Exploring 'Lean On Me': Simplicity and Depth

For the Season Seven finale, Kirk takes a look at Bill Withers' enduring hit "Lean On Me." In the process, he takes a broader look at a bunch of Withers' other most famous songs to better understand how this plainspoken, seemingly ordinary guy managed to write so many extraordinary songs.

Written by: Bill Withers

Album: Still Bill, 1972

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

• “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Grandma’s Hands” by Bill Withers from Just As I Am, 1971
• “Lonely Town, Lonely Street,” “Let Me In Your Life,” and “Use Me,” by Bill Withers, and “Who Is He (And What Is He To You)” by Bill Withers/Stan McKenny from Still Bill, 1972
• “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers and Skip Scarborough, 1977
• “Just The Two of Us” by Bill Withers, William Salter, and Ralph MacDonald, recorded by Grover Washington Jr., 1981
• “The Way” by Meshell Ndegeocello and “Who Is He (And What Is He To You)” recorded by Ndegeocello on Peace Beyond Passion, 1996
• Excerpts from Live at Carnegie Hall, released 1972
• Excerpts from the 2010 documentary “Still Bill,” dir. Damani Baker and Alex Vlack
• 2004 Songfacts interview w/ Withers
• Withers' 2015 Rock Hall of Fame acceptance speech
• Record needle sound via Sounds Recorded

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