Introduction
“Will You Be Here When I Wake Up in the Morning” is a romantic ballad recorded by Engelbert Humperdinck, released as a single in 1971. The song was written by the successful songwriting team Barry Mason and Les Reed, who were also responsible for several of Humperdinck’s best-known hits, including “The Last Waltz” and “There Goes My Everything.” Their collaboration with Engelbert helped define his sound during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The song captures a moment of quiet emotional vulnerability. Rather than grand declarations of love, the lyrics focus on uncertainty and devotion — a narrator asking whether love will still be there when the night has passed and morning arrives. This gentle question gives the song its emotional pull, reflecting themes of trust, longing, and emotional dependence that resonated strongly with audiences of the era.
Upon its release, “Will You Be Here When I Wake Up in the Morning” became a major commercial success. It reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, making it Engelbert Humperdinck’s fourth and final UK chart-topping single. Its success reaffirmed his popularity at a time when musical tastes were rapidly changing and competition from rock and pop acts was increasing.
Musically, the song features a lush orchestral arrangement typical of early-1970s easy listening and pop balladry. Engelbert’s warm baritone voice is central to the performance, delivering the lyrics with restraint and sincerity rather than dramatic excess. This controlled emotional style became one of his trademarks and helped maintain his broad appeal across generations.
Today, “Will You Be Here When I Wake Up in the Morning” stands as a defining example of Engelbert Humperdinck’s romantic repertoire. It represents a period when carefully crafted melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and expressive vocal performances dominated popular music — and when a simple question, sung with honesty, could move millions of listeners around the world.