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Olivia Fowler

Professor Skelly

English Composition II

21 June 2020

Lean on Me

“Lean on Me” by Bill Withers and “Lean on Me” by Club Nouveau use the same set of

lyrics that are expressed in a different way. In Bill Withers version, he is singing his song to fans

in a slow mellow tone. Bill Withers’ released his version in 1972, in this era this tone of music

was more popular. “Lean on Me” by Club Nouveau was released in 1987. Club Nouveau's remix

of "Lean on Me” gives new life to Bill Withers version while providing a more upbeat and

joyous vibe. The new version highlights the fact that it is beyond okay to lean on someone

when you need a hand and that you always have someone there for you. This song was written

many decades ago, yet it is still relevant today. 

As Bill Withers sings his version of “Lean on Me”, the listener really feels called out to

let the lyrics impact them. The title of the song itself expresses that it is okay to need a friend at

times. Bill Withers’ starts off the song with the line “Sometimes in our lives we all have pain”.

This line is reaching out and normalizing that we all go through painful experiences within our

lives, whether it’s a physical, mental, or spiritual, we have all been there. Another important line

of Bill Withers song is “Lean on me when you are not strong and I will be your friend, I’ll help

you carry on” is referring to Withers’ childhood experiences and always having someone he

could reach out to with no questions asked. Within the video, the main character of Withers’ live

performance was himself and the audience that he was singing to. Withers’ and the audience

really allowed the story of the song to be told. The story within this video is that even famous
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people need someone to lean on at certain points of their life. The music video was presented in a

small environment with people that could relate to the lyrics.

Bill Withers sang “Lean on Me” with a more gospel tone, which is relevant to the time

period. Withers used this tone of music because he enjoyed attending church as a child. He grew

up listening to similar rhythmed hymns. He wrote this song based on his experiences growing up

in a coal mining town in West Virginia. Coal mining is a job where you had to trust one another

in order to be successful and to lower the risk of injury. Bill Withers had a lot of people he could

lean on when he was growing up (Ed Hogan). Within Bill Withers video having him as the

narrator gives the video an ethos appeal. Withers has experienced a culture of leaning on one

another and also a community that is willing to give a helping hand. Having himself as the

narrator of the songs allows his fans to know they are not alone.

The lyrics of Bill Withers version and Club Nouveau’s version are the same, yet, the way

they are sang gave a different feeling to each. Both versions of the song give off a very broad

appeal, allowing people from any background to be able to connect to the lyrics. Bill Withers

wrote this song for every person despite their age, race, gender, religion, etc. At some point in

our life, independent of your physical appearance, you are going to need someone to lean on. He

repeats the lyrics “call me” at the end of the song to show that you have people willing to help

you, just one phone call away.

Club Nouveau’s version of “Lean on Me” came out just a little over a decade after Bill

Withers’ version. Club Nouveau used the same lyrics, yet, put a twist on the beat that was more

appealing to that era. Club Nouveau uses upbeat joyous vibes and shows a lot of dancing within

the video. The main characters within the video is Club Nouveau and then throughout the video

they show people of all different races and backgrounds dancing. The environment of their
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version is a more uplifting scene. In Club Nouveau’s music video one gets the idea that everyone

goes through hard times, yet, it is such a relief to have someone in your life that you can lean on.

Leaning on someone is supporting them through whatever it is that they are going through. One

that can bring a smile and make another laugh is someone each and every person needs in their

life. Every person needs someone that they can lean on.

Within the Club Nouveau’ video, all the characters are dancing and delighted to have one

another’s company, they have no shame of needing someone. “Please swallow your pride” is a

lyric that was expressed numerous times within the video. All the characters had pushed aside

their pride and allowed themselves to lean on others to help them become more content. Within

this version it seemed as if no one had any worries.

The biggest difference between the two versions is not the message, but the way they are

expressed through the two different artists by the tone in which they are conveyed. The music

within Bill Withers is beautiful, slow and peaceful. Club Nouveau’s version was more uplifting

with the choice of percussion and a faster pace. Both versions of “Lean on Me” made it to top

charts having an impact on all generations to come.

Both versions of the song use pathos, the emotions within this song are vividly expressed.

“Lean on Me” uses pathos because he wants the listener to understand that it is okay to need

someone and that we are not the only one. Another reason that both versions of these songs

appeal to pathos is because, while listening to both versions it creates an emotional response

within the listener that has an impact on their life, and the people around them. Both versions are

perfect examples of an impassioned plea, both artists are truly passionate about the song that they

are singing, and they want to provide a lasting impact on their listeners, whether that be through

the lyrics, music video, or both.

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With each version hitting top charts it is obvious that “Lean on Me” touched a lot of

people. Depending on the person they may like one version over another but both versions are

getting the same message across to the listener. Listeners may also find that although they like

one version better than the other, both of the songs provide a lasting impact on them, and the

people around them, and they can find an emotional, and impactful tie to the meaning behind the

lyrics. Through both versions of “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers and Club Nouveau the message

of having a friend to lean on will always remain.

Works Cited

Club Nouveau. “Lean on Me.” 1987, www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbyjaUJWWmk .

Hogan, Ed. “Lean on Me - Bill Withers: Song Info.” AllMusic, 2020,

www.allmusic.com/song/lean-on-me-mt0004211701.

Withers, Bill. “Lean on Me.” 1972, www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTVEIOOBD6Q .