What Is This? (known prior to 1980 as Anthym) was a rock band that originat… Read Full Bio ↴What Is This? (known prior to 1980 as Anthym) was a rock band that originated in Fairfax High School in California and would play numerous shows along the coast of California. They were formed before and played around the same time as the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers would introduce the band before they went on stage. Original Chili Peppers members Hillel Slovak and Jack Irons left the Chili Peppers not long before their first album to stay in What Is This?. Hillel rejoined the Chili Peppers for their second album and Jack for their third album. The name What Is This? refers to the reaction of people listening to their music. After the joining of Natasha Shneider the band was first renamed "Walk the Moon" and then Eleven. The band, in their early days, are referenced numerous times in Anthony Kiedis's autobiography, "Scar Tissue".

I'll Be Around
What Is This Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

This is our fork in the road
Our love's last episode
There's nowhere to go, oh no
You made your choice
And now, it's up to me
To bow out gracefully
Though you hold the key but baby

Whenever you call me
I'll be there
Whenever you want me
I'll be there
Whenever you need me
I'll be there
I'll be around

I knew just what to say
Now I found out today
All the words had slipped away
But I know
There's always a chance
A tiny spark will remain
And sparks turn into flames
And love can burn once again
But I know you know

Whenever you call me
I'll be there
Whenever you want me
I'll be there
Whenever you need me
I'll be there
I'll be around

Whenever you call me
I'll be there
Whenever you want me
I'll be there
Whenever you need me
I'll be there
I'll be around

This is our fork in the road
Our love's last episode
There's nowhere to go, oh no
You made your choice
And now, it's up to me
To bow out gracefully
Though you hold the key but baby

Whenever you call me
I'll be there
Whenever you want me
I'll be there
Whenever you need me
I'll be there
I'll be around

Whenever you call me
I'll be there
Whenever you want me
I'll be there
Whenever you need me
I'll be there
I'll be around

Whenever you call me
I'll be there
Whenever you want me
I'll be there
Whenever you need me

I'll be there
I'll be around

Overall Meaning

The song "I'll Be Around" by What Is This is about relationships and the end of a romantic partnership. The lyrics describe a fork in the road where the relationship has reached its last episode and there is nowhere to go. The singer acknowledges their partner's choice and gracefully bows out, although they still hold a spark of hope that love can be reignited.

The first verse sets the scene for the end of the relationship, with the singer acknowledging that there is no more room for compromise or negotiation. The chorus speaks to the singer's willingness to be there for their former partner whenever they call or need them, expressing a sense of loyalty and dedication that has not been extinguished by the end of their romance.

The second verse speaks to the loss of words and the possibility of reigniting the flame of love. Despite the end of the relationship, the singer still holds out hope that there may be a chance for a future together. The outro repeats the chorus with added emphasis, underscoring the singer's steadfast commitment to being there for their former partner.

Overall, "I'll Be Around" is a poignant exploration of the complexities of romantic relationships and the lingering feelings that remain after a partnership has come to an end.

Line by Line Meaning

This is our fork in the road
This is where our relationship has come to a decisive point

Our love's last episode
This is the final chapter in our love story

There's nowhere to go, oh no
There is no other way to go, we've reached the end

You made your choice
You've decided the fate of our relationship

And now, it's up to me
I now have to decide how to move forward

To bow out gracefully
I will leave with dignity

Though you hold the key but baby
Even though you hold the power in this situation

Whenever you call me
Whenever you need me, I'll be there

I'll be there
I'll always be ready to help you out

Whenever you want me
Whenever you feel like you need me by your side

Whenever you need me
Whenever you require my assistance

I'll be around
I will always be present

I knew just what to say
I used to know how to make you feel better

Now I found out today
But I've just realized

All the words had slipped away
I don't remember what I used to do to help you

But I know
But I remember

There's always a chance
There's hope

A tiny spark will remain
Even a small amount of love can reignite the fire

And sparks turn into flames
Small love can grow into big love

And love can burn once again
Our love can rekindle

But I know you know
I know you also see this possibility

Contributed by Alex B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

Rosana López B

4y↑31

You don't know how hard I tried to find this version. I finally did.

Alley Keosheyan

2y↑4

Me too!

Little King Trashmouth

2y↑4

Someone else must’ve taken it down bc I saw it before, then I didnt, and now I found it again

Scott Boswell

2y↑1

Another 'me too!'!! Different but Good!!

turk 19

1y↑1

Searched for years!

Cristina Pavel Official

45w↑1

me too! I have it on vinyl somewhere, listened to it like 20 years back, so happy I found it!

2 More Replies...

Big Guy’s 45’s

4y↑15

Peaked at No. 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985. A great cover version.

David Ellis

3y↑5

Should have been Top 20.

angela smith

52w↑2

This is still my favorite cover of this song!

Vayabroder

2y↑2

I had a live record from these guys and the live version of this song also sounded incredible. Haven’t been able to find this live record here yet.

Mark Winchester

3y↑8

The one & ONLY cover of The Spinners classic song thats as good or better than the original. FACT!

DrTomoculus

3y↑5

I remember this! Was never a fan of RHCP, but I remember What Is This? If I had heard more I definitely would have picked their stuff up.

Tito ElMartillo

4y↑11

Outstanding album, if you can find it .... they don’t make this stuff anymore

David Ellis

3y↑4

Never issued on 💿

Amatrixa

3y↑5

I actually found this last year at a bookstore for $6.

