I Wanna Be Around
Impressions Lyrics


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I wanna be around, to pick up the pieces
When somebody breaks your heart
When somebody twice as smart, as I

Oh somebody who, will swear to be true
As you used to do with me
Who'll leave you to learn,
That misery loves company, wait and see

I said I wanna be around
To see how he does it when he breaks your heart to bits
Let's see if the puzzle fits, so fine

That's when I'll discover, revenge is sweet
As I sit here applaudin' from a front row seat
When somebody breaks your heart like you broke mine

That's when I'll discover, revenge is sweet




As I sit here applaudin' from a front row seat
When somebody breaks your heart like you broke mine

Overall Meaning

These lyrics from the inimitable Impressions’ “I Wanna Be Around” showcase a narrator who still harbors resentment and yearns to have satisfying closure over a former romantic partner's betrayal. The singer asserts that he wants to be around to help pick up the pieces when "somebody breaks your heart," repeating the phrase as a refrain in a bittersweet delivery that suggests both a genuine willingness to help and a not-so-hidden desire to avenge himself on his former lover.


The ulterior motive behind the words reveals itself in the next verse, as the singer wishes to watch his former partner's new lover mess up and disappoint her. The song becomes increasingly spiteful at this point, as the singer relishes the moment of "discover[ing] revenge is sweet" and "applauds" from a front-row seat at the sight of his former partner's heartbreak. The song is wrought with conflicting emotions and is a testament to songwriter the legendary Isaac Hayes' skill at exploring vulnerable and complex human emotions in his lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

I wanna be around, to pick up the pieces
I want to be there for you and help you recover when someone breaks your heart.


When somebody breaks your heart
When someone hurts you deeply and causes you emotional pain.


When somebody twice as smart, as I
When someone more intelligent than me hurts you.


Oh somebody who, will swear to be true
Someone who promises to be honest and faithful to you.


As you used to do with me
Just like you did when we were together.


Who'll leave you to learn, That misery loves company, wait and see
They will let you experience that being unhappy or miserable can attract people in the same state of mind.


I said I wanna be around
I already expressed that I want to be there for you.


To see how he does it when he breaks your heart to bits
I want to witness how the other person would hurt you and cause you pain.


Let's see if the puzzle fits, so fine
Let's see if this other person is a good match for you and whether they make you happy.


That's when I'll discover, revenge is sweet
When that person hurts you, it will give me satisfaction to see them suffer like I did.


As I sit here applaudin' from a front row seat
I will watch and enjoy the show as the other person causes you pain.


When somebody breaks your heart like you broke mine
When someone hurts you the way you hurt me.




Contributed by Blake B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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