By Status Ain't Hood Staff
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October 1, 2025
Released in April 1972 as the lead single from Bill Withers’ sophomore album Still Bill, “Lean On Me” quickly became a timeless anthem of unity and resilience. The song soared to No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the soul charts, holding the top spot for three weeks in July of that year. By the end of 1972, it ranked No. 7 on Billboard’s year-end chart, later earning a place on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” The inspiration for “Lean On Me” came from Withers’ upbringing in the small coal mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia. After moving to Los Angeles, he found himself longing for the close-knit community spirit of his hometown. Sitting at his newly purchased piano, he crafted a simple yet powerful melody, pairing it with lyrics that reflected the importance of leaning on one another during hard times. Withers intentionally kept the words straightforward, allowing the message of solidarity to resonate with people from all walks of life. Recorded with members of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band and enhanced by a string section, the song’s soulful arrangement only deepened its emotional impact. Over the years, “Lean On Me” has been covered countless times, most notably by Club Nouveau in 1987, whose version also topped the Billboard Hot 100—making it one of just nine songs to achieve No. 1 status with two different artists. In 2007, Withers’ original recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, cementing its place as one of the most enduring and uplifting songs in American music history.