Frankie Beverly (born Howard Beverly, 6 December 1946, Philadelphia, Pennsy… Read Full Bio ↴Frankie Beverly (born Howard Beverly, 6 December 1946, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a singer, founder, producer, and songwriter, known primarily for his recordings with the soul and funk unit, Maze.

Frankie Beverly started out singing gospel music in church as a schoolboy in Philadelphia. He has claimed that his first professional gig was a tour with The Silhouettes (famous for their 1958 hit Get A Job) when he was only twelve years old, but this is disputed by those associated with the group, whose members were never known to mention him while they were alive.[1]

As a teenager he formed The Blenders, a short-lived a cappella, doo-wop group that were influenced by The Dells, The Moonglows, and The Del Vikings. After that outfit dissolved, he founded The Butlers, which would be the first group he recorded with in 1963. As time passed, they caught the attention of the veteran producer Kenny Gamble, who eventually released recordings by the group.

It turned out that music performed by The Butlers did not fit into the "Philly Sound", and after some heavy touring, the group relocated to California. The unit was re-christened as Raw Soul and caught the attention of a sister-in-law to Marvin Gaye. He was so enamored by the act, he had them as an opening act at his shows. Gaye also convinced Beverly to have the band's name changed to Maze.

Beverly's onstage attire (all-white casual clothing, including slacks, long-sleeved shirt, and a baseball cap) has become his signature dress style over the years.

I Wanna Be With You
Frankie Beverly Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I want to be with you
I just want to be with you
Want to be with you
I just want to be with you

I've tried to forget you with all my might
But you really got a hold on me
I've been good I've been good to you

The way that I should be
You got me hangin' around
Waiting for your call
Talking about it doesn't do a thing at all

I want to be with you
I just want to be with you
Want to be with you
I just want to be with you

Don't want to tie you up
It wouldn't mean to much
If you don't feel the same
And I get so excited
At the mention of your name
I'm just a fool for you
And how I should take heed
I can't help myself
Your the only one I need

I want to be with you
I just want to be with you
Want to be with you
I just want to be with you

Together forever
There's just no place I'd rather be

I want to be with you
I just want to be with you

Want to be with you
I just want to be with you

Overall Meaning

In "I Wanna Be With You," Frankie Beverly expresses his desire to be with a special someone. He admits that despite his efforts to forget this person, he cannot escape the hold they have on him. Beverly has been a good companion but feels as though he is always waiting for their call. He acknowledges that talking about their connection won't do any good- he simply wants to be with this person. Beverly reassures this person that he does not want to force them to commit, as he only wants to be with them if the feeling is mutual. At the beginning, he expresses his heartfelt wish to be with this person, while, towards the end, he admits that he'd rather be with them than anywhere else in the world.

Line by Line Meaning

I want to be with you
The singer is expressing their desire to spend time with the person they are addressing in the song.

I just want to be with you
The singer is reiterating their previous statement, emphasizing the simplicity of their desire.

Want to be with you
The singer is expressing a simpler version of their desire to be with the person they're addressing.

I've tried to forget you with all my might
The singer has attempted to move on from this person but has been unsuccessful in doing so.

But you really got a hold on me
The person the song is addressed to has a strong grip on the singer's emotions and thoughts.

I've been good I've been good to you
The singer has treated the addressed person well and has been faithful to them.

The way that I should be
The singer has done what is expected of them in a relationship.

You got me hangin' around
The singer is always waiting and available for the addressed person's attention or affection.

Waiting for your call
The singer is waiting for the addressed person to make contact with them.

Talking about it doesn't do a thing at all
The singer believes that talking about their feelings doesn't change anything or make their desire to be with the addressed person any stronger.

Don't want to tie you up
The singer does not want to force the addressed person into a commitment or relationship they don't want.

It wouldn't mean to much
The singer recognizes that a forced relationship would not have much value or meaning.

If you don't feel the same
The singer understands that the addressed person may not reciprocate their feelings.

And I get so excited
The singer is easily overwhelmed with happiness at the thought of the addressed person.

At the mention of your name
The singer is triggered into feeling happy and excited simply by hearing the addressed person's name.

I'm just a fool for you
The singer acknowledges that their feelings for the addressed person may not be rational or logical.

And how I should take heed
The singer recognizes that they should be cautious with their feelings for the addressed person, but they cannot control them.

I can't help myself
The singer is unable to resist their strong emotions and desires for the addressed person.

Your the only one I need
The singer believes that they only need the addressed person to be happy and fulfilled in their life.

Together forever
The singer desires to be with the addressed person for a long, indefinite period of time.

There's just no place I'd rather be
The singer believes that they are happiest and most fulfilled when they are with the addressed person.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC CARMEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Tina Talton

9y↑6

Love Frankie and Maze. This song brings back memories of my college days.

Laura Durham

6y↑4

This song has my heart, there was a guy I eventually lost because he thought I was just playing and didn’t want him, I didn’t at first but later I did and tried to tell him.