The song marks the first time the band included three Harrison songs on a Beatles album, reflecting his growing stature as a songwriter.
Although a melodic pop song similar to the others on the album, the song hints at Indian influences, although less overtly so than "Love You To", another Harrison composition from the same album. It is largely built around a drone, rarely straying from its home key of A major, not even for the bridge. It features a flat Harrison vocal, supported heavily by Lennon and McCartney on backup vocals, in a fashion similar to Harrison's earlier "If I Needed Someone". It is largely driven by the bass and the persistent, almost hypnotic, piano pounding throughout the song. A distinctive guitar part opens and closes the song and recurs between verses, which lends the song some structure where it might otherwise sound formless (given the subtle variation).
Interestingly, it is one of the few Beatles songs to begin with a fade-in ("Eight Days a Week" being another notable example). The ending — where the group repeats the line "I've got time" over the opening guitar riff — makes notable use of melisma by McCartney (recalling, again, the song's understated Indian influences, as well as adding an increasing sense of disarray as the ensemble falls apart).
I Want to Tell You
Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My head is filled with things to say
When you're here
All those words they seem to slip away
When I get near you
The games begin to drag me down
It's all right
But if I seem to act unkind
It's only me, it's not my mind
That is confusing things
I want to tell you
I feel hung up and I don't know why
I don't mind
I could wait forever, I've got time
Sometimes I wish I knew you well
Then I could speak my mind and tell
Maybe you'd understand
I want to tell you
I feel hung up and I don't know why
I don't mind
I could wait forever, I've got time
I've got time
I've got time
The lyrics of I Want to Tell You by The Beatles express the confusion and mixed emotions that the singer feels when around someone they care deeply for. The song suggests that the singer has a lot to say to this person, but when they're in their presence, all the words seem to escape them. They feel hung up and don't know why, but despite everything, they're patient and willing to wait forever for the right moment to express their thoughts.
It's evident that this person's presence overwhelms the singer as they feel the "games begin to drag me down", a reference to how they can't seem to express themselves properly when they're around them. The singer seems to be struggling with their behavior towards this person as they assert that "if I seem to act unkind, it's only me, it's not my mind that is confusing things." This could be interpreted as a form of self-doubt or insecurity that stops them from expressing themselves properly.
Towards the end of the song, the singer expresses their wish to know this person better so that they could speak their mind and be better understood. Despite feeling hung up and uncertain, the singer remains resilient and patient, saying "I've got time, I've got time, I've got time," which is a message of hope that things would eventually become clearer.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to tell you
The singer has something they want to say.
My head is filled with things to say
The singer has a lot on their mind.
When you're here
The singer is referring to the presence of someone they care about.
All those words they seem to slip away
The artist can't seem to find the right words to express themselves when this person is around.
When I get near you
The artist is admitting their feelings for this person.
The games begin to drag me down
The singer is referring to the emotional weight they carry when they're around this person.
It's all right
The singer is reassuring themselves that things will be okay.
I'll make you maybe next time around
The artist hopes to have better luck communicating their feelings in the future.
But if I seem to act unkind
The artist recognizes that their behavior may come off as unfriendly.
It's only me, it's not my mind
The artist is acknowledging that their actions don't reflect their true thoughts and feelings.
That is confusing things
The singer's actions are causing confusion for themselves and potentially others.
I feel hung up and I don't know why
The artist is struggling emotionally but can't pinpoint exactly why.
I don't mind
The singer is accepting of their emotional state.
I could wait forever, I've got time
The singer is willing to take their time with this person and hopes to have the opportunity to speak their mind in the future.
Sometimes I wish I knew you well
The singer desires a stronger connection with this person.
Then I could speak my mind and tell
The artist longs to be able to express themselves openly and honestly to this person.
Maybe you'd understand
The artist hopes that this person would be able to understand their feelings if they were able to express themselves clearly.
I've got time
The singer is patient and willing to wait for the right time to express themselves fully.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GEORGE HARRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eleanor8079
Lyrics.
I want to tell you
My head is filled with things to say
When you're here
All those words, they seem to slip away
When I get near you
The games begin to drag me down
It's all right
I'll make you maybe next time around
But if I seem to act unkind
It's only me, it's not my mind
That is confusin' things
I want to tell you
I feel hung up, but I don't know why
I don't mind
I could wait forever, I've got time
Sometimes I wish I knew you well
Then I could speak my mind and tell you
Maybe you'd understand
I want to tell you
I feel hung up, but I don't know why
I don't mind
I could wait forever, I've got time
I've got time
I've got time
@RobertCeisler
I want to tell you
My head is filled with things to say
When you're here
All those words they seem to slip away
When i get near you
The games begin to drag me down
It's all right
I'll make you maybe next time around
But if i seem to act unkind
It's only me, it's not my mind
That is confusing things
I want to tell you
I feel hung up and i don't know why
I don't mind
I could wait forever, i've got time
Sometimes i wish i knew you well
Then i could speak my mind and tell
Maybe you'd understand
I want to tell you
I feel hung up and i don't know why
I don't mind
I could wait forever, i've got time
I've got time
I've got time
@borntogazeintonightskies
One of their most criminally underrated songs.
RIP George Harrison.
@steveshattah339
Jimi Hendrix experience was riffing on this song in between cuts on the BBC sessions album.
@borntogazeintonightskies
@Steve Shattah Cool.
@judycarrier1790
I totally agree, 100 percent. The beginning chords to this day give me chills. Love love love this song. Miss you George. ❤❤❤
@MrNowhereland
The opening riff is awesome, I keep waking up to it in my head ;-)
@irvin564
he ain't even dead
@Wimmles_Emily
It’s like the Beatles have a song for everything you feel
@judycarrier1790
PERFECTLY SAID!!!!
@BigManSquirrel13
You literally could not have said it any better
@harold3165
I don't think it's possible for you to have said this any better