I'll Be Around

The Spinners

This is our fork in the road
Love's last episode
There's nowhere to go, oh no
You made your choice
Now it's up to me
To bow out gracefully
Though you hold the key, but baby

Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you want me, I'll be there
Whenever you need me, I'll be there
I'll be around

I knew just what to say
Now I found out today
That all the words had slipped away, but I know
There's always a chance
A tiny spark will remain, yeah
And sparks turn into flames
And love can burn once again, but I know you know

Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you want me, I'll be there
Whenever you need me, I'll be there
I'll be around, yeah

Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you want me, I'll be there
Even if I have to crawl, I'll be there
I'll be around

Just call me on the phone, I'll be there
I'll never leave you alone, I'll be there
Just call out my name, I know I know you know
I'll be around

I'll be skippin' and a-jumpin', I'll be there
I'll be a-rippin' and a-runnin', I'll be there
I'll be calling out your name to let you know
I'll be around


Lyrics submitted by stoolhardy

I'll Be Around Lyrics as written by Thom Randolph Bell Phil Hurtt

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

I'll Be Around song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment
    They split up much to his regret. He still loves her. It was her choice so he left gracefully. If she ever needs him he'll be there. Simple yet timeless
    convinceon August 04, 2009   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation
    this sounds to me like a guy who hasn't given up hoping he will be re-united with one he burns for, and is ready to be there for that person even as the fires have smoldered. It's about taking the high road, but also a little bit of that undying love feel to it. Whether our man's able to stomach taking a backseat for long would be in question, but he wants to be a part of her life in some respect. that's fine. I just hope our man doesn't get too passive aggressive, and be a nuisance to the lady. Too many of those phone calls could be a bad look. At it's heart this song is about caring for someone, and wanting to continue caring. It calls for maturity, and a respectful approach. I like it. I just don't personally like waiting around hoping for sparks to turn into flames. go find a new flame, and burn hot.
    rezurectionJoeon October 21, 2014   Link
  • +1
    My Opinion
    To me this is one of a handful of real timeless classics - a song where the music, lyrics, arrangement, musicianship and production just clicked well. Every time I hear it on the radio or tv the volume always get cranked up. I so identified with the song's lyrics many times years ago in my young adulthood. A lot of guys I'm sure could relate to it at least once in their life. But until recently I didn't realize the last couple lines of lyrics took it from being about a hurt, but gallant and noble guy who just got dumped pledging his love and support and his desire to reunite with the woman who dumped into kind of a creepy (IMO) stalker kind of guy. "Whenever you call me, I'll be there Whenever you want me, I'll be there EVEN IF I HAVE TO CALL, I'll be there I'll be around... Just call me on the phone, I'll be there I'll NEVER LEAVE YOU ALONE, I'll be there Just call out my name, I KNOW, I KNOW YOU KNOW I'll be around..... I'll be STANDIN' IN A COFFIN, I'll be there I'LL BE RIPPIN' IT UP, I'll be there I'LL BE CALLING OUT YOUR NAME TO LET YOU KNOW I'LL BE AROUND.....
    rallen1ston January 09, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I know all too well what this song means. One person wants to end the relationship, the other knows it is over and they can't do much about it. This song is so raw because while most people try to pretend to be strong and act like they won't just be at someones beck and call after they are broken up with, this guy is basically saying he will bow out gracefully and respect her wishes, but that he has hope that a "tiny spark remains" and that the romance could be re-ignited. He is showing that he is vulnerable, and even though she hurt him, he will come back to her, he will be there for her, he will come back, whenever she wants him. He is at her beck and call.
    realunicornon June 02, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    A troubled relationship. The woman's done all she can, now the man must act. He has his troubles, but there is definitely hope, and he'll always be there whenever his sweetheart really needs something (no joking, you know what I'm talking about).
    Ultimate Panopticonon October 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    It seems like this song is about a couple who has broken up, and the guy is "bowing out gracefully" (Harboring no hard feelings) yet reminding her that "he'll be there" is she ever needs support in the future.
    steamynachoson December 31, 2008   Link
  • 0
    Memory
    An all time classic. This song has so much meaning and emotion. My story with this song: I was dating a girl and had to move away once I graduated college. This is the first girl I ever loved. The first person who ever loved me. We made the distance work for a while by visiting each other. Recently, the communication was fading and the relationship was not as strong as it was and I realized it's time to let things go so she can go live her own life and not be burdened by trying to fulfill both of us from hundreds of miles apart. I ended things with her yesterday, but just because I did it on my own terms doesn't make it any easier. I still love her and want to see her one last time in person and let her know how much her love meant to me. After ending it I had so much more I wanted to say and thank her for. Instead, I just sent her this song. I hope she can understand.
    AmMajoron August 15, 2022   Link
  • 0
    Memory
    An all time classic. This song has so much meaning and emotion. My story with this song: I was dating a girl and had to move away once I graduated college. This is the first girl I ever loved. The first person who ever loved me. We made the distance work for a while by visiting each other. Recently, the communication was fading and the relationship was not as strong as it was and I realized it's time to let things go so she can go live her own life and not be burdened by trying to fulfill both of us from hundreds of miles apart. I ended things with her yesterday, but just because I did it on my own terms doesn't make it any easier. I still love her and want to see her one last time in person and let her know how much her love meant to me. After ending it I had so much more I wanted to say and thank her for. Instead, I just sent her this song. I hope she can understand.
    AmMajoron August 15, 2022   Link

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