World's Greatest Love Songs: The Beatles - "I Will" (1968), First in a Series


The Beatles (White Album)

Paul McCartney wrote "I Will", (credited as Lennon/McCartney), during the Beatles famed trip to India to meditate with the Maharishi in 1968, and it was part of the White album. Paul played acoustic guitar and sang, Ringo Starr played bongos, and John Lennon played percussion. George Harrison did not appear on the track.

In Barry Miles' book, Many Years From Now, Paul talked about the writing. "I wrote...very simple words, straight love-song words really. I think they're quite effective. It's still one of my favourite melodies that I've written. You just occasionally get lucky with a melody and it becomes rather complete and I think this is one of them; quite a complete tune."

Paul is quite right. With its timeless melody and its charming lyric, "I Will" is one minute and forty-four seconds of pure bliss.

Listen to "I Will"


Who knows how long I've loved you
You know I love you still
Will I wait a lonely lifetime
If you want me to, I will.

For if I ever saw you
I didn't catch your name
But it never really mattered
I will always feel the same.

Love you forever and forever
Love you with all my heart
Love you whenever we're together
Love you when we're apart.

And when at last I find you
Your song will fill the air
Sing it loud so I can hear you
Make it easy to be near you
For the things you do endear you to me
Oh, you know, I will
I will.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC






Comments

Bill Dorman said…
Refreshing , Always the mark of true art.
5/12/2013
Bill Dorman said…
Great choice listened to after an impossibly hectic day and felt freshened .
Never equated Paul with lifeboy soap before ! LOL

Peace
BD
5/12/2013
Charlie Ricci said…
This truly is a Beatles/Paul classic. It's one of his best love songs. It's also one I can actually sing.
5/15/2013
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