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Bill Withers — Lean on Me
Album: Best of
Avg rating:
8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1895









Released: 1972
Length: 4:15
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I don't want to work
I want to bang on the drum all day
I don't want to play
I just want to bang on the drum all day
Ever since I was a tiny boy
I don't want no candy, I don't need no toy
I took a stick and an old coffee can
I bang on that thing 'til I got blisters on my hand
Because
I don't want to work
I want to bang on the drum all day (yes, I do)
I don't want to play
I just want to bang on the drum all day (that's right)
When I get older they think I'm a fool
The teacher told me I should stay after school
She caught me pounding on the desk with my hands
But my licks was so hot
I made the teacher wanna dance
And that's why
I don't want to work
I want to bang on the drum all day (hey, why not?)
I don't want to play
I just want to bang on the drum all day
I don't want to work
I want to bang on the drum all day
I don't want to play
I just want to bang on the drum all day (listen to this)
Every day when I get home from work
I feel so frustrated, the boss is a jerk
And I get my sticks and go out to the shed
And I pound on that drum like it was the boss's head, because I...
I don't want to work
I want to bang on the drum all day (hey, hey)
I don't want to play
I just want to bang on the drum all day (I can bang that drum)
I don't want to work
I want to bang on the drum all day
I don't want to play
I just want to bang on the drum all day
I don't want to work
I want to bang on the drum all day (hey, you wanna take a bang at it?)
I don't want to play
I just want to bang on the drum all day
I don't want to work
I want to bang on the drum all day
I don't want to play
I just want to bang on the drum all day (I can do this all day)
I don't want to work
I want to bang on the drum all day
And who by fire, who by water,
Who in the sunshine, who in the night time,
Who by high ordeal, who by common trial,
Who in your merry merry month of may,
Who by very slow decay,
And who shall I say is calling?
And who in her lonely slip, who by barbiturate,
Who in these realms of love, who by something blunt,
And who by avalanche, who by powder,
Who for his greed, who for his hunger,
And who shall I say is calling?
And who by brave assent, who by accident,
Who in solitude, who in this mirror,
Who by his lady's command, who by his own hand,
Who in mortal chains, who in power,
And who shall I say is calling?
Summer's gone, winter's in your eyes
I can feel the thunderstorms inside
I wake every morning, and the cold winds cover me
All I've got's a ghost of what could be
If you can see, the lights shine in front of me
If you can see the lights, shout out where you'll be
I'm in a broken dream, I stare out into space
You know, I called you up 'cause nothing takes your place
I've got a heart of stone, and it's sinking deep inside
I want to tell you, love, I'm too proud to cry
If you can see, the lights shine in front of me
If you can see the lights, shout out where you'll be
Summer's gone, and I can't tell you lies
Oh, forgive me, love, I'm too proud to cry
If you can see, the lights shine in front of me
If you can see the lights, shout out where you'll be
Summer's gone, and I can't tell you lies
Forgive me, love, I'm too proud to cry
Too proud to cry
Too proud to cry
Too proud to cry
Oh Lord, won't you listen in to me now?
Oh love, I got to get me back to you somehow
I never knew that life was loaded
I'd only hung around birds and bees
I never knew that things exploded
I only found it out when I was down upon my knees
Looking for my life
Looking for my life
Oh boy, you've no idea what I've been through
Oh Lord, I feel so stuck that I can't get to you
Had no idea that I was heading toward a state of emergency
I had no fear where I was treading
I only found it out when I was down upon my knees
Looking for my life
Caught up on me with intensity
Had no idea where I was heading
I only found it out when I was down upon my knees
Looking for my life
Looking for my life
Oh boys, you don't have idea where I've been through
Oh Lord, I got to get back somehow to you
I never knew that life was loaded
I'd only hung around birds and bees
I never knew that things exploded
I only found it out when I was down upon my knees
Looking for my life
I never got any G.C.E.s
I never knew that things exploded
I only found it out when I was down upon my knees
Looking for my life
Looking for my life
Looking for my life
Looking for my life
Sounds like a signal from you
Bring me to meet your sound
And I will bring you to my heart
Love like a signal you call
Touching my body my soul
Bring to me, you to meet me here
Home be the temple of your heart
Home be the body of your love
Just like Holy water to my lips
Yes I do know how I survive
Yes I do know why I'm alive
To love and be with you
Day by day by day by day
Time, time again, it is said
We will hear, we will see
See it all-in his wisdom-hear
His truth will abound the land
This truth will abound the land
This State of independence shall be
This State of independence shall be
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
Love like a signal you call
Touching my body my soul
Bring to me, you to meet me here
Home be the temple of your heart
Home be the body of your love
Just like Holy water to my lips
Hey
Yes I do know how I survive
Yes I do know why I'm alive
To love and be with you
Day by day by day by day
Time, time again, it is said
We will hear, we will see
See it all-in his wisdom-hear
His truth will abound the land
This truth will abound the land
This State of independence shall be
This State of independence shall be
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
This State of independence shall be
His truth will abound the land
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
Don't care where you come from
As long as you're a black man, you're an African
No mind your nationality
You have got the identity of an African
'Cause if you come from Clarendon (you are an African)
And if you come from Portland (you are an African)
And if you come from Westmoreland, you're an African
So, don't care where you come from
