10 Compelling Rock Songs About Wanting To Be With Someone

Photo of Sting singing with his eyes closed for the article 10 Best Rock Songs About Wanting To Be With Someone

Feature Photo: D-VISIONS / Shutterstock.com

Our “10 Compelling Rock Songs About Wanting To Be With Someone,” showcases a collection of tracks that not only highlight the diverse ways artists interpret the theme of longing but also how they translate these feelings into music that moves the soul and stirs the heart.

From the haunting lyrics of David Bowie’s “Wild Is the Wind” to the driving force of Bruce Springsteen’s “Drive All Night,” each song on this list offers a unique perspective on what it means to yearn for another. Bowie’s rendition of a classic tune adds layers of emotional depth and sophistication, reflecting the longing for a romantic connection that transcends the ordinary, while Springsteen’s gravelly tones and relentless rhythms speak to a raw, almost desperate need to maintain a physical and emotional closeness.

The Beatles’ “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” serves as the concluding track of this article, epitomizing the intensity and weight of desire through its heavy, prolonged instrumental segments and repetitive lyrics. It starkly contrasts with the tender vulnerability of “Wild Is the Wind,” yet it anchors the collection by reminding us of the sheer force of raw emotional expression in rock music. Meanwhile, songs like “Burnin’ for You” by Blue Öyster Cult introduce a more mystical and metaphorical approach to desire, infusing rock’s traditional sound with lyrics that invoke both the ethereal and the tangible aspects of longing.

This article not only explores the theme of desire as it appears in romantic contexts but also broadens the perspective to include other forms of love and longing. For instance, the familial and platonic affections explored in some tracks remind us that the yearning for connection is a universal human experience, transcending the boundaries of traditional love songs. Through this exploration, “10 Compelling Rock Songs About Wanting To Be With Someone” aims to illuminate the diverse and profound ways rock music addresses and amplifies the deepest human desires, creating a mosaic of melodies that resonate with anyone who has ever felt the pull of wanting to be with someone, in any capacity.

# 10 – Can’t Get Enough of Your Love – Bad Company

“Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” by Bad Company, released as the lead single from their debut album Bad Company in 1974, stands as a compelling rock track that taps into the universal yearning for unbridled affection. The song’s enduring appeal is rooted in its straightforward, compelling composition and lyrical sincerity, making it a fitting opener for any discussion on rock’s best love anthems. Commercially, the song was an immediate success, quickly rising to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and securing a spot at No. 15 in the UK Singles Chart.

# 9 – I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend – The Ramones

“I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” by The Ramones, from their seminal 1976 self-titled debut album, Ramones, is a straightforward, catchy expression of youthful longing and romantic aspiration. Contrasting sharply with the band’s more frenetic, punk-oriented tracks, this song reveals a softer, more melodic side to the group, encapsulating the sweet simplicity of early rock ‘n’ roll love songs within the framework of punk.

Recorded in February 1976 at Plaza Sound, Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the track was produced by Craig Leon. The simplicity of the arrangement and the directness of the lyrics, penned by drummer Tommy Ramone (credited as Tommy Erdelyi), are complemented by the song’s relatively slow tempo and dreamy ambiance, which marked a distinct departure from the aggressive tempos that defined most of the album. The band lineup for this track featured Joey Ramone on vocals, Johnny Ramone on guitar, Dee Dee Ramone on bass, and Tommy Ramone on drums.

Read More: 11 Essential Ramones Songs

# 8 – Everything I Own – Bread

“Everything I Own” by Bread, from their 1972 album Baby I’m-a Want You, is often interpreted as a love song, but its roots are deeply personal and poignant, reflecting the sentiments of loss and yearning. Written and sung by David Gates as a tribute to his late father, the song delicately conveys the deep emotional bonds and the impact of personal loss, making it a profound expression of grief wrapped in a soft rock melody. Upon its release, Everything I Own quickly climbed to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of Bread’s most successful singles.

