Why Can't I Wake Up With You

Album: Everything Changes (1993)
Charted: 2
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This longing love song was written by Gary Barlow when he was 15 years old. Barlow also wrote "A Million Love Songs" and "Babe" at the same age in his childhood bedroom in the market town of Frodsham, England.
  • There are two versions of "Why Can't I Wake Up With You." The first features on Take That's debut album, Take That & Party, in the form of a mushy, saxophone-swept piano ballad. The second, more well-known version appears on Take That's sophomore album, Everything Changes. For this version, Barlow decided to up the song's tempo, transforming it into a smooth, R&B-driven number that felt more in line with Take That's mature sexual image at the time.
  • Both versions of "Why Can't I Wake Up With You" have music videos. The Take That & Party version is made up of backstage footage of the band on tour and in the recording studio. The Everything Changes version was directed by Liam Kan and Grant Hodgson and debuted a more erotic side to Take That. Shot in a château in Paris, it depicts the band performing the song in separate rooms. Howard Donald is seen taking a shower at one point. Meanwhile, Jason Orange reclines on a bed in nothing but an open shirt and a pair of white briefs.
  • "Why Can't I Wake Up With You" was the lead single from Everything Changes. The song became Take That's highest-charting single at the time, peaking at #2 after being kept off the top spot by 2 Unlimited's techno-dance sensation "No Limit."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.