“Lean On Me” hit #1 for Bill Withers, With a Message We Could All Take to Heart

Bill Withers: a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, and the voice behind the smash hit, “Lean on Me”. The single comes from his second album, Still Bill, and was first released in April of 1972. The song rose to the top of the charts, hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The run began on July 8th, 1972, and lasted a total of 3 weeks. It also reached #1 on Soul Singles, lasting one week. The single gained incredible popularity, selling over 3 million copies. “Lean on Me” gained international fame as well, reaching #18 on the UK Singles Chart, and #20 on the Canada Top Singles.

Listeners everywhere have connected to Withers’ lyrics, as he speaks about helping one another and persevering through our struggles. We all need somebody to lean on, and Bill Withers reminds us that together, we can overcome any challenges we may face.

Bill Withers wrote this song after he moved all the way from from West Virginia to California. The atmosphere in LA was completely different from his hometown, Slab Fork, and he missed the strong sense of community he had back home.  

What you may not know about Bill Withers is that he actually wrote “Lean On Me” when he was in his 30’s. Before joining the music industry, he served in the Navy for several years, and then moved on to working in a factory. He used his paychecks from work to fund his music demos, although he he was unsure whether or not his music career would ever pan out. And now, we look back at the amazing accomplishments he has done for the music world.

 

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

‘Til I’m gonna need

Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride

If I have faith 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

‘Til 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 uh huh(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)

Lyrics by