ROCK MOMENT – Eddie Money ‘I Wanna Go Back’
‘I Wanna Go Back’ is one of Eddie Money’s most beloved songs, capturing a powerful sense of nostalgia that resonated deeply with listeners in the mid-1980s. Released in 1986, the song appeared on Money’s fourth studio album, Can’t Hold Back, a record that marked a major comeback for the singer after a difficult period in his career.
By the early 1980s, Eddie Money had struggled with substance abuse and inconsistent album success. Although he had scored big hits in the late 1970s with songs like ‘Two Tickets to Paradise’ and “Baby Hold On,” his momentum had slowed. Determined to regain his footing, Money teamed up with producer Richie Zito, who helped modernize his sound while preserving the blue-collar rock sensibility that fans loved. The result was Can’t Hold Back, an album that successfully blended classic rock storytelling with the slicker production of the MTV era.
‘I Wanna Go Back’ was written by Eddie Money alongside songwriter Frankie Sullivan of Survivor. The song’s lyrics revolve around the universal desire to return to a simpler time—before adult responsibilities, regrets, and missed opportunities take hold. Rather than romanticizing fame or success, the song looks backward with humility, focusing on youth, innocence, and the emotional weight of growing older. Lines about wishing to redo choices and relive moments capture a sentiment that transcended age and background.
Musically, the song balances melancholy and hope. Its mid-tempo groove, layered keyboards, and soaring chorus gave it strong radio appeal, while Money’s gritty, heartfelt vocal performance grounded the song in sincerity. His delivery made the longing feel personal, as if he were reflecting on his own life as much as the listener’s.
‘I Wanna Go Back’ became one of Eddie Money’s biggest hits, reaching No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. Along with ‘Take Me Home Tonight,’ it helped Can’t Hold Back go platinum and reestablished Money as a major force in 1980s rock. Decades later, the song remains a staple of classic rock radio, remembered as a timeless reflection on nostalgia, regret, and the enduring wish to reclaim moments lost to time.
