In times of need, there’s always someone who will come along and offer a shoulder to lean on. That someone can be a close friend or a dear loved one. Yet, in some instances, that someone can be a complete stranger sent to you to help you through those challenging times.
You 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’ll understand
We all need somebody to lean on — Bill Weathers, “Lean On Me”
When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we’ll see
No I won’t be afraid
Oh, I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me — Ben E. King, “Stand By Me”
If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea
I’ll sail the world to find you
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can’t see
I’ll be the light to guide you — Bruno Mars, “Count On Me”
Bill Weathers originally wrote and recorded “Lean On Me” in 1972. Released as the first track from his second album Still Bill, the song topped both the Soul Singles chart and Billboard’s Hot 100. Several other artists have since covered “Lean On Me” but one of the most successful was the version by Club Noveau in 1986. The R&B Group took the song to the top spot in Billboard’s Hot 100 as well as in the dance charts. The group’s interpretation also led to a 1987 Grammy Award for Bill Weathers for Best R&B Song.
A 1961 song originally recorded by Ben E. King, “Stand By Me” was inspired by a spiritual entitled “Stand By Me Father”. Over 400 artists are known to have covered the song but “Stand By Me” achieved immense popularity in 1986 when it became the soundtrack of the coming of age film of the same title. The movie, which starred Will Wheaton and the late River Phoenix, eventually led to the song being recognized in 2015 as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress, leading to its induction into the National Recording Registry. The recognition was preceded by millions in royalties being paid to King in 2012 for record sales following the release of the movie.
Bruno Mars is the voice behind “Count On Me”, released in 2010 as part of his debut album entitled Doo-Wops & Hooligans. The song was initially released as a radio single in Australia but was eventually included as the sixth track of the album. Mars received a two-time platinum award for the song from the Recording Industry Association of America apart from the three-time platinum record award given by the Australian Recording Industry Association.
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