As long as you're a black man, you're an African
No mind your nationality
You have got the identity of an African
'Cause if you come from Trinidad (you are an African)
And if you come from Nassau (you are an African)
And if you come from Cuba, you're an African
So, don't care where you come from
As long as you're a black man, you're an African
No mind your complexion
There is no rejection
You're an African
'Cause if your 'plexion high, high, high
If your 'plexion low, low
And if your 'plexion in between, you're an African
So, don't care where you come from
As long as you're a black man
You're an African
No mind denomination
That is only segregation
You're an African
'Cause if you go to the Catholic (you are an African)
And if you go to the Methodist (you are an African)
And if you go to the Church of gods, you are an African
So, don't care where you come from
As long as you're a black man, you're an African
No mind your nationality
You have got the identity of an African
'Cause if you come from Brixton (you are an African)
And if you come from Weesday (you are an African)
And if you come from Wingstead (you are an African)
And if you come from France (you are an African)
And if you come from Brooklyn (you are an African)
And if you come from Queens (you are an African)
And if you come from Manhattan (you are an African)
And if you come from Canada (you are an African)
And if you come from Miami (you are an African)
And if you come from Switzerland (you are an African)
And if you come from Germany (you are an African)
And if you come from Russia (you are an African)
And if you come from Taiwan (you are an African)
And if you come from-
Goin' to California
To live in the summer sun
The streets are made of silver
I'm like a rabbit on the run
Philadelphia freedom
Well, it's not like you have heard
The City of Brotherly Love
Is full of pain and hurt
I'm goin' to California
To find my pot of gold
Corruption on every corner
Hustlers selling sweets
Baby is home crying
While her momma's on the streets
Everybody's dying
Have you heard the news today?
A woman in north Philly is mourning
The bullet took another son away
I'm goin' to California
I'm goin' far, far away
Goin' to California, yes
To resurrect my soul
The sun is always shining
Or at least that's what I'm told
Goin' to California
There's a better life for me
Goin' to California
I'll write and tell you what I see
Goin' to California
Somebody say a prayer for me
Well, it's 3 a.m., I'm out here riding again
Through the wicked, winding streets of my world
I make a wrong turn, break it
Now I'm too far gone
I've got a siren on my tail and that ain't the fine I'm lookin' for
I see a stairway so I follow it down
Into the belly of a whale where my secrets echo all around
You know me now, but to do better than that
You got to follow me
Boy, I'm trying to show you where I'm at
Hey pretty, don't you wanna take a ride with me
Through my world?
Hey pretty, don't you wanna kick and slide
Through my world?
I got a mind full of wicked designs
I got a non-stop hole in my head, imagination
I'm in a building that has 2000 floors
And when they all fall down
I think you know it's you they're fallin for
I can't forget I am my sole architect
I built the shadows here
I built the growlin' voice I fear
You add it up, but to do better than that
You got to follow me
Boy, I'm trying to show you where I'm at
Hey pretty, don't you wanna take a ride with me
Through my world?
Hey pretty, don't you wanna kick and slide
Through my world?
Hey pretty, my pretty baby
Rock it through my world
Hey pretty, my pretty baby
Rock it through my world
Hey now, can't you feel me longing?
(Do-do-do-do you get the gist of this song now?)
Hey now, can't you feel me?
(Feel me now)
Hey pretty, hey pretty, hey pretty baby
Don't you wanna take a ride with me?
Don't you wanna take a ride with me?
(My baby)
Don't you wanna take a ride with me?
(My baby)
My pretty baby
(Don't you wanna)
Rock it through my world
Don't you wanna take a ride with me?
(My baby)
Don't you wanna?
My baby
Don't you wanna take a ride with me?
(Do you get the gist of this song now?)
(Do you get the gist of this song now?)
My pretty baby
Woah, my love, my darling
I've hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me
Lonely rivers flow
To the sea, to the sea
To the open arms of the sea, yeah
Lonely rivers sigh
"Wait for me, wait for me"
I'll be coming home, wait for me
Woah, my love, my darling
I've hungered, hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me
Hmm... hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm
Hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm
Hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm
Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Lean on me
When you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on...
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill
Those of your needs that you won't let show
You just call on me brother when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Lean on me
When you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on...
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
You just call on me brother
When you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me
Call me
If you need a friend
(Call me)
Call me (call me)
If you need a friend
(Call me)
If you ever need a friend
(Call me)
Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me)
If you need a friend
(Call me)
Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me)
Comments (60)add comment
There are times my friends when we really do need someone to lean on and may there always be that someone.
Posted 10 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
I bought my 1959 Selmer tenor sax (still made in Paris) with a college student loan (when you could still do it),  because I heard his "Just the Two of Us" song, with the tenor part being played by Grover Washington Jr.
Posted 1 year ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Back when R&B was about smooth jazz sounds, vocal harmonies, and love.  WTF happened to that genre?  It's like it went completely off the rails about 20-30 years ago and started going into some really awful places.
Posted 1 year ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 ch83575 wrote:

