What Do You Want From Me?

Album: Progress (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Mark Owen appeared on the March 11, 2010 cover of The Sun in a story that salaciously detailed his infidelities. He was given 24 hours beforehand to warn his wife Emma that the story would be running. Owen explained to Q magazine why he included this self-penned song on the record: "Even now part of me is going, Maybe it doesn't have to be on there. It's a song that's always going to be related to a time in my life that was very difficult. But there's another part of me that goes, It's something that I can move on from after that track. I spoke to Emma about it."

    The Q interviewer asked how she reacted. Owen replied: "Different ways, really. The thing is, the song was written before… everything came about. It was written as an optimistic song and then when everything happened it took on a different connotation. I have to keep reminding myself that it was written looking ahead at a future together. There's mixed feelings in my stomach and stuff about it. Do I need to put myself through that? But then it's good to confront things and be open. My hope for me, and my relationship with Emma, is in that song. I do want us to grow old together. I do fancy her. Those feelings are there. But it's difficult because of what it brings up."

Comments: 1

  • Angie from R.i.I have listened to many artist sing "What do you want from me" i do not hear the slang of the words running together.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions Answered

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions AnsweredSong Writing

10 Questions for the author of Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."