The song that John Lennon correlated to reaching for Yoko Ono in a state of drowning is turning 50, along with the rest of the songs on The Beatles’ Abbey Road. “I Want You” (She’s So Heavy)” is often considered a precursor to metal and prog rock. But “I Want You” has a funky origin that betrays its uncredited black collaborator’s contributions. For the past 50 years, subsequent black artists have covered the song, often picking up on the clues Billy Preston left behind.
Katie Kapurch 