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The Beatles — I Want You (She's So Heavy)
Album: Abbey Road
Avg rating:
8.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4690









Released: 1969
Length: 7:45
Plays (last 30 days): 2
I want you
I want you so bad
I want you
I want you so bad
It's driving me mad
It's driving me mad

I want you
I want you so bad, babe
I want you
I want you so bad
It's driving me mad
It's driving me

I want you
I want you so bad, babe
I want you
I want you so bad
It's driving me mad
It's driving me mad

I want you
I want you so bad
I want you
I want you so bad
It's driving me mad
It's driving me

She's so
Heavy
Heavy, heavy, heavy

She's so
Heavy
She's so heavy, heavy, heavy

I want you
I want you so bad
Want you
I want you so bad
It's driving me mad
It's driving me mad

I want you
You know I want you so bad, babe
I want you
You know I want you so bad
It's driving me mad
It's driving me mad

Yeah

She's so...
Comments (499)add comment
 Toff wrote:

 3 geniuses and a genuine.


"Ringo, we want it to sound like this here." R- "But that's two drummers." and yet he'd pull it off
Remember when you heard this ending the first time? It was like, HUH?

Just another Lennonism.  
Fucking Ace..
 Silvervanman wrote:
This band was probably prog before prog was a thing, grunge before grunge was a thing, space rock before psychedelia was a thing, and occasionally heavy rock before that was a thing.  3 geniuses and a drummer.
 
 3 geniuses and a genuine.
1969 ............   
Paul is out of the line, walking barefoot.
Unreachable great arrangement ever! It's driving me mad!
Cette chanson est magique  et d'une modernité incroyable !
This is one of my favorite songs. I love how it's structured, how it changes mood and tempo, how it builds up to the climaxing end and then just stops. It doesn't sound like any other Beatles song. When I watched the 'Get back' documentary I was blown away by their productivity. Despite obvious tensions among the members, there are these magic moments in between where their genius collaboration is visible. Talking about productivity, not only did they create the songs for the Let it be album but they also wrote many of the Abbey Road songs as well as some of their future solo work. There is this moment in the documentary when John starts playing 'I want you (she's so heavy)'. I got goose bumps witnessing how this song was created. 
 jnhashmi wrote:

Another wonderful example of what you get when a real DJ handles the music - respect for the dead silence at the end of the song. Bill understands that this is part of the song, and he lets you soak it in. Thanks.



Well, some new algorithm (?) took the silence away. I consider this to be sad.
 bhaltazarjabaq wrote:

i wonder if the beatles played this piece live.




Well they stopped touring in '66. Last "live" performance was the rooftop before Abbey Road so probably not.
 Tippster wrote:

And Paul's bass... 

and the Billy Preston on the keyboard...which I've honestly not heard so clearly as today...maybe it just needed to be louder than usual?
 Silvervanman wrote:

This band was probably prog before prog was a thing, grunge before grunge was a thing, space rock before psychedelia was a thing, and occasionally heavy rock before that was a thing.  3 geniuses and a drummer



Drummer has a name FYi. He's also genious enough to be still alive. Ringo rocks.  
This one is SO good! 
 Tippster wrote:

And Paul's bass... 


And Billy's organ!
 BonzoWiltsUK wrote:

Heavy, as in tedious. Find a little riff and bang it on and on. Thank you Bill, at least you've cut it short this time!



You keep posting the same drivel about every several months on this thread... looking for attention much?

Give it a rest lad and let the adults listen to the good music.
Great segue from Jack White, On and On and On... clever :)
Heavy, as in tedious. Find a little riff and bang it on and on. Thank you Bill, at least you've cut it short this time!
Wow. Just iconic and stunning musical genius. 
Ever and Always a Beatles fan. 
Never get tired of this.  
EXTRA GREAT!!!  This is the LAST album that they recorded, even though they released it before "Let it Be".   ...What a way to go out!  ...My favorite Beatle album!  Thanx RP!   
i wonder if the beatles played this piece live.
Same today as back then, so incredibly tokeable...
Génie des temps modernes
 NickDanger wrote:
This. Entire. Album!
 
