I Will by The Beatles

Album: The White Album (1968)

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Songfacts®:

In the televised documentary The Beatles Anthology, Paul, George and Ringo are shown relaxing on a blanket outside. Ringo asks Paul what he wrote in India and Paul answers, "I Will." Then George begins playing the song on his ukulele while he and Paul harmonize with it.

McCartney had the tune for a long time. While in India he made an unsuccessful attempt, together with psychedelic singer-songwriter Donovan, to pen a lyric to go with it, months before coming up with the elusive lyric on his own. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Adrian - Wilmington, DE
Recorded at the end of The White Album sessions, the song has some unusual instrumentation. McCartney played acoustic guitar and vocalized the bass (you can hear him going "bom, bom" in parts). John Lennon and Ringo Starr both added percussion using various instruments; George Harrison didn't play on it at all.
Sixty-seven takes were recorded. The 65th was used.
In 1995, this was recorded by the 18-year-old singer/songwriter/guitarist Ben Taylor, the son of Carly Simon and James Taylor. Ben Taylor's version was featured in the movie Bye Bye Love, starring Paul Reiser, and is also featured as part of the movie's soundtrack album. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Annabelle - Eugene, OR
Maureen McGovern covered this song for her 1992 album Baby I'm Yours.
In the mind of Charles Manson, this song was a message from the Beatles that they were looking for him:

For if at last I find you
Your song will fill the air

Manson took to mean that he should release an album. This along with many others were part of his deranged Helter Skelter plan. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Breanna - Henderson, NV
This was the first song Billie Eilish learned how to play. She learned it on ukulele.
Although "I Will" is a love song and McCartney was still in a relationship with actress Jane Asher at the time, he later clarified that he didn't have a specific person in mind when writing it.

"Just because I was involved with Jane at the time doesn't mean this song is addressed to, or about, Jane," McCartney explained in his book The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present. "When I'm writing, it's as if I'm setting words and music to the film I'm watching in my head. It's a declaration of love, yes, but not always to someone specific. Unless it's to a person out there who's listening to the song. And they have to be ready for it. It's almost definitely not going to be a person who's said, 'There he goes again, writing another of those silly love songs.'"

