - 6:11
- "Don't You Want Me (Original Version)" - 3:57
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
1995 remixes
2014 re-entry
|
Year-end chartsedit
All-time chartsedit
|
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[59] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[60] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[61] since 2009 sales |
Gold | 50,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[62] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[63] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[64] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Mandy Smith version
edit"Don't You Want Me Baby" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Mandy Smith | ||||
from the album Mandy | ||||
B-side | "If It Makes You Feel Good" | |||
Released | May 1989 | |||
Recorded | 1989 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 3:44 | |||
Label | PWL | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Pete Hammond | |||
Mandy Smith singles chronology | ||||
|
In 1989, English pop singer Mandy covered this song under the title of "Don't You Want Me Baby". Released as a stand-alone single from her only album, Mandy (1988), it was also Smith's final single and became her only single to hit the UK top 75, peaking at No. 59.
Track listings
edit- CD single
- "Don't You Want Me Baby"
- "If It Makes You Feel Good"
- "Don't You Want Me Baby" (Cocktail Mix)
- "If It Makes You Feel Good" (Extended Version)
- 7-inch single
- "Don't You Want Me Baby"
- "If It Makes You Feel Good"
- 12-inch single
- "Don't You Want Me Baby" (Cocktail Mix)
- "If It Makes You Feel Good" (Extended Version)
Charts
editChart (1989) | Peak Position |
---|---|
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[65] | 10 |
Ireland (IRMA)[66] | 30 |
Italy (Musica e dischi)[67] | 11 |
UK Singles (OCC)[68] | 59 |
The Farm version
edit"Don't You Want Me" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by the Farm | ||||
from the album Love See No Colour | ||||
B-side | "Obviously" | |||
Released | 5 October 1992[69] | |||
Genre | Dance-rock[70] | |||
Length | 4:12 | |||
Label | End Product | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Mark Saunders | |||
The Farm singles chronology | ||||
|
British band the Farm released a cover of "Don't You Want Me" in October 1992 that reached number 18 on the UK Singles Charts making it their third-highest chart single after 1990's "All Together Now" and "Groovy Train". It was originally recorded for the NME charity album Ruby Trax.
An uncredited female singer sings lead vocal on the second verse, as sung by Susanne Sulley in the original version. The accompanying music video features former Manchester United footballer George Best mouthing along to the chorus.[71]
Track listings
edit- CD single
- "Don't You Want Me"
- "Don't You Want Me" (Premier mix)
- "Obviously"
- "Groovy Train" (alternative mix)
- 7-inch single
- "Don't You Want Me"
- "Obviously"
- 12-inch single
- "Don't You Want Me" (Premier mix)
- "Don't You Want Me" (20K mix)
- "Don't You Want Me" (Pickles Keef mix)
- "Groovy Train" (alternative mix)
Alcazar version
edit"Don't You Want Me" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Alcazar | ||||
from the album Casino | ||||
Released | May 2002 | |||
Recorded | 2001 | |||
Genre | Eurodance | |||
Length | 3:27 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Alcazar singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Don't You Want Me" on YouTube |
"Don't You Want Me" was recorded as a Eurodance song by Swedish band Alcazar, released internationally in 2002. The song was included in the European version of their debut album, Casino (2000) together with a few others. It was recorded in Stockholm at first, but when the band wanted it for a new pan-European single, a new version was made.
The single was released in Australia as a follow-up to the successful single "Crying at the Discoteque". The white 12-inch was released in Europe and distributed to DJs to get maximum airplay at the disco arenas.
"Don't You Want Me" is Alcazar's biggest hit in the United States with 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, peaking at #30.
Music video
editThe accompanying music video for "Don't You Want Me" was filmed at Filmhuset in Stockholm, and was directed by Jesper Ganslandt. The video takes place in "Circus Alcazar" and is filled with horses, ducks, an evil parrot, acrobats, the Alcazar ballet (including a dog in a pink ballerina dress) and Annikafiore's boyfriend juggling with fire in the background. The video shoot took almost 23 hours.
Track listing
edit- CD single
- "Almighty Radio Edit" – 3:27
- "Almighty Club Mix" – 7:25
- "Project Eden Remix" – 7:34
- "Earth Club Anthem" – 10:24
- "Wild Cowboys Radio Mix" – 3:38
Charts
editChart (2002) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[72] | 37 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[73] | 21 |
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[74] | 18 |
Hungary (Single Top 40)[75] | 13 |
Italy (Musica e dischi)[76] | 34 |
Japan (Japanese Singles Chart)[citation needed] | 3 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[77] | 83 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[78] | 30 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[79] | 76 |
US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard)[80] | 30 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 1981". Spin. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ Borthwick, Stuart; Moy, Ron (2004). "Synthpop: into the digital age". Popular Music Genres: An Introduction. Routledge. p. 130. ISBN 9780415973694.
- ^ Harvel, Jess. "Now That's What I Call New Pop!". Pitchfork Media. 12 September 2005.