More: The Top 10 Songs From The Group Bread

# 7 – Midnight Confessions – The Grass Roots

[LP Record] The Grass Roots - Their 16 Greatest Hits

“Midnight Confessions” by The Grass Roots is a quintessential example of 1960s rock music melding with the heartfelt urgency of unrequited love. Released in 1968, this track stands out for its lush instrumentation and poignant lyrics, which dive into the depths of secretive, yearning affection. It’s a song that not only charted well but also captured the emotional zeitgeist of its era. “Midnight Confessions” achieved significant commercial success, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of The Grass Roots’ most recognized songs.

Read More: 10 Essential Grass Roots Songs

# 6 – Until the Night – Billy Joel

“Until the Night” from Billy Joel’s 1978 album 52nd Street emerges not just as a song about yearning, but as a profound narrative on the complexities of love that is only realized in fleeting moments. This track is notable for its rich orchestration and deep emotional pull, elements that mark much of Joel’s work but shine particularly brightly here, reminiscent of the poignant yearning in “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” by The Ramones, albeit through a different musical lens.

# 5 – Drive All Night – Bruce Springsteen

The first time I heard this song, I said to myself that it was the coda from Backstreets that Springsteen had added to the live versions of the song he performed on the 1978 tours. It was one of the most powerful moments of those nightly shows. It was so powerful that Springsteen decided to turn it into its own song. A”Drive All Night” from Bruce Springsteen’s 1980 album The River stands as a powerful ballad of devotion and longing, encapsulating the visceral emotions tied to desperate love and the lengths one might go to preserve it. Unlike the more upbeat rockers for which Springsteen is renowned, this track delves deep into the soulful side of his artistry, showcasing his ability to craft a narrative that is both intimate and universal.

# 4 – I Burn For You – The Police

Message In A Box: The Complete Recordings [4 CD Box Set]

“I Burn for You” by The Police is a song steeped in the sentimentality and complexity that sometimes makes its way into rock music, capturing the intense, burning desire of love with a lyrical depth that sets it apart. Initially penned by Sting for his earlier band Last Exit and later revisited during The Police’s sessions for Zenyatta Mondatta in 1980, it was initially deemed too sentimental for the album’s direction. It was finally recorded for the soundtrack of the 1982 film Brimstone & Treacle, and also appeared in the band’s box set, Message in a Box.

# 3 – Burnin’ for You – Blue Öyster Cult

“Burnin’ for You” by Blue Öyster Cult, released in 1981 as a single from their album Fire of Unknown Origin, stands as one of the band’s most iconic tracks, merging rock’s edge with lyrical imagery that captures a profound yearning. The song was both a commercial success and a critical favorite, reflecting the band’s ability to blend mainstream appeal with deeper, more introspective themes. Commercially, the song was a significant success, reaching No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of the band’s few top 40 hits.

# 2 – Wild Is The Wind – David Bowie

David Bowie’s rendition of “Wild Is the Wind,” a song originally penned by Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington for the 1957 film of the same name, first appeared on his 1976 album Station to Station. This cover not only showcases Bowie’s ability to reinterpret complex material but also highlights his unique flair for infusing traditional pieces with a raw, emotional intensity. Recorded in 1975 at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, the track was produced by David Bowie and Harry Maslin. Bowie’s version of “Wild Is the Wind” stands out for its somber, evocative delivery, marked by his distinctive vocal stylings and the minimalist arrangement that allows his voice to dominate the soundscape. The personnel on this track included Bowie himself on vocals, Earl Slick on guitar, George Murray on bass, and Dennis Davis on drums, creating a sound that was both sparse and intensely intimate.

# 1 – I Want You (She’s So Heavy) -The Beatles

“I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” by The Beatles, from their iconic 1969 album Abbey Road, serves as a compelling exploration of obsessive love and sonic experimentation. As the closing track in this article on the most compelling rock songs about wanting to be with someone, it encapsulates the depth and intensity of desire, making it a powerful finale to our discussion. The track was meticulously crafted at London’s Abbey Road Studios between February and August 1969, with production led by the legendary George Martin. Featuring John Lennon on lead vocals and guitar, Paul McCartney on bass, George Harrison on guitar, and Ringo Starr on drums, the song is notable for its innovative use of the Moog synthesizer, played by Harrison, and its complex layering of sounds and rhythms.