Percy Sledge worked in the fields in Leighton before he worked as an orderly at Colbert County Hospital in Sheffield. By the mid-1960s, Sledge was touring the Southeast with the Esquires Combo on weekends and working at the hospital. A former patient who was a friend of producer Quin Ivy introduced the two, an audition followed, and Sledge was signed to a recording contract.
Sledge's smooth voice was perfect for the series of soul ballads produced by Ivy and Marlin Greene, which rock critic Dave Marsh called "emotional classics for romantics of all ages."
"When a Man Loves a Woman" was the first song recorded under the contract (released in 1966), and it became not only an international hit (it reached #1 in the US) but was also the first gold record released by Atlantic Records. The magnificent soul anthem became the cornerstone of Sledge's career and was followed by "Warm and Tender Love," "Take Time to Know Her," and "Cover Me."
Sledge charted with "I'll Be Your Everything" and "Sunshine" during the 1970s, and has become an international concert favorite throughout the world, especially in the Netherlands, Germany, and on the African continent.
His career enjoyed a renaissance in the 1980s when "When a Man Loves a Woman" re-entered the Top 10 in the UK after being used in a Levi's commercial.
Sledge was an inaugural Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award honoree in 1989. In 2005, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
You're All Around Me
Percy Sledge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And your gentle voice still lingers on and on and on
You're everywhere, your tender love and care
Still remain on everything you touched
Hear you're gone, but your goodness still stays on
And I thank you for these precious memories
For without them it ain't worth living
And it's almost as if you were here
Right here in my room
Oh, you're all around me
And can't nothing ever, ever bring me down
Cause you're all around me, all around me
All around me
Whoa, you're all around me, girl
Your tender love is all around me, yeah
Your pretty smile is all, all around me, yeah
Your tender love is all around me, oh
The lyrics to Percy Sledge's song "You're All Around Me" speak of the lasting presence of someone's love even after they are gone. The singer describes how the love that this person gave surrounds him, their voice still lingers, and their touch still remains on everything they ever touched. As the singer reflects on this love, he expresses gratitude for the memories that were left behind, and how they make life worth living.
The lyrics suggest that even though this person is physically gone, their spirit, love, and energy remains. The repeated chorus of "you're all around me" highlights this concept, as the singer is constantly reminded of this person's presence. The final line of the song, "your tender love is all around me, oh" serves as a summary of the message that the chorus and verses convey.
This song speaks to the power of love and how it can transcend time and space. It is a testament to the idea that the people we love never truly leave us, even when they are no longer with us. Percy Sledge's soulful delivery of the lyrics adds an extra layer of emotion to an already poignant song.
Line by Line Meaning
You're all around me, your sweet love surrounds me
Your presence, love, and care continue to envelop me even though you are gone
And your gentle voice still lingers on and on and on
The memory of your soothing voice remains with me always
You're everywhere, your tender love and care
Your affection and nurturing touch can be felt in everything around me
Still remain on everything you touched
The impact of your love and kindness can still be seen in the things you left behind
Hear you're gone, but your goodness still stays on
Although you have passed away, the legacy of your goodness and kindness endures
And I thank you for these precious memories
I am grateful for the memories of your love and care that I hold dear
For without them it ain't worth living
The memories of your love and care give my life meaning and purpose
And I think about the love you've given
I often reflect on the love and affection you showed me
And it's almost as if you were here
The memories of your love are so strong that it feels like you are still present with me
Right here in my room
I feel your presence and love so strongly that it seems like you are physically here with me
Oh, you're all around me
Your love and care continue to surround me even in your absence
And can't nothing ever, ever bring me down
Your love is so powerful that nothing can diminish its effect on me
Cause you're all around me, all around me
All around me
Your presence, love, and care are ubiquitous and ever-present in my life
Whoa, you're all around me, girl
Your influence and presence are still felt in my life, even though you are no longer here
Your tender love is all around me, yeah
The memory of your affectionate and nurturing love is pervasive in my life
Your pretty smile is all, all around me, yeah
The memory of your warm and inviting smile is constantly present in my thoughts
Your tender love is all around me, oh
The love and tenderness you showed me continues to have an impact on my life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DONNIE FRITTS, EDDIE HINTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
plutos33
Beautiful song, have been searching for this song, finally found it, thank you for posting.
Jean Seb Astienback
Thanks for the posting. I fear they'll remove this soon, though. It's a deserved tribute to that great performer. My favorite song.
Leah Njoki
Ñnanswwwww
Jerrylyn Bruce
Well it's been 4 years and it's still up
Debra Haynes-Wiles
I love this song I think about my mom
Karen Cogar
My daughter.😥
david canter
These recordings were not only good to listen to but great for the dance floor
Gerard Lezama
Timeless!
SUZANNE PEARSON
Beautiful 🥰😍 song 💕 beautiful memories
fredrick kamau
l loved Percy Sledge.