Agreed! Flip 'er over at least so we can hear HCTS :)
This. Entire. Album!
Perfection in music! The evolution in six years from a little group of four lads that did a nice job on some English folk songs with a little bit of American rock mixed in to this full blown orchestral masterwork with multiple layers of unique and memorable rhythm and harmony and rich instrumentation is remarkable. So glad I was a young lad myself when all this was happening.
 Silvervanman wrote:

This band was probably prog before prog was a thing, grunge before grunge was a thing, space rock before psychedelia was a thing, and occasionally heavy rock before that was a thing.  3 geniuses and a drummer



"3 geniuses and a drummer."

 That one made me laugh.  No respect for the 4th in the quartet.  That's okay.  I'm sure he doesn't mind by this point.   He didn't mind much back then, either.  Or at least he never let on.  

And by this point of the four of 'em he's the one still out there doing whatever it is he does.  The guy had, and has, a certain kind of understated class that's not much appreciated by all those seeking preening glory.  

It's the sort of class we could have used more of back then, and certainly could use more of today.  And he wasn't a bad drummer, either.  😉
 BCarn wrote:


First time hearing it?


In this time frame there was a significant amount of chatter that the Beatles did not know how to end a song.  Even back then I thought that was pretty odd.  After all the music they produced they forgot how to end a song? 
 jnhashmi wrote:

Another wonderful example of what you get when a real DJ handles the music - respect for the dead silence at the end of the song. Bill understands that this is part of the song, and he lets you soak it in. Thanks.


This time the silence resolved  into The Cardigans No Sleep...just perfect.
 Silvervanman wrote:

This band was probably prog before prog was a thing, grunge before grunge was a thing, space rock before psychedelia was a thing, and occasionally heavy rock before that was a thing.  3 geniuses and a drummer


Just a drummer?  Ringo is much better than people give him credit for.  He had a 'feel' to his drumming that many other drummers envy.  Just ask Dave Grohl.

Hey John, Your song just OOZES KOOLNESS !!
Evreytime this songs comes up I get happy because I know Bill will play the rest of the side B from Abbey road next, right Bill?
Talk about an EPIC song...
From the SIXTIES??!!!Damn, they were something.
 walterbenozzi wrote:

First heard this when I was a teenager (a long, long time ago...). My first reaction was Wow! I can't think of anything more fitting after all these years: Wow!



Me neither, what a way to end.  And it sounds as good today as when we first heard it.

I was a female falling in love with George in early 60's ... and I followed them all the way to the 'end'.

And now 60+ years later they're still the only band that has lasted this long (sorry not forgetting Mick & Co but they're still on the planet), with such a following .... and I may not be here to see the end, but I know it's not sometime soon. 

They really are a phenomenon.
 BonzoWiltsUK wrote:

Banal lyric, average backing and at least 3minutes too long




yes, exactly what i thought: just a great rock song!
i rated it 9, too.
Unbelievably mesmerizing. 

Their music will still be played and appreciated/analyzed/emulated countless centuries from now.... if there is, in fact, immortality, The Beatles have come as close to it as any.

Though I'm 61 -- I was a wee bit young and naive to claim  the label of "Beatlemaniac" -- I still  feel privileged to have known and (somewhat) grown with them as one of their contemporaries. 

The world may very well stop for a moment when Paul & Ringo pass on. I know mine will, anyway.
 BonzoWiltsUK wrote:

Banal lyric, average backing and at least 3minutes too long




I guess you were born yesterday.
I"m not a big Beatles fan,but gotta say, this is a brilliant tune.
Banal lyric, average backing and at least 3minutes too long
3 Abbey Rd, London NW8 9AY, United Kingdom.

April 1969:  The Beatles went to Abbey Road recording studios to make their final album.


Even now people from all over the world stop by this location to take pictures of themselves imitating the famous artwork where the four band members are walking straight across the crossing.

