Teenage James is so negative, you must be thinking by now.  Everything is “I didn’t want this and I didn’t want that. Did the kid ever talk about what he wanted?”
That’s a fair question, and the answer is mostly no. Teenage James really was a big ol’ negative pain in the ass.
Fortunately a whole bunch of musicians over the years have talked about what they want, so let’s take a break from the negative pity party and listen to some “I Want” songs:
“I Want the One I Can’t Have,” The Smiths. I’ll ease the transition from negative to positive with some mopey Smiths so that you don’t get the bends.
“I Want To Take You Higher,” Sly and the Family Stone. Super funky greatness from my desert island playlist.
“I Want To Go To The Beach,” Iggy Pop. I really enjoy Preliminaires, a highly recommended Iggy album.
“I Want To Be the Boy,” The White Stripes
“I Want To Hold Your Hand,” Al Green. Some Beatles tracks are sacred, never to be covered — “A Day In the Life,” for example. On the other hand, Al is a badass and he can do whatever he wants.
“I Want You (She’s So Heavy),” The Beatles. A palate cleanser for you Beatles purists.
“I Want You To Want Me,” Cheap Trick. Is Live At Budokan a great live album or the greatest live album? Discuss.
“I Want You Bad,” NRBQ. Always a marginal band on the brink of mainstream success, NRBQ ranks up there with Big Star on the Greatest Bands Who Never Took Over The World list.
BONUS TRACK: “I want, I want, I want.” What about what my guitar wants?
“My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama,” Frank Zappa
So what do you want? Candy? To rock? To break free? To be your lover? I’m listening.
Why It Matters 
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