I'll Be There

Album: Third Album (1970)
Charted: 4 1
Play Video
  • You and I must make a pact
    We must bring salvation back
    Where there is love, I'll be there (I'll be there)

    I'll reach out my hand to you
    I'll have faith in all you do
    Just call my name and I'll be there (I'll be there)

    And ooh, I'll be there to comfort you
    Build my world of dreams around you
    I'm so glad that I found you

    I'll be there with a love that's strong
    I'll be your strength
    I'll keep holdin' on (holdin' on, holdin' on, holdin' on)
    Yes I will, yes I will

    Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
    Togetherness, girl, is all I'm after
    Whenever you need me, I'll be there (I'll be there)

    I'll be there to protect you (yeah baby)
    With an unselfish love that respects you
    Just call my name, and I'll be there (I'll be there)

    And ooh, I'll be there to comfort you
    Build my world of dreams around you
    I'm so glad that I found you

    I'll be there with a love that's strong
    I'll be your strength
    I'll keep holdin' on
    Ooh ooh ooh
    Yes I will (holdin' on, holdin' on)
    Yes I will

    If you should ever find someone new
    I know he better be good to you
    'Cause if he doesn't
    I'll be there (I'll be there)

    Don't you know baby, yeah yeah, I'll be there
    I'll be there, I'll be there

    Just call my name, I'll be there (I'll be there)
    Just look over your shoulders honey, ooh
    I'll be there, I'll be there
    Whenever you need me, I'll be there (I'll be there)

    Don't you know, baby yeah
    I'll be there, I'll be there (la la la la la la)
    Just call my name, I'll be there (I'll be there)
    Oh oh oh oh, I'll be there, I'll be there Writer/s: Berry Gordy Jr, Bob West, Hal Davis, Willie Hutch
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 17

  • Dara Roberts from PaThis song doesn't have to relate to just a romantic relationship, in my opinion. It can also be a song of comfort or friendship between friends and loved ones. This song is very special to me because when I was little as I was going through some rough times during my early childhood, I would put this song on as a little girl, and Michael would sing this to comfort me. His voice on this still comforts me to this day, even as an adult. It is also a theme song for me and one of my friends to remind us that we are always there for each other and we will be there for each other. I just came back to Michael after 13+ years away from him and his music, starting last year! And this was one of the songs that I played for the first time in a long time! It's as if Michael is saying, "it's okay, I'm here for you." Let's just say I'm not leaving Michael or the Jackson 5 or the rest of the Jackson family's music for this long ever again! LOL!
  • Jane from Jinan, ChinaLittle Michael was already soooooo amazing ! Child prodigy. His angelic voice infused with the deep emotion is just incredibly touching. R. I. P Michael....Thank you for all you have brought!
  • Garrett from New York, NyThis is a really cool song. Micheal Jackson was one of the greatest singers and performers of all time. Chris Rene a contestant on The X Factor did a cover of this song and I think it would have done Micheal Jackson very proud to have been there to hear it.
  • Rick from Belfast, MeMichael Jackson was soooooo good when he was young.....this song proves it!
  • Lacey from Chicago, Ilone of the greatest songs in music history.
  • Chloe from Carlow, Irelandsorry derek - london ... 'Just look over your shoulder honey' wasnt a mistake ! The Jackson 5 weren't even the first to do it ! The Four Tops sang the line on 'Reach Out (I'll Be There)' and that was in 1966. 'I'll Be There' by the Jackson 5 wasn't released until 1971. They hadn't even been signed to Motown when the Four Tops released their single.
  • Tricia from Rockville Centre, NyI love this song...you will always have a relationship in your past lovelife that will swing back and forth...and this song describes it to the letter. I love the line "You and I must make a pact...we must bring salvation back...where there is love...I'll Be There". It will always represent that true love that will always be with you no matter what...whether they are in your life or not. THe line "Just look over your shoulder" means...that persons spirit represents the love that you feel within. I love the way the Jackson 5 performed it....but I will always remember Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz carrying the high notes...and even more the spirit of Michael Jackson as they sang in at his memorial services 07/08/09. RIP Michael Jackson!
  • Maddie from Scarborough, United KingdomR.I.P Michael Jackson. You are a ledgend! Goodbye to the king of pop.
  • Kayla from St. Paul, MnR.I.P Micheal Jackson. This song was great i really loved it and of course still do. Goodbye Micheal Jackson.
  • John from Nashville, TnCo-writer Willie Hutch later scored two blaxploitation classic films ("The Mack" and "Foxy Brown").
  • Kenneth from Cleveland, Oh The original J5 version of this song is flawless.I don't care for the re-makes,and I like Mariah Carey.
  • Derek from London, United KingdomAlso, towards the end Michael sings "Look over your shoulders honey", and apparently it was a mistake but then the Temptations did it on "Reach Out"
  • Derek from London, United KingdomThe New Kids wrecked it....... I STILL HATE THEM!!!
  • Talya from Manchester, United KingdomI agree with Al, this song is original and other artists shouldn't sing it and say they wrote it!
    This song always makes me cry, I love it.
  • Al from New York, Nythe hell with Mariah Carey, New Kids on the Block, and that punk band previously mentioned...thjere is only ONE version of this song...ONE!!!
  • Jon from Oakridge, OrThe greatest version of this song is done by a band called "Me First and the Gimme Gimmes". They do almost nothing but cover songs in a more fast-paced punk type style and it's awesome. I highly recommend them.
  • Krie from Ft. Drum, NyAlso once covered by the infamously popular boy band New Kids On The Block at a concert.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."

Ed Roland of Collective Soul

Ed Roland of Collective SoulSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.