Gringo300 *

3y↑3

@David Ellis That's because a lot of people don't know this band exists. Simple economics: No demand, no supply. When there becomes a demand, there becomes a supply. It's time to start spreading the word of this band's existence.

Joshua Wright

3y↑3

I found the vinyl lp many years ago. Definitely an underrated band.

Joshua Wright

@Gringo300 * I found out about this band because of the book Scar Tissue.

1 More Replies...

Gerry Kulpa

4y↑13

Produced by Todd Rundgren, this was from the 2nd album, a sadly mostly forgotten band

Gringo300 *

3y↑4

I've heard that Todd Rundgren played keyboards on it, too.

The overall condition of the world is sad.

Alan Elam

4y↑10

I believe I remember first seeing this when I was in 5th grade. It aired on Nickelodeon's "Nick Rocks", which came on Nickelodeon every weekday afternoon after school. Then I never saw it again 'til now. Consequently, I also remember watching USA's "Night Flight" on the weekends, because, naturally we got to stay up late! Ah...Memories.

Little King Trashmouth

They used to play concerts on Special Delivery too: Depeche Mode, ELO, Duran Duran. That was before I was born though

Benjamin Zarate

39w

TEMAZO Y TENGO EL PRIVILEGIO DE TENER ESTE ALBUM EN VINYL DE EPOCA DE 1985 Y SUENA INCREÍBLE ES UNA JOYA Y EL VOCALISTA ES UN COMPATRIOTA CHILENO 'ALAIN JOHANNES' TREMENDO ALBUM QUE SE MANDO WHAT IS THIS.

Shirley Jennings

2y↑2

Great song!

claudio molina

I LOVE this version!!!!!!!!! makes me cry and happy!

Sean Fernandez

4y↑8

Fairfax Crew...Jack..Hillel..Al...Timeless..They Rule!

Sean Fernandez

4y↑1

@FunkSoulTV ..he recorded on the album...but your rite...thus why he wasnt on the video to it.

Gringo300 *

3y↑2

Alain Johanes, Hillel Slovak, Chris Hutchinson, Jack Irons

JMKQUEPONS

3y↑1

@Sean Fernandez that made me wonder where was hillel? since he would swear he plays the guitar in the song but he did not know the year of this cover in 1985 he returned to record with the pepppers Freakey style

Sean Fernandez

2y↑1

@JMKQUEPONS I'll have to ask his(Hillel) brother...remember going to Canters Deli (our neighborhood) one night buying this single from a homeless guy...with Hillels bro and making a comment about Jack and Hillel on this...but he didn't say anything..just sighed..hence ask again.. lol.

colapinjazz

4y↑5

Me gusta mucha esta version ochentera.

Lynda Naclerio

3y↑3

Back in the day I pestered the people at the White Plains Galleria Sam Goody to order this out of their giant book of music, weeks later they told me it was out of print. I know Rhino re-released it but it's not this version, this is awesome, thanks!

Mark Clemons

4y↑5

I REMEMBER SEEING THIS ON U68 BACK IN THE DAY!!!!!!!!!!

Jon's Record Collection

I saw this on Radio 1990, USA Network's evening music video show, way way back in the day.

Mariano MD

Super.

David Ellis

3y↑2

Both them & RHCP went to Fairfax High but What Is This ended up at MCA - music cemetery.

Kroonerguy

4y↑4

Is that Flea on bass ?

19Coyote78

4y↑4

I think Flea played with this band when they started to play in high school but just a couple times, before he joined RHCP... however the bass player in this video is not him.

Gringo300 *

3y↑3

@19Coyote78 Chris Hutchinson. Reportedly, Flea quit What Is This to join the band Fear. If I understand correctly, he co-founded RHCP after he was in Fear.

Gringo300 *

Chris Hutchinson

Little King Trashmouth

2y↑2

Wasn’t Hillel Slovak in this band?

89d7jikop2 got

2y↑3

He was, the RHCP’s original drummer Jack Irons is in this video too.

Vayabroder

Yes

mesaeddie

Hard to believe this video is that old. I loved it then and I love it now. Such a great version.

WowIndescribable

48w

Where's the long-promised AI update???

Amatrixa

48w↑1

Actually I'm a little afraid to move forward fearing it might be blocked by YouTube. Somehow the older posts are left alone (perhaps grandfathered in) but newer ones are blocked entirely. One example, the movie "Adam At 6AM" which was allowed years ago, however I made a much better copy and YouTube refuses to allow it.. I posted other improved versions of music which doesn't show or blocked in certain countries.

I may just go ahead and try, (after all a promise is a promise) and I apologize for not posting it yet. Funny how YouTube contain tons of music but when I post music, mine are blocked, no copyright strike, just blocked. I'd honestly have twice the videos here but YouTube isn't playing fair. If anyone knows any loopholes to get around YouTube I'd love to know. I don't make money for these videos, it's just a fun hobby.

Thanks for your patience!

WowIndescribable

48w

@Amatrixa - Perhaps you could create a new account not associated with this one for new/test uploads?

Amatrixa

47w

@WowIndescribable Good idea! Thanks.

A day or two ago I received an email from a service YouTube uses called "Slip Stream," which are sort of the ones who decide what can be played and remove those that cannot. According to their email (in so many words) the service may have been too strict and asks that we try posting again, promising no copyright strikes.