The more we know about an artist’s personal life, the more it can narrow our views of their songwriting. Too often, we assume the meaning of a particular track, without giving the credit for the imagination of the writer to create something outside their immediate personal experience.
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That’s what happened, according to Paul McCartney, with The Beatles’ song “I Will,” which was released on The White Album in 1968. Although it’s a love song and McCartney was still in a relationship with actress Jane Asher at the time, he insisted afterward that he had no one in particular in mind when writing it.
Where There’s a “Will”
“I Will” represents the oft-unorthodox manner of approaching songs that was emblematic of The White Album. Instead of The Beatles taking their specific instruments, they switched things up. McCartney plays acoustic guitar and sings, while vocalizing the bass part. Ringo Starr played bongos and maracas, while John Lennon added extra percussion on wood blocks. George Harrison wasn’t at the session that produced the song.
McCartney had the melody for “I Will” for quite some time and was pleased with it, but he couldn’t quite get the words. He even tried collaborating with the star British singer/songwriter Donovan while they were both on retreat in India in 1968. In the end, he didn’t think what they did suited what he was seeking.
Eventually, he arrived at the lyrics for “I Will” as they would be recorded on his own. But even though the song takes a deeply devotional look at love, McCartney explained in his book The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present he wasn’t necessarily rhapsodizing about Asher, his girlfriend at the time:
“Just because I was involved with Jane at the time doesn’t mean this song is addressed to, or about, Jane. 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.’”
Behind the Lyrics to “I Will”
Based on the quote above, it seems like “I Will” was a logical extension of many of the songs The Beatles wrote in their early years, songs which were intended to thrill their female audience by seeming to directly address them. Think of titles like “Thank You Girl” and “From Me to You” and you’ll know what we mean.
“I Will” takes that relationship to a deeper level. McCartney suggests it’s something that is almost mystically eternal: Who knows how long I’ve loved you? And he also implies that this connection is important enough that he’ll forego all others for it: Will I wait a lonely lifetime? / If you want me to, I will.
Nor does it concern him if the unidentified person he’s addressing is directly in his life. Even if she remains unseen or unnamed, his fidelity is unchanged: But it never really matters / I will always feel the same.
After a middle eight that further displays his loyalty, the final verse anticipates an eventual meeting, one, fittingly, that comes festooned in music: And when at last, I find you / Your song will fill the air. McCartney wraps it up by asking her to reach out to him in the end: Sing it loud so I can hear you / Make it easy to be near you / For the things you do endear me to you / Oh, you know, I will.
There are several songs Paul McCartney definitely wrote with Jane Asher in his mind and heart during his time with The Beatles, from the lovestruck (“Here, There and Everywhere”) to the frustrated (“I’m Looking Through You”). “I Will” doesn’t belong in that category, as it’s a love song to no one in particular and everyone all at once.
Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
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