If You Don't Want My Love
Richard Marx · Repeat Offender
And youÂ’re just along for the ride
But I see a slight hesitation
What are you trying to hide
DonÂ’t be afraid to bare your soul
Nothing you say could be too bold
IÂ’m growing old
If you donÂ’t want my love
Tell me now cause iÂ’ll survive
If you donÂ’t want my love
IÂ’m sure that somebody does tonight
You make a grown man quiver
It might be hard to believe
But itÂ’s time to stand and deliver
YouÂ’ve just been playing with me
I donÂ’t want to blow my only chance
But youÂ’ve got to show me where you stand
Or drop my hand
If you donÂ’t want my love
Tell me know cause IÂ’ll survive
If you donÂ’t want my love
It wonÂ’t be the end of my life
If you donÂ’t want my love
Night will fall and the sun will rise
If you donÂ’t want my love
IÂ’m sure that somebody does tonight
I donÂ’t want to blow my only chance
But youÂ’ve got to show me where you stand
Or drop my hand
If you donÂ’t want my love
Tell me now cause IÂ’ll survive
If you donÂ’t want my love
It wonÂ’t be the end of my life
If you donÂ’t want my love
Night will fall and sun will rise
If you dontÂ’ want my love
IÂ’m sure that somebody does tonight
If you donÂ’t want my love
AinÂ’t gonna worry tonight
If you donÂ’t want my love
Well somebody does tonight
If You Don't Want My Love
Released on the 1986 album Repeat Offender, "If You Don't Want My Love" stands as a defining track in Richard Marx's early career. The song exemplifies the polished pop-rock sound that characterized his debut era, blending smooth vocal delivery with a driving rhythm section. It serves as a quintessential example of the heartbreak ballad genre popular in mid-80s American pop music, where emotional vulnerability met radio-friendly production. The recording helped establish Marx's reputation as a songwriter and performer capable of crafting anthems about lost relationships. Its enduring appeal lies in its melodic structure and the way it captures the specific melancholic tone of its time, cementing its place within his discography alongside other signature hits from the same period.