My mom sent me to piano lessons when I was a child.  To this day, this is the only thing I can play on the piano... and poorly at that.  Sorry Mom...


  For me it was Good King Wenceslas. 
Posted 1 year ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 NickDanger wrote:

Spring of '72 and this song was in rotation on AM. Still an excellent song.
Damn. That was 46 years ago. Damn. 



Now it is almost 51 years ago..... time flies
Posted 1 year ago by nu11    [ Reply ]
 kazoo wrote:

Has anybody ever seen a photo of Withers where he is not smiling? It strikes me that he was a happy person.




Damn Happy!!!! Totally!!!!
Posted 1 year ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
I can not understand why there are so few Bill Withers songs on RP!? 
Posted 2 years ago by david16    [ Reply ]
50 years later and this song still resonates, maybe even more so today
Posted 2 years ago by Johnny-smooth    [ Reply ]
Any other choir nerds fight the urge to shout "five" in the pause between "for" and "it won't be long" or was that just a local thing? 
Posted 2 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Has anybody ever seen a photo of Withers where he is not smiling? It strikes me that he was a happy person.
Posted 3 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
We’ll never know how many people were rescued by this song
Posted 3 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
Universal.  Human.
Posted 3 years ago by aonley    [ Reply ]
We need so much of that right now.

 hayduke2 wrote:
each and every time I hear Bill Withers start this song I'm spiritually onboard its timeless and subtle power

it contains love 
 

Posted 3 years ago by laramieu    [ Reply ]
I don't know if there's a God or not, but Bill Withers gave us a glimpse of something special.
c.
Posted 3 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 punkermal wrote:
Good song but played to death. Played so much that it now just reminds me of black and white tv.
 
Fair, but black and white TV isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'll give you Dobie Gillis and My Three Sons being dumb and bad, but Bewitched and I Love Lucy were cornerstones. Just like this song is a cornerstone, even though it's about as cliché as Bewitched at this point.
Posted 4 years ago by acolt    [ Reply ]
So simple.  So good.
Posted 4 years ago by Greenman    [ Reply ]
These go to 11.
Posted 4 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
RIP, Mr. Withers.
Posted 4 years ago by Ipse_Dixit    [ Reply ]
That vibrato...
Posted 5 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
Spring of '72 and this song was in rotation on AM. Still an excellent song.
Damn. That was 46 years ago. Damn. 
Posted 6 years ago by NickDanger    [ Reply ]
My mom sent me to piano lessons when I was a child.  To this day, this is the only thing I can play on the piano... and poorly at that.  Sorry Mom...
Posted 7 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
sublime
Posted 7 years ago by Shotoverplain    [ Reply ]
Good song but played to death. Played so much that it now just reminds me of black and white tv.
Posted 7 years ago by punkermal    [ Reply ]
Somehow, I had only ever heard the Club Nouveau version before.
Posted 7 years ago by DocGuy    [ Reply ]
each and every time I hear Bill Withers start this song I'm spiritually onboard its timeless and subtle power

it contains love 
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
lovely and classic and a song about how to live a good and fruitful life, as opposed to songs examining the life mistakes we make that wither (no pun intended) the fruit. 

 
Preach on mate.
Posted 8 years ago by izycrzy    [ Reply ]
Anything by Bill Withers is automatically > 8! 
Posted 8 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
A song you can identify from the first chord.  To me this song always started out ponderous, picked up a bit in the subsequent verses and had a great chorus.
Posted 8 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
Was watching the movie Lean on Me last night... and waiting to hear the song (but didn't - probably because I didn't finish the movie).

