Bob Dylan

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About I Want You

"I Want You" is a song recorded by Bob Dylan in 1966. Recorded in the early morning hours of March 10, 1966, the song was the last one recorded for Dylan's double-album Blonde on Blonde. It was issued as a single that June, shortly before the release of the album. There were three complete takes of "I Want You", with the final take and a guitar overdub comprising the master. The recording session was released in its entirety on the 18-disc Collector's Edition of The Bootleg Series Vol. 12: The Cutting Edge 1965–1966 in 2015, with the penultimate take of the song also appearing on the 6-disc and 2-disc versions of that album. Dylan performed "I Want You" as a slow ballad during his 1978 world tour, as heard on Bob Dylan at Budokan, released in 1979. Dylan also revisited the song in 1987 on a co-tour with the Grateful Dead; their version was released in 1989 on the Dylan and the Dead album. The single's B-side was a live version of "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" recorded in Liverpool, England at the Odeon Theatre on May 14, 1966. (This was the first released recording of Dylan live with the Hawks, later the Band.)more »

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The guilty undertaker sighsThe lonesome organ grinder criesThe silver saxophones say I should refuse youThe cracked bells and washed-out hornsBlow into my face with scorn, but it’sNot that way, I wasn’t born to lose youI want youI want youI want you, so badHoney, I want youThe drunken politician leapsUpon the street where mothers weepAnd the saviors who are fast asleep, they wait for youAnd I wait for them to interruptMe drinkin’ from my broken cupAnd ask me to open up the gate for youI want youI want youYes I want you, so badHoney, I want youHow all my fathers, they’ve gone downTrue love they’ve been without itBut all their daughters put me down’Cause I don’t think about itWell, I return to the Queen of SpadesAnd talk with my chambermaidShe knows that I’m not afraid to look at herShe is good to me and there’sNothing she doesn’t seeShe knows where I’d like to be but it doesn’tMatterI want youI want youYes I want you, so badHoney, I want youNow your dancing child with his Chinese suit heSpoke to me, I took his fluteNo, I wasn’t very cute to him, was I?But I did it, because he lied andBecause he took you for a rideAnd because time was on his side andBecause IWant youI want youYes I want you, so badHoney, I want you

Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan ( /ˈdɪlən/; born Robert Allen Zimmerman; May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, poet and artist. He has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly reluctant figurehead of social unrest. A number of Dylan's early songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'", became anthems for the US civil rights and anti-war movements. Leaving his initial base in the culture of folk music behind, Dylan's six-minute single "Like a Rolling Stone" has been described as radically altering the parameters of popular music in … more »

20 facts about this song

Song Information

"I Want You" is a popular song by the iconic American singer and songwriter 'Bob Dylan'.

Album Presence

The song was featured in Dylan's 1966 studio album, "Blonde on Blonde."

Genre

"I Want You" falls under the genres of folk rock and folk-pop.

Popularity

"I Want You" is one of Dylan's most popular songs, and it has been widely covered by other artists, including The Beatles' lead guitarist, George Harrison.

Recording

The song was recorded at the Columbia Music Row Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.

Release and Success

The song, released as a single in June 1966, quickly rose to number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, and number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.

Unique Lyrics Style

Like many of Dylan's songs, "I Want You" is known for its distinctive and enigmatic lyrics.

Song Meaning

While the meaning of the song has been the subject of speculation and debate, many believe it is a love song, with others suggesting the lyrics express a sense of urgency and desperation.

Last Song Recorded for Album

"I Want You" was one of the last songs Dylan recorded for the "Blonde on Blonde" album.

Title and Lyrics

Despite the song's short, simple title, "I Want You," the lyrics are much more poetic and complex, featuring a myriad of characters and situations.

Critical Reception

Critics generally received the song favorably, praising its heartfelt lyrics and Dylan's singing style.

Influence

The song continues to influence modern artists, covering various genres, thanks to its timeless appeal.

Live Performances

Dylan has performed "I Want You" numerous times during his live performances and it remains a fan-favorite.

Notable Covers

Among the numerous covers, a rendition by the 1970s folk duo 'Ian and Sylvia' is quite popular.

Song Duration

The official duration of "I Want You" is 3:07 minutes.

Music Video

Interestingly, an official music video for the song was only released in 2000, more than three decades after the song’s original release. The video features footage from Dylan's 1966 tour.

The Musicians

In addition to Dylan, the song features Nashville session musicians such as guitarist Wayne Moss and pianist Hargus "Pig" Robbins.

Notable Performances

"I Want You" was included in Dylan's famous 1975 Rolling Thunder Revue tour.

In Pop Culture

The song is often heard on many television shows and movies, affirming its enduring appeal.

Timeless Appeal

Even after more than 50 years of its release, the song remains relevant, and its appeal hasn't waned among music connoisseurs and Dylan's fans alike.

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