Edwin McCain, I’ll Be | Bangerz N Bopz 🔥

In the 56th edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 (2024), we highlight “I’ll Be” performed by rock singer/songwriter, Edwin McCain.  

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 56^th edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 (2024), we break down “I’ll Be” performed by Edwin McCain, I’ll Be.

“I’ll be your cryin’ shoulder / I’ll be love’s suicide / And I’ll be better when I’m older / I’ll be the greatest fan of your life.” Ah, “I’ll Be” – a love song for all time.  It is the ace-in-the-hole for South Carolina rocker, Edwin McCain. He is NOT a one-hit-wonder – “I Could Not Ask For More” snuck into the top 40 – but “I’ll Be” was his sole top-five hit.  The fourth track from the 1997, platinum-certified album, Misguided Roses, wasn’t intended as the great love and wedding anthem it’s become. According to an interview by Songfacts, McCain states, “I didn’t really write the song as a love song. It was kind of a Hail Mary prayer for me, personally.” He adds, “It was this admission of failure and this prayer that I could be a better person, wrapped up as sort of the end of a relationship kind of thought.” Interesting! Matt Serletic produced this 90s gem. The sounds include a standard, pop/rock rhythm section as well as saxophone and strings.   

Besides the radiance of the instrumental, McCain ‘puts in work’ vocally.  He delivers a compelling performance.  He’s commanding and expressive from start to finish.  Soundly executed, Edwin also impresses with tasteful ad-libs, never over-singing or forcing things.  His performance feels natural.  Of course, the songwriting is a big selling point, particularly the sing-along chorus.  The verses are well-penned too, while the pre-chorus is the perfect preface to the ‘crowning achievement.’

“And tell me that we belong together

Dress it up with the trappings of love

I’ll be captivated, I’ll hang from your lips

Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above.”

Adding to the sheer excellence, the melodies are tuneful. While McCain had a different interpretation in mind for “I’ll Be”, it’s become one of the greatest love songs of all time.  Relistening nearly 30 years, later, this song sounds as fresh as it was back then.

Edwin McCain // Misguided Roses // Atlantic // 1997

Edwin McCain, I’ll Be: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 56 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic; cottonbro studio, Harry Shelton, Kool Shooters, Lucas Pazeta, Mavluda Tashbaeva, Teddy Yang, Wesley Souza from Pexels]