I’ll Be Around – Spinners | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#3) and R&B (#1 for 5 weeks ); 1972
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Originally called the Domingoes, the quintet from Ferndale, Michigan renamed themselves the Spinners, after the flashy hubcaps on tenor Bobbie Smith’s car.
In 1960 music maven Harvey Fuqua began coaching the group; giving them the #5 R&B single, That’s What Girls Are Made For. The Spinners next scored with I’ll Always Love You in 1965, and It’s A Shame in 1970.
After 17 years and numerous personnel changes, the Spinners landed at Atlantic Records with Philly soul maestro Thom Bell. In June of 1972, Bell recorded the tracks for a simple three chord tune he’d written.
It took all of 40 minutes. Needing lyrics pronto, he looked in offices until he got to Bunny Sigler’s. Bunny wasn’t in, but Phil Hurtt was, and Bell recruited him to come up with some lyrics that fit Bell’s melody exactly.
The following day Hurtt handed in I’ll Be Around. Tagged as the B-side to How Could I Let You Get Away, deejays quickly flipped over Around and spun it to #1.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Thom Bell
Lyrics Written by:
- Thom Bell
- Phil Hurtt
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).