I Wanted to Tell Her

"I Wanted to Tell Her" is a single by American band Ministry. The song was released as the second single from its debut album, With Sympathy. The song features guest vocals from American singer Shay Jones.

"I Wanted to Tell Her"
Single by Ministry and Shay Jones
from the album With Sympathy
B-side	"I Wanted to Tell Her" (remix)
Released	April 1983
Recorded	Late 1982 at Syncro Sound Studios, Boston
Genre	New wave
Length	5:29
Label	Arista, BMG
Songwriter(s)	Alain Jourgensen, Shay Jones[1]
Producer(s)	Vince Ely, Ian Taylor
Ministry singles chronology
"Work for Love" (1983) "I Wanted to Tell Her" (1983) "Revenge" (1983)

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.[1]

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!.[3]

Charts

Song (1983)	US Dance [4]	NZ [5]
"I Wanted to Tell Her"	13	35

Personnel

Ministry

• Alain 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

References

1. Carlson, Dean. "With Sympathy - Ministry | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards, | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
2. "Ministry - Singles Page". Prongs.org. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
3. Grisham, Tyler (November 11, 2011). "Holy Ghost!: "I Wanted to Tell Her (Ministry Cover)" [ft. Nancy Whang and the Juan MacLean]". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
4. "Ministry - Charts & Awards - Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05.
5. "Ministry - I Wanted To Tell Her". charts.nz. Retrieved May 12, 2014.