After releasing their very first release/12" I'm Faling/ Cold Life on Wax Trax! Records in 1981, Ministry was picked up by Arista and a number of singles were issued to promote the upcoming debut album With Sympathy. One of those singles is 'I Wanted To Tell Her', and it was released as the second and preliminary single. The song features guest vocals from American singer Shay Jones. "I Wanted to Tell Her" became one of the most popular songs from With Sympathy, charting on both the US Dance and New Zealand charts.
It was released 40 years ago, in July 1983 as both 7" and 12"
7" Vinyl (US)
"I Wanted to Tell Her" (edit) – 3:55
"A Walk In the Park" – 4:58
7" Vinyl (US promo)
"I Wanted to Tell Her" (edit) – 3:55
"I Wanted to Tell Her" (mono) – 3:55
12" Maxi-single (US)
"I Wanted to Tell Her" (remix) – 6:57
"I Wanted to Tell Her" (dub) – 4:45
"Effigy" – 3:51
"Revenge" – 3:48
7" Vinyl (UK)
"I Wanted to Tell Her" (remix edit) – 3:57
"I Wanted to Tell Her" (Tongue-Tied remix) – 4:45
12" Vinyl (EU)
"I Wanted to Tell Her" (remix) – 6:57
"I Wanted to Tell Her" (Tongue-Tied remix) – 4:45
12" Maxi-single (EU)
"I Wanted to Tell Her" (remix) – 6:57
"I Wanted to Tell Her" (Tongue-Tied remix) – 4:45
"A Walk In the Park" – 4:58
Although not listed as such on the sleeves, all 12" versions (as well as the UK 7") use an alternate performance of the song that differs from the one on With Sympathy. The Tongue-Tied Mix and Dub version are the same.
I Wanted To Tell Her - Lyrics
I wanted to tell her but I stuck to my lies
I wanted to tell her till I looked in her eyes
I wanted to tell her but I stuck to my lies
I wanted to tell her till I looked in her eyes
I wanted to tell her
I needed to tell her
Just like the wind you blew away your happy lover's touch
You bring the blues into my heart just like a rush
I cannot bear the way my heart has helped to keep you close
Of you my babe I cannot get enough you touch me baby
I loved you to the lines of lies you told when I asked her name
I knew the perfume in your hair just wasn't mine
Did you ever think to notice me when you wasn't home?
I noticed every time
I wanted to tell her but I stuck to my lies
I wanted to tell her till I looked in her eyes
I wanted to tell her but I stuck to my lies
I wanted to tell her till I looked in her eyes
Thought you noticed every time but you didn't notice a thing
I'd have to cover up my calls when the telephone would ring
I'm tired of you and the things you do and all the things you say
No more babysitting for neurotic girls today
I'm thinking that the pain I'm going through just to keep you babe
Is something that I should bear
Did you ever stop to notice me when you had nothing?
And I never cared?
Just like the wind you blew away your happy lover's touch
You bring the blues into my life just like a rush
I cannot bear the way my heart has helped to keep you close
Of you my babe I cannot get enough
You touch me baby, don't be mean to me!
I wanted to tell her but I stuck to my lies
I wanted to tell her till I looked in her eyes
I wanted to tell her but I stuck to my lies
I wanted to tell her till I looked in her eyes
I wanted to tell her but I stuck to my lies
I wanted to tell her till I looked in her eyes
I wanted to tell her
I needed to tell her
Songwriters: Al Jourgensen / Shay Jones
