Once again my mental discography has been ignited by the hosts of Sound Advice, the popular music discussion show on National Public Radio. On a recent their topic was what they called I Want You Back songs, and each host presented his six favorites.
Among the half dozen of Jim DeRogatis was "If I Can't Have You" by Yvonne Elliman, her first single after a successful tenure as the backing vocalist for Eric Clapton. Its lyrics lay bare the pleading to get her old!over back, Boeing that no one else could ever replace him.
Co-just Greg Kot offered a different six pack, highlighted by "Working My Way Back To You" by the Spinners. The legendary pop group songs about a guy who has grown to regret his infidelity, now that the girl he had taken for granted has left him.
Here are ten other songs that could have been mentioned in a program centered on songs about someone wishing to get his former lover back.
Baby Come Back by Player
In the chorus he owns up to the fact that he was wrong and cannot live her, a confession that is gorgeously backed up by a beat that would make peers Hall and Oates proud.
I've Returned by Squeeze
After calling her friends a bunch of Muppets as well as insulting her sister, the apologetic male has come back intending to win her heart again.
Bad Boy by Ray Parker Jr.
As a sequel to a previous hit on which he confessed to having fallen for another woman, the Raydio front man is now expressing his desire to return to the one he jilted.
Come Back To Me by the Bongos
His girl left him in the old heartless way by leaving a Dear John letter, but nevertheless he is now begging her to return to his arms.
Can't You Hear Me Calling? by Bill Monroe
This timeless bluegrass classic centers on a man filled with regret after misusing his former woman, who he hopes will return to him.
Band of Gold by Freda Payne
In most cases the ring has to go back to the man, but on this Sixties smash hit the jilted girl would much prefer to have the liver than the piece of jewelry.
Boy With a Problem by Elvis Costello
Squeeze lyricist Chris Difford provided the words for this Imperial Bedroom track, which has Elvis willing to roll over and play dead now that he is in her doghouse.
Don't Pull Your Love by Hamilton, Joe Frank, and Reynolds
Because his former girl is leaving him, the guy swears that he will cry for a hundred years and drown in his tears.
Big Mouth Strikes Again by the Smiths
On this great side two opener from The Queen Is Dead, Morrissey bemoans the recent occasion on which he threatened his now ex by bludgeoning her in her bed and smashing every tooth in her head.