- ^ "New Wave Music Songs". AllMusic.
- ^ a b "The Official Top 50 best-selling songs of 1981". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ a b Lane, Daniel (27 June 2013). "Daft Punk's Get Lucky becomes one of the UK's biggest selling singles of all-time!". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
- ^ "Anglomania: The Second British Invasion". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- ^ Westbrook, Caroline (25 July 2015). "The Nation's Favourite 80s Number One: 12 more classic 80s chart-toppers which didn't make the cut". Metro. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ Dolan, Jon; Lopez, Julyssa; Matos, Michaelangelo; Shaffer, Claire (22 July 2022). "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ Interview – Smash Hits Magazine – December 1981
- ^ Martin Rushent speaking on UK Channel 4 Documentary "Top 10 Electro Pioneers" BBC – 27 November 2001
- ^ TOP OF THE POPS ( THE STORY OF 1981 ), archived from the original on 12 December 2021, retrieved 24 December 2019
- ^ "Human League Biography". League-online.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2007. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- ^ Smash Hits Magazine December 1981
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 20 February 1982. p. 1. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Dare! – The Human League | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ Himes, Geoffrey. ""GP: Rock's Last Angry Man Reflects on Life after the Rumour," by Geoffrey Himes". homepages.uni-regensburg.de. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ Human League Interview – Eamon Holmes GMTV 2001
- ^ "Rolling Stone 1983". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
- ^ Virgin Records 1995 cat: VSCDT 1557/724389318524
- ^ Virgin Records 1995 cat: VSC 1557
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 14 October 1995. p. 27.
- ^ British Hit Singles and Albums (Guinness 19th Edition) Guinness World Records Limited; 20Rev Ed edition ISBN 978-1904994107 (2 June 2007)
- ^ a b "The Human League's Don't You Want Me tops Official Scottish Singles Ch". Officialcharts.com. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ The UK's Official Chart 'millionaires' revealed Official Charts 19 September 2017
- ^ "Viacom International Studios UK". viacomstudiosuk.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ "Britain's Favourite 80's Songs". Channel 5. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ The Beatbox, RTE Television, February 1995 (promotion for "Tell Me When")
- ^ a b "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ "The Human League – Don't You Want Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ "Results – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ^ "InfoDisc : Tout les Titres par Artiste" (in French). Infodisc.fr. 23 June 2012. Archived from the original on 20 September 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. 2008. To use, type "Don't You Want Me" in the "Search by Song Title" search bar and click search. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
- ^ "Israel Singles Charts 1987-1995".
- ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 4 June 2022. Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Human League" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – The Human League" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ "The Human League – Don't You Want Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ "The Human League – Don't You Want Me". VG-lista. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ Brian Currin. "South African Rock Lists Website – SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (H)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ^ "The Human League – Don't You Want Me" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ "The Human League – Don't You Want Me". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ "The Human League – Don't You Want Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ "The Human League – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ a b The Human League. "The Human League – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Human League – Don't You Want Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 48. 2 December 1995. p. 13. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ "Official Charts > Human League". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ "Official Charts > Official Singles Chart Top 100: 23 March 2014 – 29 March 2014". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ "The Official Top 50 best-selling songs of 1981". Official Charts.
- ^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1982". Kent Music Report. 3 January 1983. Retrieved 22 January 2023 – via Imgur.
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1982". Top40.nl.
- ^ "Top Selling Singles of 1982 - The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ "Top Selling Singles of 1982 - The Springbok Music Chart". SA Rock Charts. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1982/Top 100 Songs of 1982". www.musicoutfitters.com.
- ^ "The UK's biggest selling singles of all time". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Human League – Don't You Want Me". Music Canada. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Human League – Don't You Want Me". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 13 August 2024. Scroll through the page-list below until year 2024 to obtain certification.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Human League – Don't You Want Me" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "Spanish single certifications – Human League – Don't You Want Me". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Human League – Don't You Want Me". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – Human League – Don't You Want Me". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Mandy Smith". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 237. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – All there is to know > Search results for 'Mandy' (from irishcharts.ie)". Imgur.com (original source published by Fireball Media). Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 7 June 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Mandy Smith".
- ^ "Official Charts > Mandy Smith". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 3 October 1992. p. 19.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (5 June 2020). "The Number Ones: The Human League's "Don't You Want Me". Stereogum. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
Here's the Farm's video for their dance-rock cover of "Don't You Want Me," a top-20 UK hit in 1992...
- ^ "The Farm are all together now but for how long?". Metro. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Alcazar – Don't You Want Me". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- ^ "Alcazar – Don't You Want Me". ultratop.be. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Alcazar – Don't You Want Me". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 5 June 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Alcazar".
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Alcazar – Don't You Want Me". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Alcazar – Don't You Want Me". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Alcazar – Don't You Want Me". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- ^ "Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 1 April 2013.[dead link]
External links
edit- "Don't You Want Me" at Discogs (list of releases)
- "Don't You Want Me" at The Black Hit of Space.dk
- The Human League - Don't You Want Me on YouTube