As birthdays tick by, the realization of being firmly in middle age becomes less of a distant thought and more of a present reality. It’s not a transition; it’s an arrival. And for many, like myself, music serves as a personal timeline, marking the different stages of life. From the youthful energy of The Beatles’ “8 Days a Week” to the introspective sounds of Nanci Griffith, music provides the soundtrack to our evolving years. And in the realm of songs that resonate with the complexities of growing older, few capture the spirit quite like “Handle Me with Care” by the Traveling Wilburys.
Music as a Soundtrack of Life’s Stages
Music has an incredible ability to anchor us to specific moments and periods in our lives. Think back to the songs that defined your youth, your college years, your early adulthood. These musical touchstones aren’t just melodies and lyrics; they’re emotional timestamps. Discovering Los Lobos in college, blasting Neil Young in a new home, sharing John Hiatt with my daughters – these aren’t just listening experiences; they are memories intertwined with sound. And as life progresses, certain songs gain new resonance, echoing the sentiments of our current stage. This is where “Handle Me with Care” and the Traveling Wilburys step into the spotlight, offering a unique perspective on navigating middle age with a rock ‘n’ roll heart.
Discovering The Traveling Wilburys: A Supergroup Revelation
Working at a record store during college opened my ears to a vast landscape of music. One day, an intriguing album arrived – the debut by the Traveling Wilburys. The cover featured silhouettes of five figures who, to my young eyes, seemed like seasoned veterans of the music scene. Intrigue piqued, I delved into the press releases and band information, and the reality was even more captivating than the image. These weren’t just seasoned musicians; they were rock and roll royalty, disguised under playful pseudonyms, forming what could arguably be called the ultimate supergroup.
The Supergroup Lineup: Rock and Roll Royalty Incognito
The Traveling Wilburys were a constellation of iconic artists: George Harrison of The Beatles, adopting the persona of Nelson Wilbury; Jeff Lynne from Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), becoming Otis Wilbury; Tom Petty of The Heartbreakers, transforming into Charlie T. Wilbury Jr.; the legendary 1950s crooner Roy Orbison, reinventing himself as Lefty Wilbury; and the voice of a generation, Bob Dylan, taking on the mantle of Lucky Wilbury. This wasn’t just a side project; it was a meeting of musical minds, a collaborative effort born from friendship and a shared love of creating.
The Genesis of “Handle With Care”: Serendipity in Dylan’s Garage
Forget the humorous, fictional origin story involving “strangling dingleberries.” The real story of the Traveling Wilburys’ formation is rooted in a more organic, almost accidental, collaboration. In 1988, George Harrison, working with Jeff Lynne on his Cloud Nine album, needed a b-side. A studio was needed quickly, and the only available space was Bob Dylan’s garage in Malibu. As they set up, Dylan was casually barbecuing, and Harrison popped over to Tom Petty’s nearby house to borrow a guitar. Soon, all five musicians found themselves together in Dylan’s garage, spontaneously jamming and crafting the song George needed. When Dylan asked about the song’s title, Harrison’s gaze fell upon a box labeled “Handle with Care.” A title, and a song, were born.
“Handle With Care”: A Lyrical Deep Dive into Midlife and Rock Star Resilience
“Handle Me with Care” is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a poignant reflection on navigating life’s ups and downs, particularly as experienced by seasoned musicians. Knowing that Roy Orbison, the eldest Wilbury, was 52 when recording this song – just three years younger than I am now as I write this – adds another layer of depth. The song becomes a loving nod to middle age, and a testament to the enduring spirit of rock and roll artists facing the inevitable passage of time and the changing tides of fame.
Verse 1 & Chorus: Vulnerability and the Need for Affection
The opening lyrics immediately set a tone of vulnerability and resilience:
“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”
These lines resonate with anyone who has weathered life’s storms. For the Wilburys, these words carry extra weight, reflecting the battles fought in the music industry and the personal trials they had overcome. The chorus, sung with Harrison’s gentle yet melancholic vocals, is a plea for understanding and tenderness:
“Reputation’s changeable
Situation’s tolerable
But baby, you’re adorable
Handle me with care”
It acknowledges the fickle nature of fame and fortune, the ups and downs of a career in the spotlight, but ultimately emphasizes the importance of personal connection and love as anchors in a turbulent world. Then, Roy Orbison’s iconic, soaring voice takes over in the chorus, adding a layer of operatic emotion, a plea from a man who built his career on songs of loneliness, now seeking genuine care.
“I’m so tired of being lonely
I still have some love to give
Won’t you show me that you really care?”
Bridge: Universal Needs and Shared Humanity
The song shifts gears in the bridge, moving into a more rugged, almost dissonant harmony featuring Dylan and Petty. It broadens the scope from personal vulnerability to a universal acknowledgment of human need:
“Everybody’s got somebody to lean on
Put your body next to mine, and dream on”
This section emphasizes the importance of connection and support, a sentiment that resonates across all walks of life. Lynne and Orbison rejoin to soften the edges of the last few words, creating a beautiful blend of voices.
Verse 2 & 3: Rock Star Confessions and the Price of Fame
The lyrics then pivot to more specific “rock star confessions,” hinting at the unique challenges faced by those in the music industry:
“I’ve been fobbed off, and I’ve been fooled
I’ve been robbed and ridiculed
In day-care centers and night schools
Handle me with care
Been stuck in airports, terrorised
Sent to meetings, hypnotised
Overexposed, commercialised
Handle me with care”
These verses paint a vivid picture of the less glamorous side of fame – the business dealings, the constant travel, the pressures of maintaining artistic integrity in a commercialized world. Yet, despite these challenges, there’s a sense of camaraderie and shared experience in their voices. They sound like they are genuinely enjoying making music together, finding solace and understanding in each other’s company.
The Enduring Legacy of The Traveling Wilburys and “Handle With Care”
When “Handle Me with Care” was released, Bob Dylan was 47, Tom Petty was 38, George Harrison was 45, Jeff Lynne was 41, and Roy Orbison, the elder statesman, was 52. They had all achieved significant success in their careers, and sadly, Roy Orbison passed away just weeks after the song’s release. However, the remaining Wilburys regrouped to create a second album, The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, further solidifying their legacy. “Handle Me with Care” not only launched the Traveling Wilburys but also served as a springboard for individual successes. Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever, co-produced by Jeff Lynne, became a massive hit. George Harrison continued to tour and work on Beatles projects. Bob Dylan followed the Wilburys project with Oh Mercy, considered one of his strongest albums in years.
The song, and the Traveling Wilburys as a whole, stand as a testament to the power of collaboration, the enduring appeal of classic rock and roll, and the ability to find new creative energy even after decades in the music industry. “Handle Me with Care” is an anthem for aging gracefully, for embracing the complexities of life, and for finding strength and comfort in connection. It’s a song that resonates deeply, especially as the years advance, reminding us that even rock stars, and indeed all of us, need to be handled with care. It’s a song I’ll undoubtedly be playing as I navigate my own middle-aged journey, a reminder that even with past successes, there’s always room for meaningful moments in the present and future.
Handle with CareWritten by the Traveling WilburysPerformed by the Traveling WilburysReleased October 17, 1988
