Honestly, Atlantic Records almost blew it.
Back in 1972, the label heads were convinced they knew exactly which song would make The Spinners superstars. They put all their money and promotional muscle behind a track called "How Could I Let You Get Away." It was the official A-side. It was the chosen one.
The song we all know and hum today? I'll Be Around was literally an afterthought. It was tucked away on the B-side, the "filler" track that wasn't supposed to do much more than collect dust while the main hit climbed the charts.
But then the DJs started listening.
In a move that rarely happens anymore, radio programmers across America collectively decided the label was wrong. They flipped the record over. They fell in love with that clean, octave-doubled guitar riff and the smooth, almost conversational lead vocal by Bobby Smith.
By the time the dust settled, I'll Be Around hadn't just outperformed the A-side—it had spent five weeks at number one on the R&B charts, hit number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and sold over a million copies. It wasn't just a hit. It was a cultural pivot point.
The Philly Sound Nobody Saw Coming
To understand why this track feels so different from the Motown hits of the late 60s, you have to look at where it was born. The Spinners had just escaped a frustrating stint at Motown where they felt like the "B-team" compared to giants like The Temptations.
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They moved to Philadelphia and teamed up with a producer named Thom Bell.
Bell was the architect of what we now call "Philly Soul." Unlike the raw, driving energy of Detroit or the gritty funk of Stax in Memphis, Philly Soul was sophisticated. It was lush. It used classical arrangements—strings, horns, even the occasional oboe—but kept a steady, danceable heartbeat.
For the recording of I'll Be Around, Bell brought in the legendary MFSB (Mother Father Sister Brother) studio band at Sigma Sound Studios. If you've ever wondered why that guitar line sounds so sharp and iconic, you can thank Norman Harris. He played those signature octaves that give the song its "earworm" quality from the very first second.
Breaking Down the Magic
There’s a weird tension in this song that most people miss. Usually, a song about a breakup is either "I'm miserable" or "I'm moving on."
This song is neither.
The lyrics, co-written by Bell and Phil Hurtt, describe a guy who is basically saying, "Hey, you've left me for someone else, and that's cool, but if it doesn't work out... I'm literally just going to be standing right here."
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"Whenever you need me, I'll be there. Even if I have to call, I'll be there."
It’s unconditional to the point of being a little heartbreaking. Or maybe a little desperate? It depends on how you're feeling when you hear it. Bobby Smith’s delivery is the secret sauce here. He doesn't belt it out. He doesn't oversell the pain. He sings it with a quiet, dignified restraint that makes the devotion feel real rather than theatrical.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Lead Singer
If you ask a casual fan who sang lead on I'll Be Around, a lot of them will say Philippé Wynne.
It makes sense why people think that. Wynne was the flashy, charismatic frontman who joined the group right around this time and handled the big ad-libs on later hits like "The Rubberband Man."
But on this specific track? That’s all Bobby Smith.
Smith was the group's original lead singer from their Detroit days. While Wynne eventually became the "star" of the group's Atlantic era, it was Smith’s understated, silky voice that actually launched their comeback. The way he handles the transition into the chorus—where the Sigma Sweethearts (the legendary backing vocalists Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, and Evette Benton) join in—is a masterclass in R&B phrasing.
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Why It Still Matters in 2026
You’ve probably heard this song a thousand times without even trying. It’s been sampled by everyone from Tupac to Hall & Oates. It’s been covered by groups like What Is This? (featuring members who would later form the Red Hot Chili Peppers) and even Joan Osborne.
The reason it doesn't age is the production.
Thom Bell didn't overproduce it. If you listen closely, there’s a lot of "air" in the track. The congas played by Larry Washington provide a subtle, tropical pulse that keeps it from feeling like a heavy ballad. It occupies this perfect middle ground where you can play it at a wedding, a funeral, or while cleaning your kitchen, and it somehow fits every vibe.
Actionable Insights for the Soul Fan
If this song is a staple on your "Oldies" playlist, there are a few things you can do to actually appreciate the history behind it:
- Listen to the "A-Side": Go find "How Could I Let You Get Away" on a streaming service. It’s a great song, but once you hear it, you’ll immediately understand why the DJs flipped the record. It lacks that "lightning in a bottle" feeling that Bell captured on the flip side.
- Explore the Sigma Sound Catalog: If you like the "vibe" of this track, look up other MFSB-backed hits from 1972-1975. This was the peak of the Philadelphia International era.
- Watch the Choreography: Find a clip of The Spinners performing this on Soul Train. Their synchronized moves weren't just for show; they were part of the "Artist Development" training they carried over from their Motown years.
The Spinners weren't just a vocal group; they were a bridge between the doo-wop of the 50s and the disco of the late 70s. I'll Be Around was the bridge that let them cross over into immortality. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the "filler" track is actually the masterpiece.
To dive deeper into the Philly Soul era, your best bet is to look into the "Mighty Love" or "Spinners" albums in their entirety. These records showcase the full range of the Bell-Spinners partnership, moving from gritty social commentary to the peak of romantic balladry.