Comments: 55

Jennifur Sun from RamonaLove the sound of Paul's guitar. this song is one of my tied for first of all the Beatles tunes I love. Tend to like the ones that didn't by the Plane or the House or the what ever. my first place tunes are I Will, Oh Darling and I'll Follow The Sun.
Jim from West Palm Beach, FlPaul does some nice live solo versions of this tune. It sounds more like a Rubber Soul kinda song.
Emily from St Louis, MoTo Freddy, Miami, FL. I thought he was writing the lyrics in India..when did he meet Linda?
Emily from St Louis, Mobeautiful song
Kimo from Kona, Hiwho plays the acoustic guitar on this song? it's superb!
Erica from ?, Ohclaire, i know how you feel. im a freshman in high school and i am head over heels in love with the beatles. just know that if these people are truly your friends, they will respect that the beatles make you feel something nothing else does, and they will not tease you about it. i dont know about you, but the beatles give me comfort. they take me back in time to the revolution in the 1960s or back when i would watch my dad play along with their songs when i was little. nobody can take that feeling away from you, so nevermind the haters!!!!
Maya from Toronto, OnI love this song. It's very relaxing, I think about peaceful places, with nice green trees and mountains and a nice lake.haha.I love the beatles and Paul is a cool writer. But I must say, The best version ever is BEN TAYLOR!. The beatles are ok, but Ben Taylor is amazing. His version owns this song. Just listen. I'd guarantee it'd de-stress you, really. I want to spread the word, coz there are so many versions. And Ben taylor is the best. His voice is really nice,very relaxing and the background music is just perfect. :))
Tim from Springfield, MaBen Taylor's version is the only covered Beatles song I've heard that's better than the original, but I knew his version first so that may be why I feel that way
Claire from Colorado Springs, CoI absolutely love this song. although if anyone out there is willing to give some advice to an 11 year old girl please respond! OK, so here's my problem: I LOVE THE BEATLES!! you would think this isn't much of a problem, but it is! All my friends like singers like Ke$ha, or the black eyed peas. But i think those people are just STUPID!!! i get made fun of, and i hate it!. I know these kids have never heard real artistry, but it still hurts me.
Brian from Boston, MaThe Cars admitted to stealing te solo from I Will on the song Best Friends Girlfriend.I encourage everyone to listen to it
Gary from Orlando, FlYet another beautiful melody by Paul, who often sang his bass lines before transliterating them onto the bass guitar, and this one he (or George Martin) decided should remain with the vocal bass line. While I am a *HUGE* Beatle fan, I think the most beautiful version of this song is that by Eric Marianthal on his "Got You Covered" CD released in 2004.
Richard from Tustin, CaPaul is speaking to no one, specifically, in this song. He is talking to a fantasy lover whom he hopes he will eventually meet. "And when at last I find you, your song will fill the air..." One of my all-time favorite lines. A fantastic song, and definitely one of my favorite by Paul, along with 'Martha, My Dear'.
Freddy from Miami, FlJoe you can't be serious? The first fact says it was about Linda..
Joe from Milwaukee, WiThis wonderfull music and words were to God.
Elmer from Seattle, WaThis was my first favorite Beatles song when I heard it in 1968 as a 5 years old.
Chloe from St. Louis, Mois there anything nicer than paul's voice in this song? doubt it. i like that quote kat from tbilisi contributed by donovan- "if he'd fall on a piano, when he'd stand he would have written three songs." haha, so true.
Gilbert from Brownsville, TxThis song reminds me of my High School Sweatheart,my wife. I always will.
Julia from *, OhThis song is absolutely beautiful, one of my favorites. I didn't know till I read the facts about it here that it was the first of many songs he wrote for Linda. (Lucky, lucky woman!) And I was just thinking the other day that the only bass was his voice, and I turned out to be right I guess. It says that John and George didn't play on this, but did Ringo do anything on it or was it all Paul?
David from Youngstown, OhGreat, great song. My beef is this and Julia are so soft on the White Album that I have to turn up the volume to hear the two songs. The lyrics to both are beautiful so it's worth it.
Alana from Connellsville, PaI love this song so much, I actually just recently heard it for the first time. It's always stuck in my head. It's one of the most underrated Beatles songs in my opinion. Just beautiful.
Susan from Toronto, CanadaThe rock group Sugar Ray (most famous for their lead singer Mark McGrath) admitted they stole a line from I WILL when they wrote their first hit titled FLY. The first two lines in the first verse of FLY are: "All around the world statues crumble for me/Who knows how long I've loved you?" McGrath said they stole the line "Who knows how long I've loved you?" from I WILL.
Jessica from Tucson, AzI ;pve this so this is one of my favrite beatles songs
Allison from A Little Ol' Town In, MiI like how paul sings the bass part. The guitar is nice too
Jaguarfan102@yahoo.c from Jacksonville, , FlThis is probably my fav BEATLE song if it is possible to pick one. I remember so clear hearing it for the first time and knowing that it would be with me forever. I was only 12.
