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The Spinners — I'll Be Around
Album: The Very Best of the Spinners
Avg rating:
7.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1025









Released: 1972
Length: 3:06
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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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 your name, I know I know you know
I'll be around

I'll be standing in a coffin, I'll be there
I'll be a-rippin' it up, I'll be there
I'll be calling out your name to let you know
I'll be around
Comments (104)add comment
GREAT!   Thanx RP   
Posted 4 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
We know them as The Detroit Spinners here in the UK
Posted 7 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

More Spinners would be great!  I've always been partial to Rubberband Man. And this track too!
Long Live RP!  
+ 1 to 10
I love hearing this in the 'Main Mix', I'm also reminded that Rappin' 4-Tay used this sample in "Player's Club" way back in the late 90s. Long Live RP and hearing songs later sampled by rappers and hip-hop artists!!

Posted 1 year ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
The perfect song to put a spring in one's step.   Thanks RP.
Posted 1 year ago by Jayesea    [ Reply ]
spinners 

ojays

isley brothers 


can never keep them straight

 
Posted 1 year ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
I remember hearing this on rainy summer afternoons on AFN radio in Germany in 1975.  So long ago.  :(
Posted 1 year ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
What happened to music like the Spinners' music?
Posted 1 year ago by saamusic    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by lbmoretti    [ Reply ]
So smooth, and memories of teenaged years in rural SC.
Posted 4 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 justin4kick wrote:
There is not so much soul music on RP but what IS in the playlist is absolutely marvelous.  
 
I don't know if this is a Gamble-Huff song but I'd love to hear more Philly soul here.
Posted 4 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
 Ginetta wrote:
Much more beautyful than Santanas version.. even I like that one too. {#Dance}

Is there really a Santana's version? I know "I'll be waiting" but not the one you mention. A link would be much appreciated.

Posted 4 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
There is not so much soul music on RP but what IS in the playlist is absolutely marvelous.  
Posted 4 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
Love!
Posted 4 years ago by onerb    [ Reply ]
Summer in the 70s. 
Posted 5 years ago by annds    [ Reply ]
Smooooth.
Posted 5 years ago by exjunkie    [ Reply ]
Different but fabulous Bill...{#Bananajam}
Posted 5 years ago by Bert7    [ Reply ]
Timeless classic. I did not appreciate this song in the 70's ... love it now :) thanks RP for reintroducing it
Posted 5 years ago by pontfarrer    [ Reply ]
What a way to start the day. Brings a smile as we wait for the first snowflakes later today.
Posted 5 years ago by Ropes    [ Reply ]
You can't listen to this and *not* bounce to the beat.
Posted 5 years ago by Laurelai    [ Reply ]
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/The_Spinners_%281965%29.png/250px-The_Spinners_%281965%29.png
Posted 5 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
pure magic. 
Posted 5 years ago by clwguy    [ Reply ]
Timeless. So good to hear this.
Posted 5 years ago by robertomiller    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
Sitting here on a cold November night, but this song makes it a warm, summer day.  Love the Spinners, and this song holds a special place in my heart.  Thanks to whoever uploaded it, and of course, to Bill and Rebecca for playing it.  Happy now....... {#Bounce}

  

Super Soul  {#Hearteyes}
Posted 6 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Great song.  Fantastic.  What happened ?
Posted 6 years ago by vinylbob    [ Reply ]
Easy 10.  Thanks RP!
Posted 6 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
In the 80's I put this song on my telephone answering machine—outgoing message.  True.
I don't know how many people got it, though ;)
Posted 6 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
 robertomiller wrote:
Magic

 
That's what it is. Pure magic.
Posted 6 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
 (former member) wrote:
LOVE LOVE LOVE the Spinners.

MORE

 
More Spinners would be great!  I've always been partial to Rubberband Man. And this track too!
Long Live RP!  
Posted 6 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
We took this sort of thing for granted back then. Little did we realize how blessed we were. We could never have imagined that one day R&B would no longer exist
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
{#Bananasplit}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 7 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana} Dancing with my dog, listening to this song as a youngster on AM radio back in the 70's. 
Posted 7 years ago by bm.deavenport613    [ Reply ]
Uplifting everlasting Groover. 👍🏻
Posted 7 years ago by saellig668552    [ Reply ]
so love hearing this beautiful song this gorgeous day   : )  pure joy
Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Cover by: "The Gramophone Allstars"


The Gramophone Allstars - I'll Be Around (https://youtu.be/8uHqyrbKCz4)
Posted 8 years ago by Leninux    [ Reply ]
at the time of this song The Spinners were a good stepping stone from Motown to the Philly Sound
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
Superb
Posted 8 years ago by ppopp    [ Reply ]
Magic
Posted 8 years ago by robertomiller    [ Reply ]
Much more beautyful than Santanas version.. even I like that one too. {#Dance}
Posted 8 years ago by Ginetta    [ Reply ]
Real Music!   A1 
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 ojibwe wrote:

Is this Philly or Detroit? Been too many years to remember. 

