Labels

The Spinners - I'll Be Around

"Whenever you call me."

Album: Spinners [3rd album]
Genre: Soul, Philly Soul, Rhythm & Blues
Recorded:  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Album Release: March 1973
Single Release: July 22nd 1992 [B-side]
Length: 3:08
Producer: Thom Bell
Vocalist: Bobby Smith [age 36]
Label: Atlantic Records


Audio


Live in 1972 [miming]


Charts, Streams & Sales

Canada (singles): #6
US (albums): #14
US (singles): #3 [1x gold]
Spotify: Over 115 million
YouTube Music: Over 31 million


Instruments

Bass, drums, guitar, horns, strings


Details
  • Originally released as the B-side of 'How Could I Let You Get Away'. The label soon realised their mistake and put 'I'll Be Around' as the A-side.

  • Aretha Franklin saw something in The Spinners other people couldn't see. The five piece, all male vocal group had a deal with Motown Records for more than a decade but failed to make it big. To justify the cost of keeping them around Motown insisted The Spinners work as road managers and drivers for the labels bigger stars.

    Carrying the bags for singers who were performing in front of large crowds wasn't easy for The Spinners, but the group persisted and their hard work paid off. They clearly had talent. Stevie Wonder could see it, and in 1970 he produced their single 'It's A Shame', which reached #14 in the US charts.

    When their contract with Motown expired in the early 70's, Franklin insisted the group be signed to her label Atlantic, which led to a string of hit singles and an eventual number one record, in the form of 1974's 'Then Came You' with Dionne Warwick.

  • Philly Soul is an orchestral style of music popular in the late-sixties and early-seventies that was known for its producers more than its singers. It was a funky soul featuring brass and strings that was easy on the ears and could get feet tapping at the same time.

  • 'I'll Be Around' is about a relationship that has ended amicably. Even though the girl has left the guy he promises to still be there for her. The song isn't based on real life.

  • The Spinners only provided the vocals for 'I'll Be Around'. The music was composed by Thom Bell, who also wrote the lyrics alongside Phil Hurtt. 
  • The Spinners have some of the greatest facial hair in the history of music (see the picture above, bottom left). Respects to that man.



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