I Wanted to Tell Her explained

I Wanted to Tell Her
Cover:	I_Wanted_to_Tell_Her.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Ministry and Shay Jones
Album:	With Sympathy
B-Side:	"I Wanted to Tell Her" (remix)
Released:	April 1983
Recorded:	Late 1982
Studio:	Syncro Sound, Boston
Genre:	New wave
Length:	5:29
Label:	Arista, BMG
Producer:	Vince Ely, Ian Taylor
Chronology:	Ministry
Prev Title:	Work for Love
Prev Year:	1983
Next Title:	Revenge
Next Year:	1983

"I Wanted to Tell Her" is a single by American industrial band Ministry. Written by frontman Al Jourgensen and guest singer Shay Jones, and co-produced by Vince Ely and Ian Taylor, it was released as the second single from Ministry's debut studio album, With Sympathy (1983). Previously, the song first appeared as "Primental", an instrumental released in 1981 as part of Ministry's debut single, "I'm Falling / Cold Life".^[1]

Reception

"I Wanted to Tell Her" is one of the most popular songs from With Sympathy, charting on both the US Dance and NZ charts. The song was picked as an AllMusic reviewer's pick.

Track listing

7" Vinyl (US)

1. "I Wanted to Tell Her" (edit)  - 3:55
2. "A Walk In the Park"  - 4:58

7" Vinyl (US promo)

1. "I Wanted to Tell Her" (edit)  - 3:55
2. "I Wanted to Tell Her" (mono)  - 3:55

12" Maxi-single (US)

1. "I Wanted to Tell Her" (remix)  - 6:57
2. "I Wanted to Tell Her" (dub)  - 4:45
3. "Effigy"  - 3:51
4. "Revenge"  - 3:48

7" Vinyl (UK)

1. "I Wanted to Tell Her" (remix edit)  - 3:57
2. "I Wanted to Tell Her" (Tongue-Tied remix)  - 4:45

12" Vinyl (EU)

1. "I Wanted to Tell Her" (remix)  - 6:57
2. "I Wanted to Tell Her" (Tongue-Tied remix)  - 4:45

12" Maxi-single (EU)

1. "I Wanted to Tell Her" (remix)  - 6:57
2. "I Wanted to Tell Her" (Tongue-Tied remix)  - 4:45
3. "A Walk In the Park"  - 4:58

NOTE: 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.^[2]

Covers

The song was covered in 2011 by electronic duo Holy Ghost!, with support from The Juan MacLean and female vocals handled by Nancy Whang.^[3]

Charts

Chart (1983)	Peak position
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[4]	35
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)^[5]	13

Personnel

Ministry

• Al Jourgensen  - vocals, guitar, keyboards
• Stephen George  - drums

Additional personnel

• Robert Roberts  - keyboards
• Shay Jones  - feature vocals
• John Davis  - keyboards
• Walter Turbitt  - guitar
• Martin Sorenson  - bass guitar

Notes and References

1. Book: Robbins, Ira . The Trouser Press Record Guide . Collier Books . 1991 . 0-02-036361-3 . Robbins . Ira . 4th . New York . 429 . Ministry . 91-18564 . 298055609 . https://archive.org/details/trouserpressreco0000unse/page/429/mode/1up . registration . the Internet Archive.
2. Web site: Prongs.org. Ministry - Singles Page. May 12, 2014.
3. Web site: Pitchfork Media. Grisham. Tyler. Holy Ghost!: "I Wanted to Tell Her (Ministry Cover)" [ft. Nancy Whang and the Juan MacLean]]. https://web.archive.org/web/20111112042551/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12763-i-wanted-to-tell-her-ministry-cover-ft-nancy-whang-and-the-juan-maclean/. November 12, 2011. November 11, 2011. May 12, 2014.
4. Web site: Ministry - I Wanted To Tell Her. charts.nz. May 12, 2014.
5. Web site: Ministry - Charts & Awards - Billboard Singles. Allmusic. 2016-03-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305085110/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ministry-mn0000420133/awards.