Well whichever it is, it's good stuff. 

 
I've never seen one of your song comments before, but I couldn't help but notice the coincidence that "Fresh Air", um, aired an interview with Ojibwe author David Treuer today. https://www.npr.org/2015/02/23/388461490/prisoners-of-war-and-ojibwe-reservation-make-unlikely-neighbors-in-prudence. Okay, this is not a song comment (I already pegged this one at a 10), but what the hell.
Posted 9 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
At least for a few years, there was this kind of really nice, well-crafted, R&B tunes (Temptations, 4 Tops, Isley Brothers, Impressions, etc)  

Kind of miss this genre.  
Posted 9 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 ojibwe wrote:

Is this Philly or Detroit? Been too many years to remember. 

Well whichever it is, it's good stuff. 

 
they were originally from Detroit on Motown but moved to Atlantic Records.
Written by Thom Bell, backed by MFSB and recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, this song defines Philly Soul.
Posted 9 years ago by JrzyTmata    [ Reply ]
 tulfan wrote:

Another Detroit group who couldn't make it on the (then) crowded Motown label...



 
They had quite a few Top 40 hits throughout the 1970s, but it wasn't until after they left Motown Records, with whom they only had some minor hits.  Even though they were from the Detroit area they did have much more success with Thom Bell's "Philly Sound" on Atlantic Records.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 ojibwe wrote:

Is this Philly or Detroit? Been too many years to remember. 

Well whichever it is, it's good stuff. 

 
Detroit sound. Started on Motown but the heart of their output was on Atlantic. The R&B dept at Atlantic was exceptional. Yep, this is good stuff, furshur!
Posted 9 years ago by bitbanger    [ Reply ]
a great song is one that is is 42 years old and you still have to crank up the volume when you hear it playing.
Posted 9 years ago by clwguy    [ Reply ]
 phlattop wrote:
More Philly soul, please!!

 
Is this Philly or Detroit? Been too many years to remember. 

Well whichever it is, it's good stuff. 
Posted 9 years ago by ojibwe    [ Reply ]

Another Detroit group who couldn't make it on the (then) crowded Motown label...


Posted 10 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
Happy Birthday Patty!   and many more     {#Heartkiss} 
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
I put this song on my home answering machine ;)

 
Posted 10 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
You're right Bill, we did seem to hear it a lot back then. Sounds different on an AM radio with a tinny speaker. It turns out to be quite an excellent song though. Same thing with Bill Withers stuff too. 
Posted 10 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
I always loved this song Bill, but I was in love then,,,,,,,,,,,{#Hug}
Posted 10 years ago by Tamster    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
Sitting here on a cold November night, but this song makes it a warm, summer day.  Love the Spinners, and this song holds a special place in my heart.  Thanks to whoever uploaded it, and of course, to Bill and Rebecca for playing it.  Happy now....... {#Bounce}
 

miss you so much, Cynaera...

love this song...
 
Posted 10 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
Sitting here on a cold November night, but this song makes it a warm, summer day.  Love the Spinners, and this song holds a special place in my heart.  Thanks to whoever uploaded it, and of course, to Bill and Rebecca for playing it.  Happy now....... {#Bounce}

 
Super lovely Soul
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 ghoffman wrote:
I agree with you, Bill.  I hated this in the '70s, but really like it now.

 
I always liked this song; I even had the single when it came out.  If there were a hit song from this year that I hated it would be "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast" or something like that.
Posted 10 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 ghoffman wrote:
I agree with you, Bill.  I hated this in the '70s, but really like it now.
 

This scares me greatly because there are plenty of 'popular' songs now and I really, really, don't want to say in 2053: "Oh, yeah, I used to hate Baby, but now I find myself pleasantly humming to it". {#Shifty}
Posted 10 years ago by pirhan    [ Reply ]
 phlattop wrote:
More Philly soul, please!!

 
YES!
I gotta rip my Philly Soul CDs and start uploading.
Posted 10 years ago by JrzyTmata    [ Reply ]
Acesup:  getting old does that ;)
Posted 10 years ago by z11355    [ Reply ]
More Philly soul, please!!
Posted 10 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
Saw my 14 year old daughter dance with a boy at a wedding to this song.

It hit me like a ton of bricks. 
Posted 10 years ago by AcesUp    [ Reply ]
{#Dance}
Posted 10 years ago by stephw    [ Reply ]
I agree with you, Bill.  I hated this in the '70s, but really like it now.
Posted 10 years ago by ghoffman    [ Reply ]
{#Clap}
Posted 11 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
off
Posted 11 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
Outstanding !
 
Posted 11 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
 ChiTownMike wrote:
Great to periodically hear some great Motown like The Spinners or the Delfonics.

Love it!
 
Motown, the Kleenex of soul music. it was the brand name but hardly the only soul music out there.

The Spinners were on Motown earlier in their career but this song was after they made the move to Atlantic. It's pure Philly Soul.
The Delfonics were one of the pioneers of the Philly Soul.