So happy to hear it now!  Thanks! 
Posted 8 years ago by gratefulgator    [ Reply ]
Just flawless. Sublime. Warms my soul with every listen. 
Posted 9 years ago by Padutarb    [ Reply ]
lovely and classic and a song about how to live a good and fruitful life, as opposed to songs examining the life mistakes we make that wither (no pun intended) the fruit. 
Posted 9 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 calle01 wrote:
 I really hate this artist! HATE is a strong word but doesn't seem to stop Bill from playing crap?

 
Poor you!
Well, after noticing that 65% of your votes are "1 Sucko-barfo", I'm not that surprised anymore.
I think it's high time you went and got to listen to other radios.
Hope you like commercials, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, .... I guess you do.
Posted 10 years ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
I started as a dj when I was 15. We used to play local schools and parties and there was always a smootchy section for a bit of slow dancing. . . which was basically the opportunity for blokes to grope girls if they were brave enough to ask a girl for a dance. The girls would usually dance together is not asked for a dance (is that still how it works? I can't say I have been to many discos lately).

Anyway. . . I used to play this track a lot then, so it brings back a whole host of memories of good times both behind and in front of the decks. 

That is all :) 
Posted 10 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
Used to hate it, but now think it's one of the best things ever.

Same as 'lovely day'. Really played to death and cheesy, but somehow, it still sounds good.
Posted 10 years ago by richlister    [ Reply ]
However its a well worn groove. Ill bet this artist had other good tracks. 
Posted 10 years ago by kz1300a1    [ Reply ]
the tears are streaming down my cheeks, and I love evrything about this magnificent piece of music!  Joy
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Really is a great song. But I really hate it. Can't listen to it anymore, too many terrible associations.
Posted 11 years ago by milleronic    [ Reply ]
I am with you Bill.
I never seem to tire of this song either & have heard it many many times.
A classic.
Posted 11 years ago by number7    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  The original is the best - all other versions of this song just leave me cold, but I'll happily listen to this one. Thanks, RP.
 

We miss you so much, Cynaera...

love this classic song...
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Every now and again, hearing this song reminds me of that anti-drug film "Dead Is Dead" we were forced to watch back in junior high.  Must have been about 1982-83 — 30 years later, can't believe I can still recall!  It was pretty intense, especially the scene of a woman puking while "Lean on Me" played....  I guess I am not the only one with memories of it, there's a forum here posted in Aug 2011 and here.  I am surprised to see it is only 21 minutes long — makes quite an impact.
Posted 12 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
Smile
 
I might not answer, however

Posted 12 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}

Greetings from London.

www.cubaninlondon.blogspot.com

Posted 12 years ago by cubaninlondon    [ Reply ]
Yes! You just call on me....we all need somebody to lean on. Amen.
Posted 12 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  The original is the best - all other versions of this song just leave me cold, but I'll happily listen to this one. Thanks, RP.
  There is no other voice like Bill's. Perfect.


Posted 13 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  The original is the best - all other versions of this song just leave me cold, but I'll happily listen to this one. Thanks, RP.
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 scraig wrote:
The most overplayed funeral song...ever.
 
ha
probably true... 

Or on a mix CD titled "songs to drink to"
Posted 13 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
So thankful this is the real Bill Withers version, and not the Club Nouveau version that bedeviled every one of my high school dances.
Posted 13 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
...this is nice to hear in the mix...
Posted 13 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
{#Meditate}
Posted 13 years ago by SuzG    [ Reply ]

The Great Bill Withers! Reminds me of simpler times, growing up in the 70s. Sweet.


Posted 13 years ago by katiediddler    [ Reply ]
The most overplayed funeral song...ever.
Posted 13 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
Classic music, classic lyrics, classic message.
Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
slurpy wrote:
Withers is a classic. Any chance of hearing "Ain't No Sunshine" which is even better. Thanks.
AMEN to that! "Ain't No Sunshine" is on here, so I'd ask people to request it, if they want to hear it.
Posted 16 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
:nodhead: A little soul shouldn't hurt anyone.
Posted 20 years ago by rgj13    [ Reply ]
Platypus wrote:
:-&
Posted 21 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Posted 21 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
If you need a friend ;)
Posted 21 years ago by BQHsMom    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by slurpy: Withers is a classic. Any chance of hearing "Ain't No Sunshine" which is even better. Thanks.
Agreed!
Posted 21 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]