The studio and famous zebra crossing have since become 'Grade II' listed   

The guys are still regarded as British Music Icons to this day 
Sounds like Santana in parts. I never liked the long drawn out wooshing ending, done using a moog synthesiser.
The SHITTY BEATLES?!?
are they any good?!
*Dude* - they  SUCK!
I'm going mad, I want this to stop Sooooo BAAAYAD!
 Chi_Editrix wrote:

My daughter (b. 1979) once uttered these scornful words to me: "Beatles, Schmeatles." Sometime later she heard "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" on the radio for the first time and said "this is the greatest song ever written. It's the Platonic ideal of rock songs. Who was that?" 
Heh.


One for old folks.  My son (1994) doesn't like them because all their songs are about love.  Well, no and so what?  But you've got to pick your battles.
 drewd wrote:

Let me fix your collar mate....
They had no idea they were about to step into history.

8 August 1969: The Abbey Road cover photoshoot


Neither did the cleaning lady! Bless her.
 QuantumShaman wrote:

Well, they coordinated it enough to have Paul be barefoot and stepping with the opposite leg vs the others, being that he was dead at the time... !

28IF, as the [coordinated] license plate reads.


I think it was just a groovy "London thing" of the day maybe?
 yofitofu wrote:
I'm getting the hint that he wants you so bad.


There were lots of ladies who could imagine Paul singing that just for them, back in those days..  Trust me.
 Silvervanman wrote:

This band was probably prog before prog was a thing, grunge before grunge was a thing, space rock before psychedelia was a thing, and occasionally heavy rock before that was a thing.  3 geniuses and a drummer




The four were all apart of what made for the genius that was the Beatles.Ringo being more than just the drummer!

funky bass!
“There's that word again, ‘heavy’. Why are things so heavy in the future, is there a problem with the Earth's gravitational pull?”
I'm getting the hint that he wants you so bad.
GREAT!!  Thanx RP!
plods along for too long but interesting enough to listen to. Not a Beatles highlight.
A collection of creativity rarely, if ever, equaled.
 igotitmade2k wrote:

OMG they just stopped playing, right in the mi..



First time hearing it?
BTW Paul is dead..

 drewd wrote:

Let me fix your collar mate....
They had no idea they were about to step into history.

8 August 1969: The Abbey Road cover photoshoot


OMG they just stopped playing, right in the mi..

Let me fix your collar mate....
They had no idea they were about to step into history.

8 August 1969: The Abbey Road cover photoshoot
 Bleyfusz wrote:

I can't help it, there's something odd about the above album sleeve: four pedestrians, at least two of them dressed in what looks like business suites, crossing a street and accurately coordinating their steps, like under severe supervision. Is it meant to be ironic? Or am I just getting to philosophical about an iconic pop image?


Well, they coordinated it enough to have Paul be barefoot and stepping with the opposite leg vs the others, being that he was dead at the time... !

28IF, as the [coordinated] license plate reads.
best ending ever. 
 Silvervanman wrote:

This band was probably prog before prog was a thing, grunge before grunge was a thing, space rock before psychedelia was a thing, and occasionally heavy rock before that was a thing.  3 geniuses and a drummer


Ringo was often dismissed at just "a drummer."  One of the more notable people to have underestimated Ringo's talents was George Martin, who brought in a session drummer to replace Ringo for the Beatle's first recording, "Love Me Do." Martin later apologized (many times), but continued to underplay Ringo's gifts. 

And yet... Ringo is ranked  #14 on Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Drummers of All Time." He set the standard for rock drumming, although imitating him wasn't easy--he was left-handed and played on a right-handed kit. The RS article sums up his place in the drummers' pantheon this way:

 "Though he was often underappreciated during the flamboyant late Sixties that produced Keith Moon and Mitch Mitchell, Ringo didn't just ground the greatest band of all time, he helped give their music shape and focus — listen to the ecstatic rolls that open "She Loves You," the crisp buoyancy of "Ticket to Ride," the slippery cymbal work and languid concision of "Rain..."

