This is Sinatra and Count Basie's second collaboration after 1963's Sinatra-Basie.
This album also marks Sinatra's first time working with arranger/conductor Quincy Jones.
1. "Fly Me to the Moon" (Bart Howard) – 2:30
2. "I Wish You Love" (Léo Chauliac/Charles Trenet, Albert Beach) – 2:56
3. "I Believe in You" (Frank Loesser) – 2:21
4. "More (Theme From Mondo Cane)" (Riz Ortolani, Nino Oliviero, Marcello Ciorciolini, Norman Newell) – 3:05
5. "I Can't Stop Loving You" (Don Gibson) – 3:00
6. "Hello, Dolly!" (Jerry Herman) – 2:45
7. "I Wanna Be Around" (Johnny Mercer, Sadie Vimmerstedt) – 2:25
8. "The Best is Yet to Come" (Cy Coleman, Carolyn Leigh) – 3:10
9. "The Good Life" (Sacha Distel, Jack Reardon) – 3:10
10. "Wives and Lovers" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) – 2:50
I Wanna Be Around
Frank Sinatra & Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somebody twice as smart as i.
Somebody who will swear to be true like you used to do with me,
Who'll leave you to learn that misery loves company, wait and see.
I want to be around to see how he does it when he breaks your heart to bits,
Let's see if the puzzle fits, so fine,
And that's when I'll discover that revenge is sweet,
When somebody breaks your heart like you broke mine.
That's when I'll discover that revenge is sweet,
As I sit there applauding from a front row seat,
When somebody breaks your heart like you broke mine,
Like you, like you broke mine.
The lyrics to Frank Sinatra and Count Basie's song "I Wanna Be Around" reveal a complicated and somewhat vengeful approach to a past relationship that has left the singer heartbroken. Rather than simply moving on or seeking reconciliation, the singer wants to stick around and watch as someone else breaks their former partner's heart in the same way. The opening lines reveal a kind of twisted loyalty, suggesting that the singer wants to be there to pick up the pieces for their ex in the event of such a heartbreak, but only to revel in the other person's ability to hurt them worse than the singer could.
As the song continues, the singer elaborates on their revenge fantasies, declaring that they will sit "in a front row seat" and "applaud" as the other person's heart is broken, enjoying the feeling of satisfaction that comes with seeing their ex experience the same pain they did. The final lines, which repeat the phrase "like you broke mine," emphasize the extent to which the singer is still fixated on the past and the hurt they experienced, suggesting that their desire for revenge is rooted in a deep sense of betrayal.
Overall, "I Wanna Be Around" is a complex and somewhat disturbing portrait of a person who has been deeply wounded by a past relationship and who is struggling to come to terms with their own feelings of hurt and anger. The desire for revenge that animates the song is a potent reminder of how easily and powerfully love can turn to hate, and it speaks to the ways in which past traumas can shape our lives and relationships long after they have ended.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to be around to pick up the pieces when somebody breaks your heart,
I desire to remain close to you and assist you in times of distress if anyone breaks your heart,
Somebody twice as smart as i.
Another person who is doubly intelligent compared to me,
Somebody who will swear to be true like you used to do with me,
Someone who will make an oath to be faithful to you, similar to how you promised to me,
Who'll leave you to learn that misery loves company, wait and see.
That person will allow you to experience and understand that misery enjoys having company, just watch and wait for it to happen.
I want to be around to see how he does it when he breaks your heart to bits,
I want to witness how that person will handle the situation when they cause you great emotional pain,
Let's see if the puzzle fits, so fine,
Let's observe if that person is a good match for you (and if they are also hurtful), perfectly fitting into your life,
And that's when I'll discover that revenge is sweet,
At that moment I will realize that taking revenge feels gratifying,
As I sit there applauding from a front row seat,
As I sit front and center, clapping and cheering,
When somebody breaks your heart like you broke mine.
It is only when someone causes you the same heartbreak that you inflicted upon me,
Like you, like you broke mine.
Just like you broke my heart.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sadie Vimmerstedt, Johnny Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jazz Courage
(Joey Diaz voice) Tremendous!
GSXSMOE
Here after the last church!
NickBuckus wilson
@GSXSMOE our heart broke when church ended and no one around to pick up the bits...
Gary Johnston
I wanna he around to outlive the bullshit
ELSA GRANADOS
MARAVILLOSOS...LOS AMO!! FRANK SINATRA, EL MEJOR CANTANTE DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS
Carla Montenegro
I really love this version
harvey Navigator
One of the best albums I ever owned,the Count and Sinatra at the Sands
KrazyCrow
I love this! 💙
Gino Kwiek
He always find the Words that i need ❤❤❤❤thanks mr sinatra .rip
Priscilla Wilson
The music is great, but Tony Bennett really rules on this one.