After the Beatles stopped touring in 1966, George started writing more songs than could be fitted onto the albums so that by the time of the split he had built up a collection of songs, some used on his debut solo album, All Things Must Pass. The album, released in 1970, contains the two-time number one hit, "My Sweet Lord".
Harrison is also credited for creating music benefits, notably the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. Harrison played beside Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, and Leon Russell to a crowd of 40,000 in Madison Square Garden, New York. The show raised over $240,000 benefiting the George Harrison Fund for Bangladesh relief.
Harrison went on to release several successful solo albums, and in the late 1980s collaborated with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty, in a group called Traveling Wilburys. The group released two albums. Later, Harrison reunited with the other two surviving Beatles, after John Lennon's murder in 1980, to produce two final Beatles records, "Free As a Bird" and "Real Love" featuring the voice of Lennon, taken from home demos provided by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. The three Beatles also co-wrote a massive autobiography and television special, both titled "The Beatles Anthology."
Before his death, Harrison conceived of a Cirque du Soleil show, "Love," featuring remixes of Beatles music which were overseen by Beatles producer George Martin.
Harrison died on November 29, 2001 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a wife and son, Olivia and Dhani Harrison. His last album, Brainwashed, was released posthumously and featured the single "Any Road".
A benefit concert in Harrison's memory was played on 29 November 2002 at the Royal Albert Hall. The star-studded event (featuring Eric Clapton and Monty Python, as well as former band mates Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr) was released on the DVD double-album, Concert for George.
I Want to Tell You
George Harrison 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 isn't me, it's just my mind
That is confusing things
I want to tell you
I feel hung up and I don't know why
But I don't mind
I could wait forever, I've got time, 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 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
I've got time
In "I Want to Tell You," George Harrison expresses his frustrations about not being able to communicate his thoughts to the one he loves. He begins by saying that he has a lot to say, but when he is with them, his mind goes blank. It is evident that he feels unfulfilled and that the relationship is not where he wants it to be. He wishes he could "speak his mind and tell" the person how he feels, and maybe they would understand.
However, he admits that sometimes he acts unkind, which is not a reflection of himself but rather his confusing thoughts. This is an acknowledgment that he is struggling to express himself and, as a result, wants to end the relationship. Although Harrison expresses his frustration over the relationship's shortcomings, he is also determined to make it work. He wants to come back and try again, even if he fails, indicating that he is willing to make an effort to improve the relationship.
In conclusion, George Harrison's "I Want to Tell You" is a song about a struggling relationship due to communication problems. Despite his difficulties in expressing himself, Harrison remains optimistic about the possibility of the relationship flourishing.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to tell you
I have something I want to share with you
My head is filled with things to say
I have many thoughts that I wish to express
When you're here
In your presence...
All those words, they seem to slip away
...I find myself unable to articulate my thoughts
When I get near you
As I approach you...
The games begin to drag me down
...I begin to feel disheartened by the situation
It's all right
However, it's not a big deal
I'll make you maybe next time around
Perhaps next time I'll be able to express myself better
But if I seem to act unkind
If I come across as rude or unkind...
It isn't me, it's just my mind
...it's not my intention; rather, my thoughts are jumbled
That is confusing things
And this confusion is causing my behavior to be seen negatively
I feel hung up and I don't know why
I am bothered by something and I can't identify the cause
But I don't mind
Nevertheless, it doesn't affect me greatly
I could wait forever, I've got time, I've got time
I am patient and willing to wait for things to improve
Sometimes I wish I knew you well
At times, I long to be more familiar with you
Then I could speak my mind and tell you
So I could express myself freely without reservation
Maybe you'd understand
And perhaps you'd comprehend how I feel
I feel hung up and I don't know why
I am still preoccupied with this unknown issue
I don't mind
And still, it is not a big concern for me
I've got time
I am not in a rush to resolve this
I've got time
I am comfortable with the pace of things
I've got time
I can afford to be patient
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