Vai has been described as a "highly individualistic player" and part of a generation of "heavy rock and metal virtuosi who came to the fore in the 1980s". He released his first solo album Flex-Able in 1984, while his most successful release, Passion and Warfare (1990), was described as "the richest and best hard rock guitar-virtuoso album of the '80s". He was voted the "10th Greatest Guitarist" by Guitar World magazine, and has sold over 15 million records.
Discography
Flex-Able (1984)
Passion and Warfare (1990)
Sex & Religion (1993)
Fire Garden (1996)
Flex-Able Leftovers (1998)
The Ultra Zone (1999)
Real Illusions: Reflections (2005)
The Story of Light (2012)
Modern Primitive (2016)
Inviolate (2022)
I'll Be Around
Steve Vai Lyrics
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Emotions are deadly when there's too much to fear
Touch a feeling and we feel again
To know the pleasure, we must know the pain
I'm going down for the last time
Open your eyes
And who's gonna catch you when you're fallin'
Who's gonna trust you
Well I'll be around for a while
And who's gonna heal you when you're bleeding
And who's gonna give to you when you're needing
And who's gonna love you
Well I'll be around for a while
When love lies bleeding only fools are bold
They search for pennies in a pot of gold
Faith is dying when no one's to trust
But your soul is crying
And it's glorious
It's coming down to the last time
Open your heart
Who's gonna hear you when you're callin'
And who's gonna catch you when you're fallin'
And who's gonna laugh with you
Well I'll be around for a while
And who's gonna warm you when you're freezing
And who's gonna hold you when you're screaming
And who's gonna promise you
To be around for a while
There you stand, drowning in the rain
Kidding yourself the wind don't sting
And all this time the thing you want is calling to you
I dig the way you take that storm
While spitting in the face of right and wrong
Well you could let down your defenses
When you're in my arms
You could my face
In my arms
You could dream on and on
In my arms
You would never be alone
In my arms
You could cry like a child
In my arms
Who's gonna hear you when you're callin'
And who's gonna catch you when you're fallin'
And who's gonna trust you
Well I'll be around for a while
And who's gonna mend you when you're broken
And who's gonna find you when you're stolen
And who will always love you
I'll be around for a while
And who's gonna shield you when it's rainin'
And who's gonna kneel with you when you're prayin'
Who's gonna feel for you
Well I will, I'll be around for a while
Who's gonna help you when you're tryin'
And who's gonna hold you when you're dyin'
Who's gonna beg you
To be around for a while
The lyrics of Steve Vai's song "I'll Be Around" revolve around trust, love, and emotional support, with a touch of melancholy. The first stanza talks about how words fall silent when no one listens, and emotions become dangerous when fear dominates. The lyrics hint at the relationship between pleasure and pain, how one needs to know one to appreciate the other. The second stanza is about the singer reassuring someone that they will be around to help when they are needed. The third stanza is a kind of self-reflection, with the lyrics emphasizing how love is difficult when trust and faith fade away. The fourth stanza is about the singer encouraging someone to let go of their defenses and trust the singer with all of their vulnerabilities.
The chorus is the mainstay of the song, with a series of questions being posed to the singer. The questions relate to who would offer help, assistance, love, support, and comfort to the person in distress. The singer reassures that he will be around to offer all of these things. The last stanza is a plea to the person to stay around and be there for the singer, who will reciprocate their love and be around whenever they are needed.
Overall, the song is about trust, love, and emotional bonding, with the singer acting as a supportive figure to the person in need. It is a touching song that is relevant to anyone who has experienced emotional turmoil, and it encourages the listener to seek help and support when they need it.
Line by Line Meaning
Words fall silent when no one will hear
Silence is the only language when nobody listens to you
Emotions are deadly when there's too much to fear
When fear dominates, emotions can be dangerous
Touch a feeling and we feel again
We remember emotions when we experience them again
To know the pleasure, we must know the pain
Pleasure without pain is a meaningless experience.
I'm going down for the last time
I'm near to give up on everything
Open your eyes
Wake up and face the reality
Who's gonna hear you when you're callin'
Who is there to listen to your problems
And who's gonna catch you when you're fallin'
Who is there to support you when you need it most
Who's gonna trust you
Who will believe in you
Well I'll be around for a while
I'll be here for you for as long as I can
And who's gonna heal you when you're bleeding
Who is there to cure your wounds and mend your heart
And who's gonna give to you when you're needing
Who is there to provide for your needs
And who's gonna love you
Who is there to love you unconditionally
When love lies bleeding only fools are bold
Only the foolish take unnecessary risks when heartbroken
They search for pennies in a pot of gold
They seek happiness in the wrong places
Faith is dying when no one's to trust
When there is no trustworthy person, faith begins to fade
But your soul is crying
Your inner self is in turmoil
And it's glorious
It is a beautiful, yet painful process
It's coming down to the last time
Time is running out
Open your heart
Be brave and let your emotions free
Who's gonna laugh with you
Who is there to share your joy
When you're in my arms
When you are close to me
Who's gonna warm you when you're freezing
Who is there to comfort you in difficult times
And who's gonna promise you
Who is there to pledge their loyalty
There you stand, drowning in the rain
You're overwhelmed and lost in sorrow
Kidding yourself the wind don't sting
You're trying to hide your pain from others
And all this time the thing you want is calling to you
Your heart desires something that eludes you
I dig the way you take that storm
I admire how you face the challenges of life
While spitting in the face of right and wrong
You defy society's norms and stay true to yourself
Well you could let down your defenses
You could allow yourself to be vulnerable
In my arms
With me
You could dream on and on
You could imagine a better future with me
You would never be alone
I will always be there for you
You could cry like a child
You could express your emotions freely with me
And who's gonna mend you when you're broken
Who is there to help you heal when you're hurt
And who's gonna find you when you're stolen
Who is there to protect you when you're vulnerable
And who will always love you
Who is there to love you unconditionally
Who's gonna shield you when it's rainin'
Who is there to protect you from the hardships of life
And who's gonna kneel with you when you're prayin'
Who is there to support you in your beliefs
Who's gonna feel for you
Who's gonna feel the pain for you and lend a hand to help you out
Well I will, I'll be around for a while
I will be with you at your worst and at your best for some time
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Steve Vai
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind