I Wanted to Tell Her

"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".^[3]

"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
Studio	Syncro Sound, Boston
Genre	New wave synth-funk[1]
Length	5:29
Label	Arista, BMG
Songwriter(s)	Alain Jourgensen, Shay Jones[2]
Producer(s)	Vince Ely, Ian Taylor
Ministry singles chronology
"Work for Love" (1983) "I Wanted to Tell Her" (1983) "Revenge" (1983)
Audio
"I Wanted to Tell Her" by Ministry on YouTube

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.^[2]

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.^[4]

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.^[5]

Charts

Chart (1983)	Peak position
New Zealand (RMNZ)[6]	35
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[7]	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