Wilburys was a slang term coined by Harrison and Lynne during the recording of Cloud Nine as a pet name for various types of equipment in the recording studio; Harrison, referring to errors caused by malfunctioning equipment, jokingly remarked to Lynne: "We'll bury 'em in the mix". The term was used again when the entire group was together. Harrison suggested The Trembling Wilburys as the group's name; instead, Lynne suggested Traveling, which was agreed on by the group. The American spelling of Traveling rather than the British spelling Travelling was used because the band started in America and consisted of three Americans and only two Brits.
Handle With Care
The Traveling Wilburys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been sent up, and I've been shot down
You're the best thing that I've ever found
Handle me with care
Reputations changeable
Situations tolerable
Baby, you're adorable
I'm so tired of being lonely
I still have some love to give
Won't you show me that you really care?
Everybody's got somebody to lean on
Put your body next to mine, and dream on
I've been fobbed off, and I've been fooled
I've been robbed and ridiculed
In daycare centers and night schools
Handle me with care
Been stuck in airports, terrorized
Sent to meetings, hypnotized
Overexposed, commercialized
Handle me with care
I'm so tired of being lonely
I still have some love to give
Won't you show me that you really care?
Everybody's got somebody to lean on
Put your body next to mine, and dream on
I've been uptight and made a mess
But I'll clean it up myself, I guess
Oh, the sweet smell of success
Handle me with care
The lyrics of "Handle With Care" by The Traveling Wilburys indicate the singer's vulnerability as a result of being mistreated, yet also convey a sense of hope for a better future. The song sets the tone with opening lines about being "beat up and battered 'round" and "sent up, and...shot down," suggesting the singer has endured a great deal of emotional pain, but then immediately emphasizes the significance of the person addressing them with the phrase, "You're the best thing that I've ever found." The chorus implores this person to "handle me with care," as if the singer is delicate and might easily break.
The following verses mention several other ways the singer has been mistreated, such as being "robbed and ridiculed" and "terrorized," but still, there is a sense of reassurance and optimism expressed in the lines, "situations tolerable" and "baby, you're adorable," possibly indicating that through the support and nurturing care of the listener, the singer is able to overcome these difficult experiences. The song's final lines make a plea for companionship and affection, "put your body next to mine, and dream on," as if the singer hopes to find comfort and support in the presence of the person being addressed.
Line by Line Meaning
Been beat up and battered 'round
I've been through a lot of tough times and hardships
Been sent up, and I've been shot down
I have experienced times when I have failed and lost everything I had
You're the best thing that I've ever found
You are the best person that has come into my life, and I cherish you
Handle me with care
Please be patient and gentle with me, I am still healing from past wounds
Reputations changeable
People's opinions of me can shift and are not set in stone
Situations tolerable
I can handle most situations, but I need your support for the really tough ones
Baby, you're adorable
I think you are charming and lovable
Handle me with care
I need your patience and understanding as we navigate through life together
I'm so tired of being lonely
I am exhausted from being alone and could really use someone to rely on
I still have some love to give
Even after all my struggles, I am still capable of giving and receiving love
Won't you show me that you really care?
Can you please demonstrate that you truly care for me and want to be with me?
Everybody's got somebody to lean on
Everyone needs someone to support them during tough times
Put your body next to mine, and dream on
Let's relax in each other's arms and dream about our future together
I've been fobbed off, and I've been fooled
I have been deceived and misled by others in the past
I've been robbed and ridiculed
I have been taken advantage of and humiliated by others before
In daycare centers and night schools
Even in places that are supposed to be safe and nurturing, bad things can still happen
Handle me with care
Please be kind and patient with me as I continue to work through my past traumas
Been stuck in airports, terrorized
I have felt trapped and scared in unfamiliar places
Sent to meetings, hypnotized
I have been to meetings where I was bored or felt like I was in a trance
Overexposed, commercialized
I have felt like my life has been exploited for others' gain
Handle me with care
Please treat me gently and with respect, as I have been through a lot
I'm so tired of being lonely
I am exhausted from feeling isolated and alone so often
I still have some love to give
Despite all my struggles, I am still willing to love and be loved
Won't you show me that you really care?
Can you prove to me that you truly care for me and want the best for me?
Everybody's got somebody to lean on
No one should have to go through life alone - everyone needs someone to lean on
Put your body next to mine, and dream on
Let's hold each other close and dream about all the good things that are to come
I've been uptight and made a mess
I have been anxious and made mistakes in the past
But I'll clean it up myself, I guess
I will take care of my own mess, even if it's difficult
Oh, the sweet smell of success
It feels good to achieve my goals and succeed in life
Handle me with care
Please be patient and understanding as I continue to grow and learn.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: BOB DYLAN, GEORGE HARRISON, JEFF LYNNE, ROY K ORBISON, TOM PETTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@01270211136
I cannot confirm it as fact, but I believe Elvis was once interviewed and asked, what it felt like having the greatest singing voice ever?
Elvis relied... "I am not sure. Go and ask, Roy Orbison".
Southern class and incredibly humble.
I am 100% sure Elvis would have jumped in on this little sing along.
" Without a song. The day will never end"
My time will come to meet them. I hope!!
@wireless6
I'm 74 and realise how lucky I am that YouTube came along in my lifetime so I could watch great videos like these over and over again.
@user-nw6qp7yf2t
Me too. Sir!
@jimclarke1108
@@user-nw6qp7yf2t And me
@chabookproductions6997
Amen Brother!
@stargazer5797
Count me in. The beautiful songs remind me of my family which are all gone. I feel them through the music.
@lesliefuller1456
@@user-nw6qp7yf2tand me
@jimshea6593
Elvis once said that Roy Orbison's voice was the most pure and perfect voice he had ever heard.
@andrewrehnert4997
This song was probably written with Elvis in mind!
@grahamstrachan3555
Elvis wasn't wrong
@vanessaearly7490
That's so awesome. I have always related the 2 of their voices to each other.