Marvin Junior is actually not on this song at all due to missing rehearsal that day. Charles gave the leads of this song to Chuck Barksdale and Johnny Carter.
I could take my guitar
Hit the road and try to be a star
That sort of thing just don't appeal to me
I could play some one night stands
Traveling light, a one man band
But I know this is where I'd rather be
It's your bright sunshine that lifted
All the shadows off my mind
Yeah your sweet love led me to a brighter day
So you never have to worry
'Bout me leaving you behind
Wait and see, I won't ever turn away
Hmm
Cause you made my dream come true
And gave my life new meaning too
And more than anything
I'd rather be with you
Well I'd rather be with you babe if I could (Hmm)
I'd rather be with you
You know I'd rather be with you babe surely would (Woo)
You know I'd rather be with you
Now this ghetto life is hard
In our concrete front yard
Nothing grows except a single tree to mark our place
But the moment that I'm with you
Girl your light and love shine through
And then I realize you're my saving grace
I could catch that old greyhound
Head up west and bum around
Watch the sun set on the San Francisco Bay
But you mean so much to me
I could never put you down
That would be to big a price for me to pay
Hmm
Cause you made my dream come true
And gave my life new meaning too
And more than anything
I'd rather be with you
I'd rather be with you babe if I could (Hmm)
I'd rather be with you (Hmm)
I'd rather be with you babe surely would (I, I, I rather)
I'd rather be with you (Hmm)
I'd rather be with you
Rather Be With You was written by Terry Callier & Larry Wade & Jerry Butler.
Rather Be With You was produced by Charles Stepney & Chuck Barksdale.