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 alright
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 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


Lyrics submitted by Ice

I Want to Tell You Lyrics as written by George Harrison

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

I Want to Tell You song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

9 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General Comment

    This song is great. It's kinda obviously about wanting to tell someone you love them but cant try because.

    themachine312on June 17, 2004   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I agree with themachine312. In addition, note the lovely A-section ending (that becomes the coda) resting in the final assureance that we indeed have all the time in the universe. It's neat how the song puts together the seemingly contradictory notions of "being stuck" (hung up, etc.) and yet, at the same time, at another level, in a deep, reassuring, visceral way, aware that time is an illusion. All that, and the fact that the song structure and changes are a delight, typifying The Beatles during their "in between" time, when they still exhibited strong traditional tunesmithing values, while cleverly incorporating/integrating experimentation with phrasing and polymodalism. Perhaps that mirrors the seeming contradiction in the lyrics, in a way that shows the lyrics to be no contradiction at all!

    razajacon October 07, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    An enjoyable, simpe tune with an interesting melody.

    An evident meaning about wanting to tell someone about the way you feel for them; yet, not familiar enough with them to tell them exactly whats on your mind. Excellent lyrics many of us can relate to!!!

    AnotherLonelyDayon November 30, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I like the way George sings this. i can't imagine john or Paul singing it instead, its a perfect george song. I like the disonance of the hammering piano too. great song.

    Lemmonon January 24, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    A good George song... I always love listening to this one, it gets me in a good mood.

    EyeMtheWalruson April 16, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    there you go, sleuth

    msrmx350on January 16, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    1 of my beatles favorites!

    TIZZYon November 22, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I just noticed this! I was listening to my iPod and at about 1:16 into the song, Paul is singing back-up for George. They are singing, "I feel hung-up and I don't know why". When Paul tries to sing the high note on "why", his voice cracks a little bit. Or at least it breaks up a little. You can hear it at specifically 1:19, but you have to listen extremely close. I also know it's not just my iPod; I listened to the song on the radio and I still heard it. Please tell me if you hear this too, so I know I'm not just going crazy. Also, after the voice-cracking incident, listen to Paul's voice. H

    abbeyroad115on March 25, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ^^^ sry for the bliunder. As I was saying, His voice sounds like he's talking it easier and singing softer. That's just my opinion.

    abbeyroad115on March 25, 2008   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.