Engelbert from Manila, PhilippinesI really love this song, I dedicate this song to my one and only love, from meycauayan bulacan Philippines...
-Bulakan, Bulakan 4th, Philippines
Yunasa from South Pasadena, CaAh, we sang this for a school program.
Alanna from Bath, Englandthis song was Dave Grohl's (from the Foo Fighters)first dance at his wedding in August 2003
Mia from Tulsa, Oki sing my daughter to sleep every night with this song. a friend told me that on the day of my daughter's birth, i should have a song already picked out to sing to her. a song that would forever be "her song." i thought and thought about what i would sing to my child. at about 2 a.m. the morning she was born, the nurse placed this beautiful little person in my arms. "i will" just flowed out of me. perfect.
John from Manila, OtherThis is a song I sang over the (cell) phone to a very dear friend CHZC..
Kevin from Albany, OrSomeone on another Beatles song said this one was about 1984 (Winston and Julia). I don't agree, but I can see how it's easy to make the connection.
Stefanini from Jakarta, IndonesiaI love this song very much. The lyric is very touching. The first time I heard this song, I cried.
Brady from Orlando, FlEven though this was never released as a single, it was a huge hit in Orlando. It was consistently in the Top 5 on 95 (WLOF 95AM) when the album was released.
Meznu from Ft. Lauderdale, FlThis song was covered as a reggae-like number by "Rocky Horror" lead Tim Curry on his album "Read My Lips".
Dan from Indianapolis, InWhat a gorgeous song. Probably my favorite from the White Album. The lyrics are sappy, yes, but the I really like the melody and vocalized bass.
Kevin from Quebec, Canadajohn actually did play on this he played percussion george was the only one that did not play on this
Joe from Lethbridge, CanadaI think I read somewhere that Paul actually sang a lot of his basslines when he was trying to figure out how he would actually play them. This recording is a great example of that technique.
Jerry from Brooklyn, NyThere are so many Beatles' songs that are not as well known or given as much play as they deserve. This is surely one of them. It's sweetness sets it apart from most of the rest of the White Album -- one might even think it could have been an earlier work that did not make it into one of their first few albums. No matter. It just goes to show what a vast and diverse talent this group possessed.
Annabelle from Eugene, OrI absolutely looooove the version by Ben Taylor! Ben Taylor is one of those guys whose voice is sooooooo smooth. Ben Taylor's cover version melts my heart away, and he sounds so romantic. To me, Ben Taylor's voice reminds me of Livingston Taylor, James' Sweet Brother!
Julian from Anaheim, Cai really, really love this song! To me, this one of many under rated Beatle Songs off the White Album. This probably ranks in the Top 5 of Favorite Beatle songs for me. By the way He sang this in concert on the 05 tour and it sounded just like the Cd or record.
Mike from Newark, NdJust another simple and perfect love song. Does anybody do it better? Love this song...
Johnny from Los Angeles, CaThis was the first song to get stuck in my head after hearing the white album once through for the first time.
Kristina from Small Town, NeI love this song. Has there every been a person who wrote better love songs than Paul McCartney?
Matt from West Springfield, Mathis is one of my three favorite beatles songs, and, I believe, one of the greatest simple love songs ever written.
Lee from Clearwater, Flthree words, simple, innocent, pure.
Mauricio from Hanford, CaI love this song, so easy to remember and so smooth.
David from New City, NyPerfection in the form of a short pop song.
Jordan from Wimette, IlIt goes very well between 'Why Don't We Do It In the Road?' and 'Julia'.
Kat from Tbilisi, OtherI adore Beatles. This is amazing song with simple but beautiful lyrics. I Love Them. Paul McCartney was even better than John Lennon. Donovan once said if he'd fall on the piano, when he'd stand he would have written 3 songs :D
Nessie from Sapporo, JapanPeople rave about "Hey Jude," but "I Will" is a true pop jem with some fine guitar fills, enchanting harmonies and tight structure. Bravo!
John from Shelby, NvI have a book called Revolution:The makeing of the Beatles White Album and it tells exactly who played what. Paul recorded this one alone, two guitars, bass(sung) drums, and vocals. He did the same for Martha my dear, mother natures son, and why dont we do it in the road
Nicole from Apple Valley, MnThis is my favorite Beatles song, but I love them ALL! I first heard "I Will" at the end of the Paul Reiser movie "Bye Bye Love." The version in the film was by Ben Taylor (James Taylor's son). After hearing it I was excited to learn that it was a Beatles song! Alison Krauss also covers it on "Now That I've Found You: A Collection." I was disappointed to see that it was BARELY mentioned in the Beatles Anthology (coffee table book). Even though it wasn't popular doesn't mean it isn't GREAT. Thanks to Songfacts I've learned more about this fabulous tune!
Will from Roswell, GaI love how Paul sings the bass on this. Very kool indeed.
Crystal from Lebanon, OhI <3 this song. Paul did wonders acoustically.
Indira from Jakarta, IndonesiaI've got A Hard Day's Write and it says that the song was recorded with "Ringo playing on cymbal and maracas and John tapping the rhythm with a piece of wood"
Tita from Bandung, IndonesiaThe song was sung in the romantic movie starring Annete Benning and Warren Beaty, The Love Affair.

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