As performers, their best-known song is "Solid" (1984 US and 1985 UK), although they have had many other hits, mostly on the R&B charts. Many of their songs have been recorded in hit versions by artists as diverse as Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and so many, many others.
Ashford and Simpson met at Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church in 1963. After having recorded unsuccessfully as a duo, they joined aspiring solo artist and former member of the Ikettes, Josie Jo Armstead, at the Scepter/Wand label where their compositions were recorded by Ronnie Milsap ("Never Had It So Good"), Maxine Brown ("One Step At A Time"), as well as the Shirelles and Chuck Jackson. Another of the trio's songs "Let's Go Get Stoned" gave Ray Charles a number one U.S. R&B hit in 1966. That same year Ashford & Simpson joined Motown where their best-known songs included "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)".
The duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
I'll Be There For You
Ashford & Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you're scared
Cause I don't have the image of a hero
But no matter what comes our way or what we go through
I'll be there for you, ho mmm
And I can't say
But you must know this, through your tears and fears
I care and there ain't nothin' we can't share
I'll be there for you (all you do is call)
I'll be there for you (I'll be there, be there when you fall)
When the world is closin' in and there's no one you can turn to
I'll be there for you (oh)
You're gonna need
Somebody you can lean on and be sure of
Though seasons may change, my love remains new
And I'll be there for you (ooh hoo hoo)
I know it's hard
To talk about emotions locked inside, oh
But you've got to be free enough with me to share
And in the time of need I swear
I'll be there for you (ooh) (reach out and grab my hand, girl)
I'll be there for you (baby, baby, baby, I understand) (ooh)
When the world is closin' in and there's no one you can turn to
I'll be there
I know you have a sense of who you are
That I admire, yeah
Yeah, and even the strong and the brave
You can get tired (baby, baby)
But when everything goes wrong
And the night is cold, hold on
Don't need no luck, ifs, and or buts
Anytime, anyplace, any where (yeah) (yeah)
I'll be there for you (reach out and grab my hand, girl) (ooh)
I'll be there for you (baby, baby, baby, I understand) (ooh)
When the world is closin' in and there's no one you can turn to
I'll be there
I'll be there for you (baby, you know it)
I'll be there for you (i love you still, I love you still) (ooh)
I'll be there for you ('cause my love is guaranteed)
I'll be there for you (oh lean on me, lean on me)
I'll be there for you (I'll climb any mountain)
I'll be there for you (baby) (I'll be there in a hurry) (yeah) (woo)
When the world is closin' in and there's no one you can turn to
I'll be there for you
The song "I'll Be There For You" by Ashford & Simpson is an affirmation of commitment and loyalty between two people. The lyrics convey the idea that sometimes life can be difficult, and we all face trials and tribulations that can be scary, but no matter what comes our way, the singer promises to be there for his partner. He acknowledges that he may not be the perfect hero that she may have imagined, but he wants her to know that his love and support will remain unwavering. He recognizes that it's not always easy to open up about our emotions, but he encourages her to be free with him and trust that he will always be there for her.
The chorus of the song is a straightforward message in which the singer reassures his loved one that he will always be there for her. This is a message of hope and comfort that reminds us all that we can lean on others during difficult times in our lives. The lyrics use a simple language that is easy to understand, making it easy to relate to and sing along to.
Overall, "I'll Be There For You" is a beautiful and timeless love song that has become a classic. The lyrics are honest, heartfelt, and authentic, which is what makes them enduring and relatable. The song captures the essence of what it means to be there for someone when they need you the most and reminds us all of the importance of having someone to lean on in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh hoo oh
Vocalization to set the emotional tone of the song
I know you're scared
Acknowledging the other person's fear and anxiety
Cause I don't have the image of a hero
Admitting that the singer doesn't have all the answers or solutions
But no matter what comes our way or what we go through
Promise to support the other person through any difficulty
I'll be there for you, ho mmm
Reiterating the promise of unconditional support
And I can't say
Admitting a limitation or inability
That I can satisfy your every needs, oh
Acknowledging that the singer cannot be everything to the other person
But you must know this, through your tears and fears
Reassurance that the singer cares despite any difficulties or challenges
I care and there ain't nothin' we can't share
Reaffirmation of the depth of care and willingness to support
I'll be there for you (all you do is call)
Offering to be available at any time and emphasizing ease of access
I'll be there for you (I'll be there, be there when you fall)
Reiterating the promise of support and care during difficult times
When the world is closin' in and there's no one you can turn to
Acknowledging the potential for difficult or lonely situations
I'll be there for you (oh)
Reiterating the promise of support
You're gonna need
Foreseeing the other person's future need for support
Somebody you can lean on and be sure of
Identifying the role of the singer in the other person's life
Though seasons may change, my love remains new
Promise of continued love and commitment regardless of external circumstances
And I'll be there for you (ooh hoo hoo)
Reiteration of the promise of unconditional support
I know it's hard
Acknowledging the difficulty of opening up emotionally
To talk about emotions locked inside, oh
Identifying the specific challenge in communication
But you've got to be free enough with me to share
Emphasizing the importance of trust and vulnerability in the relationship
And in the time of need I swear
Reiterating the promise of support
I'll be there for you (ooh) (reach out and grab my hand, girl)
Offering physical as well as emotional support
I'll be there for you (baby, baby, baby, I understand) (ooh)
Reaffirming understanding and empathy
I know you have a sense of who you are
Acknowledging the other person's self-awareness and identity
That I admire, yeah
Expressing respect and admiration
Yeah, and even the strong and the brave
Pointing out that everyone needs support and care, regardless of strength or bravery
You can get tired (baby, baby)
Recognizing the other person's emotional or physical exhaustion
But when everything goes wrong
Acknowledging the inevitability of difficult situations
And the night is cold, hold on
Encouragement to persevere through difficult times
Don't need no luck, ifs, and or buts
Asserting the reliability and steadfastness of the promise of support
Anytime, anyplace, any where (yeah) (yeah)
Emphasizing the availability and willingness to help at all times
I'll be there for you (reach out and grab my hand, girl) (ooh)
Reiterating physical as well as emotional support
I'll be there for you (baby, baby, baby, I understand) (ooh)
Reaffirming understanding and empathy
When the world is closin' in and there's no one you can turn to
Reiteration that support is available even in difficult situations
I'll be there
Reiterating the promise of support
I'll be there for you (baby, you know it)
Affirming that the other person can rely on the singer
I'll be there for you (i love you still, I love you still) (ooh)
Expressing continued love and commitment
I'll be there for you ('cause my love is guaranteed)
Reiterating the reliability and stability of the relationship
I'll be there for you (oh lean on me, lean on me)
Offering physical as well as emotional support
I'll be there for you (I'll climb any mountain)
Emphasizing the extent of the singer's dedication to the other person
I'll be there for you (baby) (I'll be there in a hurry) (yeah) (woo)
Reiterating availability and willingness to help quickly when needed
When the world is closin' in and there's no one you can turn to
Reiteration that support is available even in difficult situations
I'll be there for you
Final reiteration of the promise of unconditional support
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind