I’ve always liked the Smithereens. They managed to breakthrough to the mainstream with this song and a few more.
Smithereens guitarist and singer Pat DiNizio wrote this as the theme song for the motion picture Say Anything, but DiNizio ultimately withheld the song from the project after he and the film’s producer disagreed on making certain changes to the song. The producer thought it gave away to much of the plot so DiNizio kept it for their next album.
Madonna was originally going to sing the harmony vocals, but failed to show up for the recording session. So the band got Maria Vidal to do the vocals.
This song peaked at #38 in the Billboard 100 and #62 in Canada. It also peaked at #2 in the Mainstream Rock Tracks in 1989. The song was on their third studio album named 11. The album peaked at #11 in the Billboard 100.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LwjD8z2mOg
A Girl Like You
I used to travel in the shadows
And I never found the nerve to try and walk up to you
But now I am a man and I know that there’s no time to waste
There’s too much to lose
Girl, you say anything at all, and you know that you can call
And I’ll be right there for you
First love, heartbreak, tough luck, big mistake
What else can you do
I’ll say anything you want to hear
I’ll see everything through
I’ll do anything I have to do
Just to win the love of a girl like you, a girl like you
People talk and people stare, tell them I don’t really care
This is the place I should be
And if they think it’s really strange for a girl like you
To be in love with someone like me
I want to tell them all to go to hell
That we’re doing very well without them you see
That’s just the way it is and they will see
I am yours and you are mine, the way it should be
I’ll say anything you want to hear
I’ll see everything through
I’ll do anything I have to do
Just to win the love of a girl like you, a girl like you
A girl like you, oh yeah
(Go!)
Now if I seem a little wild, there’s no holding back
I’m trying to get a message to you
I won’t take anything from anyone
I won’t walk and I won’t run, I believe in you
London, Washington, anywhere you are I’ll run
Together we’ll be
Inside, outside, got my pride
I won’t let ’em take you from me
I’ll say anything you want to hear
I’ll see everything through
I’ll do anything I have to do
Just to win the love of a girl like you, a girl like you
A girl like you, a girl like you
A girl like you, a girl like you, oh yeah
I’ll say anything (I’ll say anything)
I’ll take anything (I’ll take anything)
I’ll say anything, almost anything
Except goodbye
I’ll say anything (I’ll say anything)
I’ll take anything (I’ll take anything)
I’ll say anything, almost anything
Except goodbye
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Girl_Like_You_(The_Smithereens_song)