Ringo avoided the limelight, and didn't do many solos, but listen to this one on the last song of the Beatles' last album, appropriately titled "The End
 paloeguevo wrote:

If other artists’ careers were as short as The Beatles’ career:

Michael Jackson (1972-1979)
Taylor Swift (2006-2013)
Beyoncé (2003-2010)
Justin Bieber (2010-2017)
Rihanna (2005-2012)
Drake (2010-2017)
Eminem (1996-2003)
Adele (2008-2015)
Kendrick Lamar (2011-2018)



I feel you opted for a quite liberal use for the term "artist". At least ONE name on this list makes me cringe
Paul sketched out this idea on notepaper (the sketch still exists) and during a recording break they walked out onto the crossing outside Abbey Rd studios and did some shots until they picked the one they liked best.

This love song to Yoko sounds like Santana for a bit.
 Proclivities wrote:


As you know, there have probably been hundreds of explanations,  interpretations, and observations written about that album cover.  It always seemed to me that they just went out on the street and had the photographer take a few shots with no real point or meaning.



I Agree!! Completely!!
 joejennings wrote:

This was the LAST album they recorded, even though it was released prior to Let it Be! What a way to go out!  SUPER EXCELLENT!!!!!!




 Bleyfusz wrote:

I can't help it, there's something odd about the above album sleeve: four pedestrians, at least two of them dressed in what looks like business suites, crossing a street and accurately coordinating their steps, like under severe supervision. Is it meant to be ironic? Or am I just getting to philosophical about an iconic pop image?



As you know, there have probably been hundreds of explanations,  interpretations, and observations written about that album cover.  It always seemed to me that they just went out on the street and had the photographer take a few shots with no real point or meaning.
 LoudshirtsBand wrote:

Registration plate is 28IF

wasn't there something about rubbing vaseline on the albumn cover?!  had to be the drugs but i cannot remember...
What a song!

Unbelievable..
This has been on heavy rotation recently.  i like it!
 cambuddyf wrote:

From  Wikipedia -  "The final master lasted 8:04, but Lennon decided on a surprise ending. During the final edit with the guitars, drums and white noise climaxing endlessly, he told recording engineer Geoff  Emerick to "cut it right there" at the 7:44 mark, bringing the song (and side one of Abbey Road) to an abrupt end. "  

One of the many great things about these four lads from Liverpool was to do things a little bit different.  



When John did this it was great. But I wonder if he had any inkling how much more dramatic it would become with the advent of the compact disc (CD) and the abrupt end to this song transitioning to the sublime Here Comes The Sun without the distraction of having to flip the album. Talking about being ahead of your time...

I wish RP would set this up like that, the way the last several tracks of side 2 are compiled together.
 Alastair wrote:

Can't help thinking that people are marking this high simply because of who is performing it.



Nah.  I grew up thinking The Beatles were "meh."  But songs like this are what helped me to realize how amazing they were as musicians.  For real, just listen to it.  Listen to that bassline.  Listen to the rawness of the vocals, the dingy sound of the guitar.  That buildup, the breakdown, and "she's so heavy!"

I just think you have it a little turned around.
 Alastair wrote:

Can't help thinking that people are marking this high simply because of who is performing it.



That and the fact that it is one bada** rock n roll tune.
 Alastair wrote:

Can't help thinking that people are marking this high simply because of who is performing it.



you are free to think and have wrong ideas
From  Wikipedia -  "The final master lasted 8:04, but Lennon decided on a surprise ending. During the final edit with the guitars, drums and white noise climaxing endlessly, he told recording engineer Geoff  Emerick to "cut it right there" at the 7:44 mark, bringing the song (and side one of Abbey Road) to an abrupt end. "  

One of the many great things about these four lads from Liverpool was to do things a little bit different.  

