"I Want You Back" is the fourth single released by Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus from their debut albumStoneage Romeos. It was released on Big Time Records in March 1984. "I Want You Back" was written by Dave Faulkner. Its B-side, "Who Do You Love?" was recorded live at 2JJJ. The single was released in the United Kingdom in 1984 by Demon Records, but with an alternative B-side, "Be My Guru". The 7" single and video clip version of the song is an edit that removes the second half of the double verse usually heard before the first chorus. To date the regular album version has been used on all subsequent Hoodoo Gurus compilations.
Background
Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus released both the single, "I Want You Back", and its associated album, Stoneage Romeos, in March 1984. They appeared on Big Time Records and were distributed by EMI. The track was written by the group's lead singer and guitarist, Dave Faulkner. During 1982 Kimble Rendall, their founding guitarist, left and was followed out of the band by fellow founder, Roddy Radalj. Radalj publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with Rendall's leaving and Faulkner's greater influence on the group. "I Want You Back" was Hoodoo Gurus first hit in America, reaching number three on the college radio charts. In an interview with Fred Mills of Harp magazine in January 2007, Faulkner revealed that the song was written not about a former lover but about the split with Radalj: In 1985 Simon F. released a cover version of the song:
" "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 Idol's then-guitarist Steve Stevens. 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 version was not a hit, but then neither was ours." Dave Faulkner.
"I Want You Back" was also performed by The Spazzys on the 2005 tribute album, Stoneage Cameos, with "Hoodoo You Love?" performed by The Drones.
