As the song's production grew into a "large" arrangement with strings and lush backing vocals, Lobo decided the story needed to match that intensity. He shifted the focus to a "forbidden fruit" scenario: two people who deeply want each other but are kept apart by a prior "obligation" or "title"—possibly referring to a marriage or professional boundary. Lyrical Analysis
The lyrics capture the physical and emotional toll of hidden desire: Lobo - I'd love you to want me_ (Lyrics)
The Melodic Longing of Lobo: "I’d Love You to Want Me" Released in September 1972, remains the definitive anthem of soft rock romanticism. Written and performed by Lobo (born Roland Kent LaVoie), this track peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a massive international success, topping charts in Germany for an impressive 13 weeks. The Inspiration: Forbidden Fruit As the song's production grew into a "large"
While the song sounds like a simple unrequited love ballad, its origins are more complex. Lobo revealed that the lyrics were inspired by a high school crush he had on his when he was a senior. Written and performed by Lobo (born Roland Kent