In the pantheon of timeless rock anthems, few songs have managed to bridge the gap between raw garage rock spirit and radio-friendly pop charm as effortlessly as “What I Like About You” by The Romantics. Released in 1980, the track has become synonymous with house parties, sporting events, rom-com soundtracks, and retro radio shows. It embodies an era, captures a youthful exuberance, and continues to reverberate through generations despite its modest chart performance upon release. For a band that emerged from the vibrant Detroit music scene during a transitional period in rock music, “What I Like About You” not only carved their legacy in stone but became a pop culture institution.
The Romantics were formed in 1977, a time when punk had shaken up the rock landscape and new wave was just beginning to find its legs. Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, the band was initially inspired by the raw energy of the British Invasion and the lean, melodic stylings of bands like The Kinks, The Who, and The Rolling Stones. However, their timing couldn’t have been better: as disco fatigue set in and punk’s rebellion began to give way to a more accessible wave of power-pop and rock, The Romantics arrived with a tight, catchy, and youthful sound that was ready for mass appeal—even if it didn’t fully break through right away.
“What I Like About You” was featured on the band’s self-titled debut album, The Romantics, released in January 1980. The track was co-written by lead singer and rhythm guitarist Wally Palmar, drummer Jimmy Marinos (who also sings lead vocals on the track), and guitarist Mike Skill. Its immediacy was impossible to ignore—clocking in at just under three minutes, the song was a potent burst of adrenaline, joy, and teenage flirtation. With its rollicking rhythm, harmonica stabs, and chant-along chorus, it perfectly encapsulated the band’s ethos: fun, fast, and infectious.
From the very first beat, “What I Like About You” announces itself as a party starter. The drum pattern is straight out of the Chuck Berry and early Beatles playbook—energetic, driving, and danceable. But it’s the opening guitar riff, a punchy and instantly recognizable three-chord progression, that truly defines the track. It’s simple yet iconic, one of those riffs that feels like it’s always existed. As Marinos barrels in with his raspy, excited vocal—“Hey! Uh huh huh huh!”—listeners are immediately pulled into the song’s effervescent world of young love, rock ‘n’ roll, and no-strings-attached fun.
Lyrically, “What I Like About You” isn’t trying to be profound or poetic. It’s a celebration, plain and simple. The song’s verses describe all the small things the narrator loves about his partner—the way she talks, the way she makes him laugh, the way she whispers in his ear. It’s flirtatious, playful, and just a bit cheeky. And then comes the chorus, where the phrase “What I like about you” becomes a joyous mantra, bolstered by group vocals and punctuated by infectious “hey!” shouts. It’s the kind of chorus that begs for a fist pump, a singalong, and a dance floor.
Despite its now-legendary status, “What I Like About You” wasn’t a huge commercial hit at the time of its release. It peaked at just #49 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, it fared better in Australia, where it reached the Top 10. But like many power-pop songs of its era, its commercial impact would come not through immediate chart success but through its sheer staying power. Over the years, “What I Like About You” became a fixture of 1980s compilation albums, movie soundtracks, television commercials, and sporting events. It gained new life and new audiences with every reintroduction, solidifying its place as a perennial crowd-pleaser.
Much of the song’s staying power is due to its unique ability to feel both retro and timeless. There’s a throwback quality to the harmonica and raw production that nods to 1960s rock and roll, but there’s also an undeniably 1980s polish in its production and hooks. The balance between those elements makes it incredibly flexible—it works in a classic rock set, a new wave playlist, or even a modern indie rock DJ set. The song is an eternal bridge between eras.
Its resurgence in popularity also owes much to its relentless licensing. “What I Like About You” has been featured in numerous films and shows, including Freaky Friday, 13 Going on 30, and Fever Pitch, not to mention countless TV ads for brands like Budweiser, T.G.I. Friday’s, and Burger King. It was also used as the theme song for the WB sitcom What I Like About You, starring Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth, which aired from 2002 to 2006. These placements brought the track into the homes of younger generations, making it one of those rare songs that everyone seems to know—even if they don’t know who sings it.
Ironically, the licensing that helped solidify the song’s ubiquity also led to a famous lawsuit. In the mid-2000s, The Romantics filed a suit against Activision, the makers of the video game Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s, for using a soundalike version of “What I Like About You” that they claimed was “virtually indistinguishable” from the original recording. Though the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, it highlighted the song’s unmistakable identity—and how protective the band remained of their most cherished asset.
There’s something intrinsically joyful about “What I Like About You” that makes it immune to cynicism. It doesn’t try to be edgy or dark; it doesn’t pretend to have deeper meaning or complex subtext. It’s a celebration of attraction and enthusiasm, delivered with a wink and a smile. And that simplicity is part of its magic. In a world where pop music often overcomplicates itself with layers of irony or excessive polish, “What I Like About You” remains refreshing in its straightforward exuberance.
The performance is another crucial part of its enduring charm. Jimmy Marinos’s vocal delivery is gritty and full of personality, standing out from the slick, high-pitched crooning that dominated so much of early 1980s pop. There’s a hint of punk snarl in his voice, but it’s tempered by his clear delight in the material. His shout of “Hey!” at the beginning sets the tone: this is a party, not a sermon. And the rest of the band—Palmar, Skill, and bassist Rich Cole—play with tightness and urgency, creating a sound that is both spontaneous and impeccably rehearsed.
The band’s look also helped cement the song’s appeal. The Romantics famously dressed in matching red leather suits for promotional photos and television appearances—a nod to the flashy style of bands like The Beatles and The Dave Clark Five, but with a punk twist. They looked like a cartoon version of a rock band in the best possible way: bright, loud, and ready for action. This image translated well on MTV, which was just beginning to revolutionize music marketing at the time. Though they never achieved the megastar status of some of their peers, The Romantics had the image, the chops, and—thanks to this one song—a slice of immortality.
Interestingly, “What I Like About You” became both a blessing and a curse for the band. On one hand, it gave them a signature hit that would never disappear, ensuring that they would always be part of the rock and roll conversation. On the other, it overshadowed much of their other work, including later hits like “Talking in Your Sleep,” which actually charted higher in the U.S. (reaching #3 in 1983). But no other song in their catalog captured the spirit of The Romantics quite like “What I Like About You”—it was their manifesto, their lightning-in-a-bottle moment, and their eternal calling card.
Today, the song has transcended its origins to become part of the cultural lexicon. It’s played at weddings and bar mitzvahs, in college dorm rooms and dive bars. It’s covered by garage bands and karaoke enthusiasts. It’s the kind of song that makes people dance without thinking, sing without caring if they’re on key. And in that way, it perfectly fulfills the mission of rock and roll itself: to move, to inspire, and to bring joy.
“What I Like About You” may never have topped the charts, but its legacy is far more valuable than any gold record. It’s a track that represents fun, rebellion, and a timeless sense of youthful freedom. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to roll the windows down, crank the volume up, and shout along with your friends. And that, more than any accolade or statistic, is the true measure of its greatness.
For The Romantics, “What I Like About You” wasn’t just a hit—it was a moment. A spark. A musical smile that lit up a thousand parties and kept glowing for decades. It’s a reminder of simpler times, of electric nights, of the universal magic of a great rock and roll tune. And as long as there are dance floors, jukeboxes, and road trips, “What I Like About You” will never go out of style.
