What I Want (Dead or Alive song)

"What I Want" is a song written and recorded by English band Dead or Alive. It was co-produced by the band and Zeus B. Held and released in August 1983 as the second single from Dead or Alive's debut album Sophisticated Boom Boom.

"What I Want"
Single by Dead or Alive
from the album Sophisticated Boom Boom
Released	August 1983
Recorded	1983
Genre	Hi-NRG dark wave synth-pop
Label	Epic
Songwriter(s)	Pete Burns Wayne Hussey Mike Percy Steve Coy J. Levin
Producer(s)	Zeus B. Held Dead or Alive
Dead or Alive singles chronology
"Misty Circles" (1983) "What I Want" (1983) "I'd Do Anything" (1984)
"That's the Way (I Like It)" (1984) ""What I Want" (re-issue)" (1984) "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" (1984)

Background

The song was not a success when released, peaking at number eighty-eight in the UK Singles Chart. After Dead or Alive's UK top-forty success of "That's the Way (I Like It)", "What I Want" was re-issued in June 1984. It did not fare much better during its second chart run, placing only one position higher, at number eighty-seven.

Track listing

UK 7"

No.	Title	Length
1.	"What I Want"	3:42
2.	"The Stranger" (re-recorded version)	4:52

UK 12"

No.	Title	Length
1.	"What I Want (Dance Mix)"	6:12
2.	"The Stranger" (re-recorded version)	4:52

Chart performance

The single was re-released in June 1984, however, it proved to be a slight, but bigger hit than the original. Both versions charted in the UK, separated by only one position between the two.

Chart (1983)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	88
Chart (1984)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	87