Indiana Wants Me
R. Dean Taylor
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Indiana wants me, Lord, I can't go back there Indiana wants me, Lord, I can't go back there I wish I had you to talk to If a man ever needed dyin', he did No one had the right to say what he said about you And it's so cold and lonely here without you Out there the law's a comin' I'm gettin' so tired of runnin' Indiana wants me, Lord, I can't go back there Indiana wants me, Lord, I can't go back there I wish I had you to talk to It hurts to see the man that I've become And to know I'll never see the morning sunshine on the land I'll never see your smiling face or touch your hand If just once more I could see you, our home and our little baby Indiana wants me, Lord, I can't go back there Indiana wants me, Lord, I can't go back there I wish I had you to talk to I hope this letter finds its way to you Forgive me, love, for the shame I put you through and all the tears Hang on, love, to the memories of those happy years Red lights are flashin' around me Yeah, love it looks like they found me Indiana wants me, Lord, I can't go back there Indiana wants me, Lord, I can't go back there I wish I had you to talk to Indiana wants me, Lord, I can't go back there Indiana wants me, Lord, I can't go back there
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Written by: R. DEAN TAYLOR
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
33 facts about this song
Artist Background"Indiana Wants Me" was produced and performed by Canadian singer-songwriter R. Dean Taylor.
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Date of ReleaseThe song was first released in August 1970 as a single and then included on Taylor's "I Think, Therefore I Am" album in November the same year.
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Chart Performance"Indiana Wants Me" peaked at No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
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Unusual IntroductionThe song begins with a police siren, followed by Taylor saying, "Indiana wants me, Lord, I can't go back there."
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Song Inspiration"Indiana Wants Me" was inspired by a news story about a criminal on the run from the law, which Taylor happened to read.
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Chart Performance in UKThe song reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Taylor's most significant hit there.
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Gold StatusThe Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified "Indiana Wants Me" as a Gold record for selling over one million copies.
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Chart Success in CanadaIn Taylor's native Canada, the song reached No. 1 on the RPM Top Singles chart.
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Song's PlotThe song follows an outlaw's perspective, who is lamenting his anticipated capture in the state of Indiana.
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Cover Versions"Indiana Wants Me" has been covered by various artists, including Dean Martin and The Les Humphries Singers.
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Genre"Indiana Wants Me" falls under the genre of pop and rock.
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AcclaimDespite its commercial success, "Indiana Wants Me" didn't receive critical acclaim; it was described as "overproduced" and "melodramatic" by some reviewers.
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Songwriting"Indiana Wants Me" is notable for its lyrical storytelling, as Taylor discusses events leading to the protagonist becoming a fugitive.
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The Song's LengthThe runtime of "Indiana Wants Me" is approximately three minutes and fifteen seconds.
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Record LabelThe song was released under the Motown subsidiary label, Rare Earth Records.
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Album SuccessDespite the massive single's success, the album "I Think, Therefore I Am" did not fare as well commercially.
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Unusual ReleaseIn an unusual move for Motown, "Indiana Wants Me" was released before the album was finished.
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Use in MediaThe song was used in a few films and TV series, such as ‘Made in Heaven’, ‘Outside Providence’, and ‘The Simpsons’.
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Emotional ResonanceDespite its criminal subject matter, the song is actually quite emotional at points, depicting the fugitive's then-misadventure with heartfelt regret and longing.
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Lasting Impact"Indiana Wants Me" remains one of the most recognizable hits of the early 1970s and remains a staple on oldies radio stations.
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Song Title and Singer"Indiana Wants Me" is sung by Canadian singer-songwriter R. Dean Taylor.
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Release InformationThe song was released in 1970 as a single, followed by an album release the same year titled "I Think, Therefore I Am."
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Genre"Indiana Wants Me" fits into the genres of pop and rock, specifically categorized under pop-rock and soft rock.
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InspirationThe song was inspired by the 1967 American crime drama film "Bonnie and Clyde." Taylor initially intended to write it as a ballad for the film's protagonists, but his plans changed.
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ThemeThe storyline of "Indiana Wants Me" involves a man on the run from the law after killing someone in self-defense, reflecting its inspiration from "Bonnie and Clyde."
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Chart Performance"Indiana Wants Me" became R. Dean Taylor's biggest hit, reaching number one in his home country of Canada, number five on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and number two on the UK Singles Chart.
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Non-musical SoundsThe song features sounds apart from the music itself, such as police sirens and radio messages, enhancing the crime drama theme of the song.
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Cover VersionsSeveral artists have covered "Indiana Wants Me," including Arthur Alexander, Mark Lindsay, and Dean Martin.
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Movies and Television"Indiana Wants Me" has been featured in numerous films and television shows, like "The Simpsons," "Next," and "Reservoir Dogs," often used to underscore scenes involving crime or police action.
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Signature SongThough R. Dean Taylor had several songs on the charts throughout his career, "Indiana Wants Me" is often regarded as his signature song.
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CensorshipCertain radio stations in America initially refused to play the song due to its criminal content— including the sirens which, if heard over the radio, could cause motorists to pull over, thinking that the police were nearby.
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Later versionR. Dean Taylor re-recorded the song in 1976. This version, however, did not achieve the successes of the original track.
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Awards"Indiana Wants Me" was selected as a Silver Spotlight winner by Billboard magazine in its July 25, 1970 issue.
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Citation
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"Indiana Wants Me Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1786949/R.+Dean+Taylor/Indiana+Wants+Me>.
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