I had a step-grandmother (long story) who said that if someone told her she was heavy she would be deeply insulted. " Why would you say that about a person? Very inappropriate."
 Silvervanman wrote:

This band was probably prog before prog was a thing, grunge before grunge was a thing, space rock before psychedelia was a thing, and occasionally heavy rock before that was a thing.  3 geniuses and a drummer



Hmm, I think you meant 4 geniuses, 1 of them on the drums
Can't help thinking that people are marking this high simply because of who is performing it.
If other artists’ careers were as short as The Beatles’ career:

Michael Jackson (1972-1979)
Taylor Swift (2006-2013)
Beyoncé (2003-2010)
Justin Bieber (2010-2017)
Rihanna (2005-2012)
Drake (2010-2017)
Eminem (1996-2003)
Adele (2008-2015)
Kendrick Lamar (2011-2018)
THIS IS MADLY INSPIRED, and -- WOW, after all these years, the menacing bass, the sinister keyboards, Lennon's unhinged singing 
-- AS HEAVY AS IT GETS
This was the LAST album they recorded, even though it was released prior to Let it Be! What a way to go out!  SUPER EXCELLENT!!!!!!
Not usually a Beatles fan... This is fekin AWESOME!!!!
This band was probably prog before prog was a thing, grunge before grunge was a thing, space rock before psychedelia was a thing, and occasionally heavy rock before that was a thing.  3 geniuses and a drummer
    YES
Only thing that could make this better is hearing “Here Comes The Sun” immediately after.
Greatest song ending ever....in that it doesn't really have one! 
 luisaa72 wrote:
I've always wondered who this song is about :D


Maybe Mama Casss? See Mamas and Papas Creeque Alley

 snowcone wrote:

Might be an unpopular opinion, but i'll happily say this is the only Beatles song i actually enjoy.
That outro... a turbulent swirling black hole.



I dare you to go listen to Rubber Soul and come back and say that again.
So powerful and modern ! Have you heard the cover by a swiss band called Coroner ? You should !
I've always wondered who this song is about :D
I got a cassette of this LP when I was 12.  It was 1970.  I wore it out on my Ampex Micro 9 portable.  This song blew my mind.   No, wait, the whole album did. When I first heard this song end, I thought my tape had malfunctioned.  Turns out it was just George Martin and Geoff Emerick.
 snowcone wrote:

Might be an unpopular opinion, but i'll happily say this is the only Beatles song i actually enjoy.
That outro... a turbulent swirling black hole.



Sad for you....they are the greatest....
Might be an unpopular opinion, but i'll happily say this is the only Beatles song i actually enjoy.
That outro... a turbulent swirling black hole.
 Aaronosteo wrote:

Just finished Philip Norman's John Lennon biography. Man - JL was nuts! But look at the magic he made with his band of 3 (4? GM too). But - do read that book - it's great and tells of a bygone era.



Check out the documentary "Who is Harry Nilsson?" He and Mr. Lennon crossed paths to devastating effect. Human's are a pretty nutty bunch.
Weight of Love
Once Upon A Time In The West
Love is the Drug
Grounds for Divorce
I Want You

That was the best mix. Perfect. Thanks.
Just finished Philip Norman's John Lennon biography. Man - JL was nuts! But look at the magic he made with his band of 3 (4? GM too). But - do read that book - it's great and tells of a bygone era.
 meatmike wrote:


Dude!  This has been analyzed and debated TO DEATH!  Google it and spend years obsessing over it like 1,000's of others have if you like.  In the end, it's just what they decided to do and the random way they ended up doing it.
Of course, Paul has been replaced by a drone though...

Now that it's clear that my original comment went down the wrong way, let me state the following:

Elvis Presley is not alive in some resort in the Rocky Mountains.
Walt Disney has never been cryopreserved upon his death.
Apollo 11 was certainly no fake, and Stanley Kubrick had nothing to do with its worldwide retransmission.
Lee Harvey Oswald most likely acted on his own.


As for the Paul is Dead thing: first time I ever heard about it. For all I can scratch together, I must have been about two years old by the time that bullshit started circling around. (I could have jumped on later in my life? True, but I never did, if only for the above mentioned reason.)

What I actually meant with "odd", regarding the famous cover photo, was that I always found it utterly boring, in spite of its status as a pop icon. I mean, give me The Who stepping down a hillside after (supposedly) having a pee on a concrete slab anytime. Or the Clash bassist wielding his instrument like an ax on the stage. Even Nick Drake crouching behind a guitar with his shoes off will do. But four guys walking a zebra crossing one behind the other? What's the whole point? Was it supposed to look cool? The attention I've always been paying can be measured by the fact that I never even noticed Paul walking barefoot.

