Lean On Me
A Reason to Smile
From the opening notes, the song resonates with the soul. In the simplicity of its chords lies its power. In its lyrics lies a beautiful vision for our common humanity.
“Lean on Me,” from the legendary Bill Withers, always packs an emotional punch. In a time of division, when we see so much selfishness and cruelty, we felt this would be a timely antidote to those who elevate hurt over help.
We believe it provides another reason to smile, although we cannot promise your eyes will remain dry.
We share two versions below. We also share the lyrics, because they are worth reading. They fill us with hope.
First up is a live performance from 1973. The music. The voice. The power.
Now for the lyrics:
Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrowBut if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrowLean 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 onPlease swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrowFor no one can fill
Those of your needs that you won't let showYou just call on me brother when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean onI just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean onLean 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 onYou just call on me brother
When you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean onI just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean onIf there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carryI'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me
In 2015, Bill Withers was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He sang “Lean on Me” with Stevie Wonder and John Legend. Not too shabby.
Note: If you are not already a subscriber to our Steady newsletter, please consider joining us. And we always appreciate you sharing our content with others and leaving your thoughts in the comments
Thank you for posting the lyrics to "Lean on Me." It's a favorite of mine because of its catchy melody and heart warming message. We need to take in these words to counteract the hatred and lies we are hearing. Linda Garson Smith
A wonderfully warm and wise song, from a person daring to show vulnerability and letting the hearer know it is OK to show it.
"Lean on Me" was an unofficial anthem of the early days of the BLM protests, when things looked very dark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCsl_wij9Xs
Connected to this, I want to let people know about a remarkable essay by Dahlia Lithwick:
"The Only Way to Navigate the Election Storm Ahead"
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/11/election-lies-2022-midterms-misinformation-survival.html
Lithwick quotes Aurrora Levins Morales:
"We need to step into the calm eye of the storm, and steer by the stars, to imagine in rich detail, the biggest, most delicious, satisfying, inclusive future that we can, a great flowering of human potential and wellbeing, project our hearts and minds into that future, and then spend our lives walking toward it, and each time the weather buffets us, wait for a glimpse of sky, find that bright point of light, and adjust our course.
Don’t waver. Don’t let despair sink its sharp teeth Into the throat with which you sing. Escalate your dreams. Make them burn so fiercely that you can follow them down any dark alleyway of history and not lose your way. Make them burn clear as a starry drinking gourd Over the grim fog of exhaustion, and keep walking."