They enjoyed working together so much that they decided to create an album together. Co-written by all the group members, the songwriting and recording were accomplished over a ten-day period at Dave Stewart's house, as Dylan was due to go out on tour. Their first studio album, Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 1 was released on October 18, 1988. The band members were credited under various pseudonyms, all sons of a fictional Charles Truscott Wilbury, Sr. The album was immediately dubbed as one of the top 100 albums of all time by Rolling Stone, and was a critical and commercial success, spawning several successful singles and eventually reaching triple-platinum sales status in the US. Additionally, it was nominated for several awards and won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group in 1989.
The death of Orbison on December 6, 1988 prevented further full collaborations, and the band continued without him. In 1990, they released a second studio album titled Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 3. The intentional misnumbering is attributed to Harrison's sense of humor; additionally, the pseudonyms for all members were changed. The album met with less success than its predecessor, and the group eventually disbanded in 1990, their final released recording being the song "Nobody's Child", the title track of a benefit album released to benefit Romanian orphans.
In 2007, a compilation of both albums was released, entitled The Traveling Wilburys Collection. As well as both of the original albums, the release included bonus tracks and music videos; additionally, previously uncredited session drummer Jim Keltner, who appeared in some of the group's music videos, was listed as a member of the group, as was Dhani Harrison, the son of George who had assisted in some parts of the overdubbing of the previously unreleased material.
Handle With Care
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 Traveling Wilburys’ song “Handle With Care” is a plea for someone to treat the singer with gentleness and kindness. The opening lines paint a picture of someone who has been through a lot of hardship - they’ve been beaten up, sent up, and shot down. But now, they’ve found someone who is the best thing in their life, and they’re asking that person to treat them with care. The second verse emphasizes the singer’s vulnerability - their reputation and situation are both subject to change, but their love is constant. They’re tired of being lonely and want someone to show them that they really care.
The chorus emphasizes the theme of human connection - everyone needs someone to lean on, and the singer is asking for that connection. The third verse continues with the theme of hardship, but the singer is determined to clean things up and bask in the sweet smell of success. Ultimately, the message of the song is about the need for kindness, companionship, and love - even in the face of difficulty.
Line by Line Meaning
Been beat up and battered 'round
I have been through a lot of hardships and struggles in my life
Been sent up, and I've been shot down
I have faced failures and disappointments in my life
You're the best thing that I've ever found
You are the most precious thing in my life
Handle me with care
Please treat me gently and with love
Reputations changeable
One's reputation is subject to change over time
Situations tolerable
Most situations are bearable when handled with patience and positivity
Baby, you're adorable
You are cute, charming, and delightful
I'm so tired of being lonely
I feel exhausted and drained due to my constant loneliness
I still have some love to give
Despite feeling lonely, I still have love to share with someone
Won't you show me that you really care?
Please demonstrate that you genuinely care for me
Everybody's got somebody to lean on
Everyone has someone to rely on for support
Put your body next to mine, and dream on
Come close to me and let's enjoy our dreams together
I've been fobbed off, and I've been fooled
I have been deceived, manipulated or tricked in the past
I've been robbed and ridiculed
I have been stolen from and humiliated before
In daycare centers and night schools
Even in supposed safe or educational environments, I have faced difficulties
Been stuck in airports, terrorized
Being stuck in airports can be terrifying, particularly due to the uncertainty of flights
Sent to meetings, hypnotized
Meetings can be dull and monotonous, leading to a trance-like, hypnotic state
Overexposed, commercialized
I have been exploited and overexposed for commercial purposes
I've been uptight and made a mess
I have been anxious and stressed, leading to chaotic and disorderly situations
But I'll clean it up myself, I guess
Despite my mess, I will try to sort it out on my own
Oh, the sweet smell of success
Nothing is as satisfying as achieving success after struggles and challenges
Handle me with care
Please handle me with kindness and tenderness
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
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.