MR. BIG - TO BE WITH YOU

Released: November 22, 1991

Charted:  US: #1 (3 weeks)  UK: #3 

Released in November 1991 as the second single from their 1991 album “Lean into It”, "To Be with You" by American rock band Mr. Big soared to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. It also dominated charts in 11 other countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, and New Zealand.

Eric Martin's inspiration for "To Be with You" stems from his unrequited love for Patricia Reynolds during his teenage years. They are close friends but Martin harbored deep feelings for Reynolds, who only saw him as a friend. Martin described Reynolds as beautiful and intelligent, qualities that captivated him entirely. Reynolds remained indifferent to Martin's romantic gestures, preferring to maintain their platonic relationship. Despite his desire to be her knight in shining armor, Martin found himself relegated to the role of a supportive friend. 

The minimalist instrumentation of "To Be with You," featuring just a bass drum, acoustic guitar, and hand claps, plays a crucial role in accentuating the poignant lyrics. Eric Martin collaborated with songwriter David Grahame, known for his role as Paul McCartney in the Beatlemania show, to complete the song. Initially, Martin's cassette demo of the song had a folk sound. Grahame drew inspiration from the sparse arrangement of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance" and suggested a similar approach for "To Be with You." This decision proved effective, giving the song a unique sound that enhances its emotional storytelling.

Originally, "To Be with You" wasn't planned as a single release. Unexpected radio play prompted its release. According to the band's Billy Sheehan in a 1992 interview, "We never intended to release 'To Be With You.' We had another single. But some guy in Lincoln, Neb., just started playing the song, and the record started selling like crazy. It spread to Omaha and went all over the country."

In the music video for "To Be with You," directed by Nancy Bennett, the band is seen performing in a railroad car. What's intriguing is the transition from black and white to color halfway through the video.