Posted 11 years ago by JrzyTmata    [ Reply ]
 apd wrote:
Oh, hell yea. Bill, more Philly soul on the playlist, please.
 
{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 11 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
Nice! :)
Posted 11 years ago by shakitten    [ Reply ]
I just love this song.
Posted 11 years ago by JrzyTmata    [ Reply ]
 clwguy wrote:
i second that. this is what I love about RP.

Geecheeboy wrote:
Surprisingly welcome.
 
 
Thirded!!! If that's possible

Love the diversity - wouldn't have given it a listen the first time around, but now I know better.... 
Posted 11 years ago by Boy_Wonder    [ Reply ]
AUS rocker Doug Parkinson did a great cover of this about the same time - Bill; you should try get that version for the playlist. 
Posted 11 years ago by OzFan    [ Reply ]
i second that. this is what I love about RP.

Geecheeboy wrote:
Surprisingly welcome.
 


Posted 12 years ago by clwguy    [ Reply ]
This brings back great memories! {#Daisy}
Posted 12 years ago by kittyhawk    [ Reply ]
I MISSED IT this time, so I made sure to give it an 8 so I'll be sure to hear it some other time.  God i love technology sometimes {#Whistle}
Posted 12 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
One of my Alltime Favorite Songs Ever.
Posted 12 years ago by G_Raffa    [ Reply ]
Sitting here on a cold November night, but this song makes it a warm, summer day.  Love the Spinners, and this song holds a special place in my heart.  Thanks to whoever uploaded it, and of course, to Bill and Rebecca for playing it.  Happy now....... {#Bounce}
Posted 12 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Didn't believe what I was hearing. Too Commercial, this gets played on the easy listening stations too much (which I have had to endure at work endlessly). While a great tune and I love Motown....maybe the Temptations would have been a better choice?
 
The majority of songs played here could be considered "commercial", and there are several Temptations tunes on the playlist as well.  Great song.
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
From Sloan to the Spinners! Bill! {#Notworthy}
Posted 12 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 lkovathana wrote:
The Joan Osborne version is good
 

THIS song is great. THIS song should never be covered. I don't mean legally, I mean it should not be covered.{#Snooty}
Posted 12 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
I know my toe's tapping....  {#Bounce}
Posted 12 years ago by eswiley2    [ Reply ]
The Joan Osborne version is good
Posted 12 years ago by lkovathana    [ Reply ]
Brilliant song.
Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
The Spinners are awesome.
Posted 12 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
SMOOOOOVE!

When played at the correct volume, this song can make women's bra straps unhook themselves.

Posted 12 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
One of the very best songs of the genre. Smooth as silk.
Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Classic, and oh so smooth!
Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:

Ok fine.....
 

The Spinners actually recorded on the Motown label and then went to Atlantic.  I cannot imagine why anyone would split hairs over that but, whatever...
Posted 13 years ago by ChiTownMike    [ Reply ]
 apd wrote:

ahem: not Motown - Philly International.
 
Ok fine.....
Posted 13 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Great to periodically hear some great Motown like The Spinners or the Delfonics.

Love it!
Posted 13 years ago by ChiTownMike    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Didn't believe what I was hearing. Too Commercial, this gets played on the easy listening stations too much (which I have had to endure at work endlessly). While a great tune and I love Motown....maybe the Temptations would have been a better choice?
 
ahem: not Motown - Philly International.
Posted 13 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
I haven't heard this song since I was a kid and I never appreciated it then, but even so I find I know most of the words. Now that I can appreciate all of the subtleties, it really is a great song.
Posted 13 years ago by CoolbeaN    [ Reply ]
Oh, hell yea. Bill, more Philly soul on the playlist, please.
And those suits are FIERCE. I can just see the dance-steps.
Posted 13 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
The same opening from Santana ... But this is real a very good song! (Carlos stolen this opening?)
Posted 13 years ago by frank-peter    [ Reply ]
No auto tune goin' on here either...
Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Didn't believe what I was hearing. Too Commercial, this gets played on the easy listening stations too much (which I have had to endure at work endlessly). While a great tune and I love Motown....maybe the Temptations would have been a better choice?

Posted 13 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Brilliant!  Thanks for playing some classic R&B, Bill!
Posted 13 years ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
Surprisingly welcome.
Posted 13 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
 fluorophore wrote:
This could use some airplay. Joan Osbourne's cover ain't cuttin' it.
 

{#Lol}Ya got that right!
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Classic soul pop tune!!!

The Philly Sound.
Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Decent song from my youth...HOW 'BOUT THOSE JACKETS??
Posted 13 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Perfect song for a sunny, spring-like day!
Posted 13 years ago by mbolch30307    [ Reply ]
Oh, that's guuuud.
Posted 13 years ago by haljordan    [ Reply ]
This could use some airplay. Joan Osbourne's cover ain't cuttin' it.
Posted 20 years ago by fluorophore    [ Reply ]