Your Old Stand By
Mary Wells Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

She left you last night
And today you called me on the phone
Asked me if you could come over
'Cause you didn't want to be alone
So you want me to stand in for her
And be the love of your next act
But this time I play the part so well
There'll be no need for her coming back, 'cause...

[CHORUS:]
You know that I'm your old stand-by
You know that you can call on me
I know the part so well that you can hardly tell
That she's left you in misery

I know you only called me 'cause you needed company
'Cause once again she's left you and your heart's in misery, but...
(chorus)

(instrumental)
(repeat and fade):
I don't want to be your old stand-by
I want to be with you permanently




I'm gonna play the part from the depths of my heart
And you won't need nobody but me

Overall Meaning

In Mary Wells's song "Your Old Stand By," the singer speaks to a man who has just been left by his lover. The man calls the singer, asking her to come over because he doesn't want to be alone. He wants the singer to "stand in for her" and be the love of his next act. But the singer doesn't want to be just a temporary replacement; she wants to be with him permanently. She wants to play the part from the depths of her heart, so that he won't need anybody else but her. The singer implies that she has played this role before, as she refers to herself as his "old stand-by" and claims to know the part so well that he can hardly tell his lover has left him in misery.


The song is about being a reliable, dependable partner who is always there to pick up the pieces when someone is hurt by love. However, it also touches upon the desire for a deeper, more meaningful relationship rather than just being a temporary fix. The singer wants to take the place of the woman who left him, and be the one who helps him heal his heart for good.


Line by Line Meaning

She left you last night
The woman you loved left you yesterday


And today you called me on the phone
Today, you phoned me for support


Asked me if you could come over
You wanted to come over to my place


'Cause you didn't want to be alone
You needed someone to be with you


So you want me to stand in for her
You want me to take her place


And be the love of your next act
You are looking for a replacement lover


But this time I play the part so well
I will portray the role perfectly


There'll be no need for her coming back, 'cause...
You will not miss her when I'm with you


You know that I'm your old stand-by
You can always count on me


You know that you can call on me
You can reach out to me whenever you need me


I know the part so well that you can hardly tell
I am so good at being the substitute that you won't even notice she's gone


That she's left you in misery
You are sad because of her departure


I know you only called me 'cause you needed company
You contacted me just because you wanted someone around


'Cause once again she's left you and your heart's in misery, but...
But she left you alone again and you are still sad


I don't want to be your old stand-by
I don't want to be just a replacement


I want to be with you permanently
I want to be your long-term partner


I'm gonna play the part from the depths of my heart
I will play my role with genuine emotions


And you won't need nobody but me
You won't need anyone else when you are with me




Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JANIE BRADFORD, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

virginia locougna

Love Mary Wells, she's blessed with a angelic voice

Valerie Lomeli

she's the best of all times . I'm 46 and these songs have so much meaning

Miguel Alejandro

I’m 30 and been hearing this since I’m 15 soul music is the best homie

Mario Antonio

Happy 50th birthday πŸ˜‡

Danny Jameson

Valerie Lomeli yes mam I can remember binging drug around while my aunt listen to this on AM Radio!!!

Anastasia Beaverhausen

You cute for 46

David Diaz

I am 74 yrs old, and I can remeber the first time I heard this song.............loved Mary Wells, thank God we have recordings. RIP

Amanda King

"This time I'll play the part so well, there'll be no need in her coming back." Says it best.

Lore Rom

Memories of cruising nights on Sundays...πŸ₯°πŸ₯°πŸ₯°

Belle Starr

Is there any where I can find this music in Birmingham AL

More Comments

More Versions