Want U Back

Album: Sticks + Stones (2011)
Charted: 25 12
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This sassy piece of pop finds Cher Lloyd singing about her jealousy of her former lover and his new girlfriend. It was written for the English singer's debut album by Swedish songwriter Johan Shellback, who also helped Adam Levine pen "Moves Like Jagger" and Texan songsmith Savan Kotecha who helped create One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful" and JLS's "The Club is Alive."
  • Lloyd told Digital Spy that the song does not relate to anything that happened to her personally. Instead, she said, "it's basically a track from lots of different girls' stories out there. A lot of people are telling me they can relate to the track and they've been in that situation, but it's also got an element of fun in it."
  • The single version in some territories features guest vocals by X Factor USA contestant and American rapper Astro. Astro was mentored by L.A. Reid on the show and it was Reid who signed Lloyd to Epic Records in the United States.
  • The video was shot in Los Angeles, California and shows Lloyd's attempts to sabotage her former love's new relationship. It ends in a strange manner with Lloyd imitating the sounds of a helicopter. She explained to Digital Spy: "I was in the studio, and to get my mind off working all the time I'd talk to myself. I was being stupid! I was played the final edit and it was on there and I couldn't believe it. It's cool though - I'm glad they kept it in."

    Lloyd also recorded an alternate video for the US market, which sees the singer confronting her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend in an American diner.
  • The song starts off with an angry grunt that plays on loop. "I was in the studio, and for some reason, I couldn't hit a particular note," Lloyd explained to MTV News regarding the guttural noise. "I get really frustrated with myself when I can't do something, so I made the 'ugh' sound, and they kept it in."

Comments: 2

  • Tiffany from Sydney, AustraliaCool song
  • Chelsea from Phoenix , AzCher is just amazing!!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Concert Disasters

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.