The Traveling Wilburys - Handle With Care

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 the first recording made by the group, although it was originally intended as a bonus track on a European single by George Harrison. When he and Jeff Lynne presented the song to Harrison's record company, the executives insisted it was too good for that purpose, a decision that resulted in the formation of the Wilburys. The song was written primarily by 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.

Lyrics:
[Verse 1: George Harrison]
Been beat up and battered around
Been sent up, and I've been shot down
You're the best thing that I've ever found
Handle me with care

[Verse 2: George Harrison]
Reputation's changeable
Situation's tolerable
But, baby, you're adorable
Handle me with care

[Pre-Chorus: Roy Orbison]
I'm so tired of being lonely
I still have some love to give
Won't you show me that you really care?

[Chorus: Bob Dylan and Tom Petty]
Everybody's got somebody to lean on
Put your body next to mine, and dream on

[Verse 3: George Harrison]
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

[Verse 4: George Harrison]
Been stuck in airports, terrorized
Sent to meetings, hypnotized
Overexposed, commercialized
Handle me with care

[Pre-Chorus: Roy Orbison]
I'm so tired of being lonely
I still have some love to give
Won't you show me that you really care?

[Chorus: Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison]
Everybody's got somebody to lean on
Put your body next to mine, and dream on

[Verse 5: George Harrison]
I've been uptight and it made a mess
But I'll clean it up myself, I guess
Oh, the sweet smell of success
Handle me with care