100 DAYS OF THE BEATLES – TOP 100 SONGS – 59

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NUMBER 59: "I Want You (She's So Heavy" (Lennon – October 1, 1969) 
Abbey Road – Side 1, Track 6 (7:44) 

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"I Want You (She's So Heavy)" is a song by The Beatles, from their album Abbey Road. It was written by John Lennon, although credited to Lennon/McCartney.

This song is an unusual Beatles' composition for a variety of reasons, namely its length (nearly eight minutes), few lyrics (only 14 different words are sung), 3-minute descent through repeated guitar chords (a similar arpeggiated figure appears in "Because", as well as McCartney's "Oh! Darling"), and abrupt ending. It is one of the last songs that The Beatles mixed as a group, on 20 August 1969.

The song was rehearsed several times during the Get Back/Let It Be sessions; the basic track and John's guide vocal (which is used in the master) were recorded at Trident Studios on 22 February 1969, shortly after filming ended. John and George overdubbed multi-tracked heavy guitar overdubs on 18 April 1969, and Billy Preston overdubbed keyboards, and conga drums were also added on 20 April 1969. "I Want You" received the "She's So Heavy" vocals on 11 August, and thus the title became "I Want You (She's So Heavy)".

Three takes from 22 February were edited into a master (second generation), which was overdubbed, mixed down on 18 April (third generation), and overdubbed on 18 April, 20 April and 11 August. Different overdubs were made to the second generation tape on 8 August. The mix is the third generation for 4:37 (up to "She's So") and then the second generation tape, which has white noise and additional drums added on 8 August. The overdub session for "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" was the last time all four Beatles worked in the studio together.

The final master lasted 8:04, but John decided on a surprise ending. During the final edit with the guitars, drums, and white noise climaxing to no end, he told Emerick to "cut it right there" at the 7:44 mark, bringing the song (and Side One of the album) to an abrupt end. On Love, the 3-minute stretch of repeated guitar chords that ends the song intercuts with elements of "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" and "Helter Skelter", while retaining the abrupt cut to silence at the end.