"I Want to Tell You" is a song written by George Harrison and originally released by The Beatles on their 1966 album Revolver.[1] Working titles, originating from Harrison's inability to name his songs, were "Laxton's Superb" (a breed of apple, following on from "Granny Smith") and "I Don't Know."
"I Want to Tell You" is in the key of A major. It is driven by bass fours and a catchy, persistent piano discord: a short, distinctive guitar melody opens and closes the song and recurs between verses. Harrison's voice is supported by John Lennon and Paul McCartney in close harmony.
The Beatles recorded the main track and several overdubs on 2 June 1966 and added more overdubs on 3 June.[2] McCartney's bass was overdubbed separately from the rhythm track, allowing careful composition and mixing, a method that became common during The Beatles' later recordings.
Like "Eight Days a Week", the song begins with a fade-in. During the song's ending fadeout (a reprise of the song's guitar intro featuring a prominent group vocal harmony), McCartney makes notable use of melisma while chanting 'I've got time', revealing the song's subtle Indian influence.
Neil Innes of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band (and later The Rutles) said the Bonzos' first studio experience was at Abbey Road Studios while The Beatles were recording "I Want to Tell You". Innes said he took a break in one of the studio's hallways and heard The Beatles playing back the song, blasting it at full volume. Innes recounted that he was in a state of immense awe over the song's beauty, and sheepishly returned to the Bonzo session, where they were recording the 1920s Vaudeville song "My Brother Makes the Noises for the Talkies".