I Want You Back (Hoodoo Gurus song)
Encyclopedia
"I Want You Back" was the fourth single released by iconic Australia
n rock
group Hoodoo Gurus
from their debut album Stoneage Romeos
. It was released on Big Time
Records (distributed by EMI
) in March, 1984 (at same time as the album). "I Want You Back" was written by Dave Faulkner
. The B-Side "Who Do You Love?" (aka "Hoodoo You Love?") was recorded live by 2JJJ
.
The single was released in the United Kingdom in 1984 by Demon Records, but with an alternative B-Side, "Be My Guru".
"I Want You Back" was Hoodoo Gurus first hit in America, reaching number three on the college radio charts.
In 1985 Simon F. (aka Simon Fellowes (UK Band Intaferon)) released a version of the song. "I Want You Back" was also performed by The Spazzys on the 2005 tribute album Stoneage Cameos (see Stoneage Romeos
), with "Hoodoo You Love?" performed by The Drones
.
In an interview with Harp Magazine in 2007, Faulkner revealed that the song was written not about a former lover but actually about former co-founder of the Hoodoo Gurus, Roddy Radalj
.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
group Hoodoo Gurus
Hoodoo Gurus
Hoodoo Gurus are an Australian rock band, formed in Sydney in 1981, by the mainstay Dave Faulkner and later joined by Richard Grossman , Mark Kingsmill , and Brad Shepherd...
from their debut album Stoneage Romeos
Stoneage Romeos
Stoneage Romeos was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' first album and saw them receive record sales to complement their already strong reputation for live performances. The album name is from a Three Stooges short film...
. It was released on Big Time
Big Time Records (label)
Big Time Records was an independent record label based in Sydney, Australia. The label was owned by Lance Reynolds and Fred Bestall, who managed Air Supply in their early days among others. From 1979 up until 1981 Big Time was distributed by Wizard Records, who were purchased by EMI Ltd...
Records (distributed by EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
) in March, 1984 (at same time as the album). "I Want You Back" was written by Dave Faulkner
Dave Faulkner (musician)
Dave Faulkner is an Australian rock musician who also performed as Dave Flick. Faulkner is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist; he has performed with several bands, but is best known as a member of Hoodoo Gurus...
. The B-Side "Who Do You Love?" (aka "Hoodoo You Love?") was recorded live by 2JJJ
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
.
The single was released in the United Kingdom in 1984 by Demon Records, but with an alternative B-Side, "Be My Guru".
" "I Want You Back" was one of the few songs of mine to ever be covered by another artist, a fellow mysteriously named Simon F, produced by Billy IdolBilly IdolWilliam Michael Albert Broad , better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an English rock musician. A member of the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X...
's then-guitarist Steve StevensSteve StevensSteve Stevens is an American guitarist and songwriter.He is best known for playing for other artists and less known for his critically acclaimed solo efforts , collaborations Steve Stevens (born as Steven Schneider on May 5, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American guitarist and songwriter.He...
(do you miss the 80's?). Some writers refer to their creations as their 'children', well this felt more akin to having your child grow up to be a serial killer. Their (per)version was not a hit, but then neither was ours." Dave Faulkner.
"I Want You Back" was Hoodoo Gurus first hit in America, reaching number three on the college radio charts.
In 1985 Simon F. (aka Simon Fellowes (UK Band Intaferon)) released a version of the song. "I Want You Back" was also performed by The Spazzys on the 2005 tribute album Stoneage Cameos (see Stoneage Romeos
Stoneage Romeos
Stoneage Romeos was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' first album and saw them receive record sales to complement their already strong reputation for live performances. The album name is from a Three Stooges short film...
), with "Hoodoo You Love?" performed by The Drones
The Drones
The Drones are an Australian rock group who rose to prominence during the early 2000s. They are influenced by a variety of bands and soloists including Neil Young, The Velvet Underground, Bad Brains, Suicide, Green on Red, The Birthday Party, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Nina Simone.- The Sound...
.
In an interview with Harp Magazine in 2007, Faulkner revealed that the song was written not about a former lover but actually about former co-founder of the Hoodoo Gurus, Roddy Radalj
Roddy Radalj
Roddy Radalj is a rock musician and singer-songwriter who grew up in Perth, Western Australia...
.
Track listing
- "I Want You Back" (Dave Faulkner) — 2:45
- "Who Do You Love?" (Ellas McDaniel aka Bo DiddleyBo DiddleyEllas Otha Bates , known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter , and inventor...
) — 2:05
Personnel
Credited to:- James BakerJames Baker (musician)James Baker is a rock musician from Perth, Western Australia. He has drummed with, and was instrumental in the founding of several influential Australian bands including The Scientists, Le Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon, and The Dubrovniks.-Early days:Baker has named Ronnie Bond of The Troggs as...
— drums - Clyde Bramley — bass, vocals
- Dave FaulknerDave Faulkner (musician)Dave Faulkner is an Australian rock musician who also performed as Dave Flick. Faulkner is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist; he has performed with several bands, but is best known as a member of Hoodoo Gurus...
— vocals, guitar - Brad ShepherdBrad ShepherdBrad Shepherd is an Australian rock musician. Shepherd is a guitarist, singer-songwriter and harmonica player; he has performed with several bands, especially the Hoodoo Gurus...
— guitar, vocals
- Producer, Engineer — Alan Thorne
- Mixed — Alan Thorne (track 2)
- Recorded — Peter Watts (track 2)