To Be With You

It's the 30th anniversary of the release of Mr. Big's album "Lean Into It!". Just bumped into the post on Facebook about this anniversary. Takes me back to my high school years. 

I can't remember how many times I had listened to that CD and how many times I watched the music video of "To Be With You". I recorded a 90-minute tape cassette with only that song instead of putting it on repeat. Those were the sanction times and nothing but food to be bought. 

I think I was ridiculously mesmerized with that band. I thought that would outgrow them, but I didn't. There is something more than music that drew me to them. They were not the biggest band in the world, probably even underrated. Perfect musicians with phenomenal production with upbeat spirit to them and the music were the things that did the trick for me.

I was so depressed in those times and listened to some pretty good but equally depressing bands like the Stone Temple Pilots, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Metallica, Oasis, etc. I am not saying depressing as a critique. I recognized the spirit of despondency everywhere, so it was not a surprise even though I couldn't explain it - how come it seemed to be everywhere? I was thinking, these people have everything and we didn`t have almost anything and we all ended up depressed.

Anyway, Mr. Big is one of the bands that were different, and that different was a  good kind of different. At least to me. My friends were trying to explain why they didn't like their music; it was soft metal, too commercial, etc. It was like their majesties couldn't debase themselves to listen to something like that. I didn't care. 

I learned to appreciate something different and unique. Billy and Paul became my role models for how to play the guitar. It is still fascinating to me how Billy plays his bass as if in love with it. I admire Paul not because he can play with abnormal speed but because that's not his preoccupation at all. Also, Eric. For the longest time, I thought he was a woman! Back then, we didn't have internet or Google, so you were not able to find information readily available like today. 

I remember we had a debate, my friends and I whether he was a female or male. It wasn't a heated argument or anything, but I was sincerely convinced he was a she! Until I got their CD from my father's friend who lived in Sweden. 

I remember I was so happy when I got that and other CDs. It had a booklet with the band members' photos and names, so I was finally convinced Eric Martin was Eric and not Erica.

Anyway, I loved Eric'ss voice and his face for some reason other than just his voice and face. Probably the energy he had and still has. I found recently that I still love the band. They didn't lose that energy at all! And I have finally met a friend who likes them too! So I am not alone in my love for the band and can share the enthusiasm with someone, no matter it's just one person. 

Just want to add that I also knew the whole video of "To Be With You" by heart. I knew every frame, every transition, every pose Eric made, and every gesture of the other band members.

This still was and is my favorite from the video.

 

Another favorite moment is this one

I was obsessed with Eric’s hands. Still don’t know why. 

Here’s the whole song

In conclusion, Mr. Big definitely made my life more bearable.