About the song
“Handle With Care” is a song by the British-American supergroup the Traveling Wilburys. It was released in October 1988 as their debut single and as the opening track of their album Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1. The song was written primarily by George Harrison, although, as with all the tracks on Vol. 1, the writing credit lists all five members of the band: Harrison, Lynne, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty.
The song is a gentle ballad about the fragility of love and relationships. The lyrics are full of metaphors, such as “Been beat up and battered around” and “Reputation’s changeable, situation’s are bound to change,” that speak to the ups and downs of love. The song’s message is one of caution and tenderness, urging the listener to handle their loved ones with care.
“Handle With Care” was a critical and commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been covered by many artists, including Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen. It remains one of the Traveling Wilburys’ most popular and enduring songs.
The Traveling Wilburys were a supergroup consisting of George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty. The group came together in 1988 to record an album of Harrison’s outtakes. The album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, was released in October 1988 and was a critical and commercial success. The band released a second album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, in 1990, but it was not as successful as their first album. Orbison died in December 1988, and the band has not recorded or performed together since.
“Handle With Care” is a classic song that has been enjoyed by fans for over 30 years. It is a beautiful and moving song about the importance of love and relationships. The song’s message is as relevant today as it was when it was first released, and it is sure to continue to be enjoyed by fans for many years to come.
Video
Lyrics
Been beat up and battered ’round
Been sent up, and I’ve been shot down
You’re the best thing that I’ve ever found
Handle me with care
Reputations changeable
Situations tolerable
Baby, you’re adorable
Handle me with care
I’m so tired of being lonely
I still have some love to give
Won’t you show me that you really care?
Everybody’s got somebody to lean on
Put your body next to mine, and dream on
I’ve been fobbed off, and I’ve been fooled
I’ve been robbed and ridiculed
In daycare centers and night schools
Handle me with care
Been stuck in airports, terrorized
Sent to meetings, hypnotized
Overexposed, commercialized
Handle me with care
I’m so tired of being lonely
I still have some love to give
Won’t you show me that you really care?
Everybody’s got somebody to lean on
Put your body next to mine, and dream on
I’ve been uptight and made a mess
But I’ll clean it up myself, I guess
Oh, the sweet smell of success
Handle me with care