Tuesday's Musical Notes exists to highlight classic music and bring that music into a different Light. We hope that amongst all the joviality and merriment that you find judiciousness and meaning in what is written each week. More importantly, we hope that you see repentance in the rhythms, a Savior in the songs, and life change in the unique interpretation of the lyric. In short, we hope that you realize there are options in life. There are folks who pray for you and we hope that you have a circle of friends in which you can rely. Let's face it, we all need somebody to lean on...
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer (inducted in 2015) and Grammy Award winner (Ain't No Sunshine) Bill Withers went to #1 with the first single off of 1972's Still Bill. His success would span from 1963 - 1985. He grew tired of record label executives attempts at trying to change his sound and would leave the recording industry at the end of his contractual obligations.
"Lean on Me" would end 1972 as the #7 song for the year. It would return to #1 when the cover of the song by Club Nouveau peaked at the top spot in 1987 and it would win Withers a Grammy, as the writer, for best R&B song that same year, 15 years after its initial release. "Lean on Me" became one of 9 songs to ever reach #1 twice with different artists recordings. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007 and was ranked #208 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Sometimes in our lives we all have pain we all have sorrow
But if we are wise we know that there's always tomorrow
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 till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
For it won't be long till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
Please swallow your pride if I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs that you don't let show
For no one can fill those of your needs that you don't let show
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
I'm right up the road I'll share your load
If you just call me
So 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'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'd 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 till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
For it won't be long till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
Just call me...
Wow! Just wow! This incredible song gets dusted off whenever there seems to be a natural disaster or national tragedy. That's a shame. You know exactly what I mean. If there is an event whose goal is to promote unity or provide relief from adversity, bring out "Lean on Me"...that'll get the emotions stirred up and the dollars flowin'...
Please pardon the cynism in the above paragraph, but I think so many times the attitude portrayed in "Lean on Me' is one that we should have at ALL times, however, it seems to get pulled out whenever it is expedient to further a cause. "Lean on Me" isn't alone in this usage. Sometimes there is a "community" action that will usually entail the enrollment of a favorite, emotion-stirring song to promote activity. Many of these causes are worthy, but I'm curious, Why can't we just have this perspective and philosophy at all times? Wouldn't everyone's needs be met if we adhered to the tenets of Bill Wither's song? Why does it take trauma and drama to cause us to go to the aid of our neighbor?
The answer is relatively simple. We are bombarded most days with messaging that suggests that above all else we should be taking care of ourselves. This pervasive selfishness feeds everything we do. Choices we make are metered by scales of what others think. We look through the lens of acceptance and determine that we would never want to put ourselves out there to help someone who isn't exactly like us. This base characteristic is the antithesis of why each and every one of us was created.
You are here on this earth for a reason. You were born with a purpose. The rationale for your existence, however, has nothing to do with you. Your purpose is for the benefit of others. As put so well in the opening lines of Rick Warren's best-selling book A Purpose Driven Life, "It's not about you."
"Lean on Me" is a call to living out a lifestyle of service and availability. Our attitude should be one of readiness and eagerness to help those in need. Including our enemies.
"Lean on Me" is a clarion cry to remember the ultimate love that was displayed on a cross.
"Lean on Me" is a reminder of One in whom we can consistently depend when our enemies seem to be surrounding us
Finally, "Lean on Me" is an example to each of us. An example of who we can be. An example of who we are if we follow the ultimate example of sacrificial love, Jesus. Because regardless of how self-sufficient we may think we are...we all need somebody to lean on...
If you'd like to know more about any of this...just call me...(or in this case, post in the comments section)
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving You,
randy
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