"I Wanna Get Next to You" is a 1976 soul single written, composed and produced by American songwriter and producer Norman Whitfield, and most famously sung by American R&B band Rose Royce.

This theme is expressed clearly and concisely in the lyrics of the song's first verse:Sitting here in this chair, waiting on you / oh, baby to see things my way.

/ You won't even look my way, yeah Girl I'm spending my dimes, / wasting my time Talking 'til I'm black and blue.

[1]Unlike most Rose Royce songs, "I Wanna Get Next to You" does not feature typical lead vocalist Gwen Dickey; rather, it showcases male lead vocals from one of the band's trumpeters, Kenny Copeland.

[5] The song was also successful worldwide, becoming their second top 40 hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at #14 on the UK Singles Chart.