Think of me what you will and if need be, stone me as a blasphemer. But please - do you hear me, Pinto, On_The_Beach, bruceandjenna, talexb? - don't you EVER hook me up with conspiracy theories again.

Never ever!



 coloradojohn wrote:
I am always and eternally stunned and in awe of the bass on this priceless jam; not far in at all, and there's Paul, doing some sort of subterranean sonic excavation and magic with his fingers, and next thing I know my spine's all a-tingle and my brain lights right up... 
 
That sounds like a reaction to either sex or drugs.  Or both.  If so, you've got 2 of the 3 holy trinity covered.  The Beatles can do the rest. 
First heard this when I was a teenager (a long, long time ago...). My first reaction was Wow! I can't think of anything more fitting after all these years: Wow!
 LoudshirtsBand wrote:

Registration plate is 28IF
 

Look after the king of R n R please 
 billlewis wrote:
Can't wait for the movie "Get Back"  Aug 21 See here on UTUBE
 

Look after the king of R n R please 
They should have used this in the last scene of The Stand.  
guys, guys, were stuck in a loop!
just quit
I'm digging Paul's bass line, thanks for the FLAC feed.
Can't wait for the movie "Get Back"  Aug 21 See here on UTUBE
This gem is from 1969... you could easily say it's from beyond 2000, if not completely contemporary.

A Heavy Masterpiece.
My former step-grandmother heard this and announced indignantly that she would NOT like it if someone called her heavy. In this context, not a chance, grandma.
 stevesaw wrote:

and Paul is out of step with the others
 
It's a compositional thing.
Brilliant transition into this track, which is one I never get tired of hearing..!
 talexb wrote:

Do you remember the 'Paul is dead' rumour circulating at the time? It even explained how each of the Beatles was dressed in this photo: John as the mourner, Ringo as the celebrant, Paul barefoot (because he was ostensibly dead), and George as the grave-digger. I think the registration plate of the bug had meaning -- he would have been 33 if he'd lived (the plate has 'IF'). Conspiracy theories from the 70's, woo.

PS This is a classically great piece of music. 10. :)
 
Registration plate is 28IF
 stevesaw wrote:

and Paul is out of step with the others
 
and with the cigarette in the wrong hand (laft hander!)...
Jeden z piękniejszych utworów Lennona, bardzo ekspresywny. Urwanie dźwięku robi wrażenie na końcu.
Once again, it is great to hear old music in FLAC with great headphones, amp & DAC! ...when this came out, I had a cheap Panasonic stereo! ...Now the greatness really shines!
 talexb wrote:

Do you remember the 'Paul is dead' rumour circulating at the time? It even explained how each of the Beatles was dressed in this photo: John as the mourner, Ringo as the celebrant, Paul barefoot (because he was ostensibly dead), and George as the grave-digger. I think the registration plate of the bug had meaning -- he would have been 33 if he'd lived (the plate has 'IF'). Conspiracy theories from the 70's, woo.

PS This is a classically great piece of music. 10. :)
 
and Paul is out of step with the others
For all the times that I've heard this song (over about a 40 years time period), this is the first time that I'm realizing that for a song of this length, it's not very complex from a lyrical perspective.

That being said, it's probably one of the grooviest jam tunes there is
Wow, never heard this before. Finally I've discovered. a Beatles song I like. Thank you RP!
Just brilliant! Song ends when the tape ends. Characteristically with the Beatles they said that works, anyone done that before?
I always rate all Radio Paradise songs at 9, no matter. But I ratted Beatles 10.  I miss them so much.
 Bleyfusz wrote:
I can't help it, there's something odd about the above album sleeve: four pedestrians, at least two of them dressed in what looks like business suites, crossing a street and accurately coordinating their steps, like under severe supervision. Is it meant to be ironic? Or am I just getting to philosophical about an iconic pop image?
 

Dude!  This has been analyzed and debated TO DEATH!  Google it and spend years obsessing over it like 1,000's of others have if you like.  In the end, it's just what they decided to do and the random way they ended up doing it.
Of course, Paul has been replaced by a drone though...