[9] The lyrics were inspired after the Human League lead singer Philip Oakey read a photo-story in a teen-girl's magazine.

Until then, she and the other female vocalist, Joanne Catherall, had only been assigned backing vocals; Sulley says she was chosen only through "luck of the draw".

[10] Musicians Jo Callis and Philip Adrian Wright created a synthesizer score to accompany the lyrics that was much harsher than the version that was actually released.

[13] The Human League often added cryptic references to their productions and the record sleeve of "Don't You Want Me" featured the suffix of "100".

In a retrospective review, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, senior editor for AllMusic, described the song as "a devastating chronicle of a frayed romance wrapped in the greatest pop hooks and production of its year.

The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) the same year for sales of a million copies.

[citation needed] After the band scored a number of hits for Warner's East West label, the song was remixed and issued by Virgin as a CD,[20] cassette[21] and 12-inch single on 16 October 1995.

[22] This version featured new remixes by Hooj Choons' Red Jerry and German Eurodance duo Snap!, and would peak at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.

[23] The release coincided with the issue of the group's second Greatest Hits compilation album shortly afterwards (which featured the Snap!

[6] On 23 March 2014, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 19 thanks to a social media campaign by fans of Aberdeen Football Club.

When the 1981 episode was broadcast (now under the title of Britain's Favourite 80's Songs)[26] "Don't You Want Me" was placed at number one,[5] with the OCC now confirming it was the official best-selling song of 1981 with an estimated 1.15 million sales (previously the title had gone to "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell, which now has been put in second place with 1.05 million sales).

In 1981, record company Virgin were becoming aware that the music video was evolving into an important marketing tool, with MTV being launched that year.

An uncredited female singer sings lead vocal on the second verse, as sung by Susan Ann Sulley in the original version.

"Don't You Want Me" is Alcazar's biggest hit in the United States with 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, peaking at #30.

The accompanying music video for "Don't You Want Me" was filmed at Filmhuset in Stockholm, and was directed by Jesper Ganslandt.