Will You Be There

Album

A Halo to You

Label

Epic records

Genre

Stage & Screen

Composer(s)

Michael Jackson

Entered Chart

Jul 17, 1993

Peak Date

Sep 11, 1993

Released

June 28, 1993

Recorded

1990–91

Catalog #

Epic 77060

B-Side

(instrumental)

Although the trials of Michael Jackson resulting from allegations of sexual abuse are thoroughly documented, the allegations made against him by an obscure Italian songwriter received relatively little publicity. Al Bano had sued Jackson, claiming "Will You Be There?" had been plagiarized from his composition "I Cigni Di Balaka." The December 1999 issue of the British magazine The Songwriter carried a report of this action, which after seven years resulted in vindication for the American artist when the Court of Appeals in Milan decided finally that the two songs were not the same. Previously, Rome magistrate Domenico Bonaccorsi had issued a 13-page ruling to the effect that they were similar enough to warrant an injunction against the Jackson composition and album Dangerous in Italy. The songs are certainly very similar both melodically and in phrasing, but this is an old story, there are only a certain number of ways eight musical notes can be arranged (allowing for sharps and flats!), and it is hardly surprising that at times two writers on different sides of the Atlantic come up with similar compositions. >> This was released as the seventh and final US single from Dangerous in 1993 after it was used in the movie Free Willy. The song is similar in title and sentiment to "I'll Be There," a huge hit for Michael's group The Jackson Five in 1970. This was written, arranged and composed by Michael Jackson and produced by Jackson and sound engineer Bruce Swedien. On this song Jackson was backed by the Andrae Crouch Singers. R&B and hip-hop producer Teddy Riley worked on much of Dangerous. He told Music Radar that Jackson's idea of bringing a vocal choir in on this track "was a stroke of genius. It's something I'd consider doing since hearing him do it." He added: "It's a long song as well, a lot of this album really clocks in. This nearly hits eight minutes, I think – it's not a punchy radio edit! Yes, it's long but it came across really well for the album. A lot of the songs on the album are long. That's what makes the album I think." The prelude played at the beginning of the track is from Beethoven's Ninth "Ode to Joy" Symphony. Jennifer Hudson performed this song at Jackson's memorial service on July 7, 2009.

Hold me
Like the River Jordan
And I will then say to thee
You are my friend

Carry me
Like you are my brother
Love me like a mother
Will you be there?

Weary
Tell me will you hold me
When wrong, will you scold me
When lost will you find me?

But they told me
A man should be faithful
And walk when not able
And fight till the end
But I'm only human

Everyone taking control of me
Seems that the world's got a role for me
I'm so confused will you show to me
You'll be there for me
And care enough to bear me

(Hold me) Show me (lay your head lowly) lowly
(Softly then boldly) Yeah (carry me there) I'm only human

(Free me) Hold me
(Love me and feed me) Yeah, yeah
(Kiss me and free me) Yeah
(I will feel blessed) I'm only human

(Carry) Carry me
(Carry me boldly) Carry, yeah
(Lift me up slowly) Yeah
(Carry me there) I'm only human

(Save me) Fill me
(Heal me and bathe me) Fill me up, put me up
(Softly you say to me)
(I will be there) I will be there

(Lift me)
(Lift me up slowly)
(Carry me boldly) Yeah
(Show me you care)

(Hold me) Whooo
(Lay your head lowly) Get lowly sometime
(Softly then boldly) (carry me there)

(Need me) Whoo
(Love me and feed me) Fill me up, hold me up
(Kiss me and free me) (I will feel blessed)