I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (Lennon/McCartney)
The lyrics to I Want You were once read aloud on the British show 24 Hours as an example of the “banalities of pop music”, much to John Lennon’s anger. He felt that the simpleness in the lyric made it superior to I Am The Walrus and other lyrically elaborate songs. It was written as a love song to Yoko.
Billy’s here
The first section was recorded right after the end of sessions for Get Back/Let It Be and featured Billy Preston on organ.
Two versions
The song was constructed using two recordings, similar to how Strawberry Fields Forever was assembled. The first was the beginning half, recorded in February with Billy Preston. The second was recorded in a later April session. That session featured John on a Moog synthesizer belonging to George; the white noise near the end of the song was recorded on the Moog and overdubbed later.
Quotes
“The end of ‘I Want You’? You can’t get any heavier than that!” – John Lennon, September 1969
“It’s very heavy. John plays lead guitar and sings the same as he plays. It’s really basically a bit like a blues. The riff that he sings and plays is really a very basic blues-type thing. But again, it’s very original sort of John-type song.” – George Harrison
“‘She’s So Heavy’ was about Yoko. When you’re drowning, you don’t say, ‘I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me.’ You just scream.” – John Lennon
Personnel
- John Lennon – lead and harmony vocals, multi-tracked lead guitar, Moog synthesizer
- Paul McCartney – harmony vocals, bass guitar
- George Harrison – harmony vocals, rhythm guitar, multi-tracked lead guitar
- Ringo Starr – drums, congas, wind machine
- Billy Preston – Hammond organ
Release history
- Abbey Road (1969)
- Abbey Road Anniversary Edition (2019) [2019 mix]
- Abbey Road Anniversary Edition (2019) [Trident recording session & reduction mix]
