The Cast Of 'Lean On Me' Sings Fair Eastside School Song

In a scene that will give you chills every time, Mr. Clark drags troublemaker Thomas Sams, played by Jermaine Hopkins, into the boys bathroom where he busts a group of guys known as the Eastside “Song Birds” hanging out during class and they’re forced to sing the school song.
And after 25 years, the boys have still got it!
Hopkins and “Song Birds” Michael Best, Stephen Capers Jr., Dwayne Jones, Kenneth Kelly and Anthony Fuller popped into the Dish Nation set in Atlanta this week and sang the school song together for the first time in 25 years - and their harmony is mind-blowing.
"Dish Nation" is a daily half-hour entertainment news program featuring the leading drive-time personalities from across the nation. Giving you the dish like no one else can!
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[@UntouchaBLU_1914]

The only school song that everybody knows lol...they still got it too.

[@asha1195]

& the best school song prolly ever written. I would buy it on iTunes if I could

[@freshair9938]

Facts

[@ye-mimahisrael5489]

YES THEY DOOO.

[@ebenson4778]

Yep..🤣

[@thesamuraihobbit]

Well, most school songs have the same generic tune. Eastside is unique.

[@darthsauron9323]

imagine if Morgan freeman came in and interrupted them haha

[@dameonjones3102]

DarthSauron93 lmfaoooo

[@Ari_princess21]

😂🤣

[@Kay_DT]

I pictured it😂🤣

[@jeremydjp]

It would have been perfect

[@geturlife1694]

DarthSauron93 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣💯💯💯💯😭😭😭😭

[@celzyjr]

Mr. Clark's facial expression when they started singing (in the movie, of course) was priceless!

[@DishNation]

+charles elzy jr RIGHT!

[@jaywoodard4514]

+charles elzy jr I so agree! Priceless!

[@937dboy]

ikr.. his performance in the movie was powerful and still moves people to this day.

[@sythlorde]

+charles elzy jr mean as a bulldog! they sang good, but sad. great acting!

[@bganewstart]

Especially on the "Praise thy name Praise thy name" part! lol Morgan Freeman is the truth!!!

[@baggergurl16]

It's funny how no one knew their own school song but knew this one by heart.🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@naishahenderson9976]

Truth! I didn't even know if my school had one😂

[@bridgetten54]

​@@naishahenderson9976me either 😂😂😂

[@jonboxleitner7354]

"Mrs. Powers, these hoodlums have told me something I can't believe..." 🤣🤣🤣

[@quilaquila5462]

I finally get a chance to hear them do it full out I always used to hate when mr.clark made them stop singing

[@ErikisOfficial]

Damn it! I thought it was just me ...lol

[@LoveMEsumLISSA]

+Kalea Lane Girl...Me too!!! LOL!

[@iveywebb]

FACTS lol

[@MsTraydale]

They play the extended version in the movie too whenever he told Mrs. Powers she had rewritten the school alma mater. Lol ( I've seen that movie one too many times lol)

[@H20fanatic20]

They sang in the background of the next scene when he's going through the hallways in a good mood. YOu get to hear the whole thing then.

[@PRETTYESHIA504]

Omg they sound awesome even better. 👏👏👏👏👍😍😍😘

[@ciaraj3282]

504Thickbeautyy for some reason I did not expect perfection from them! They were amazing!! 🤗❤️

[@halogirl676]

Wow !!

[@princellasmith7562]

Grown men voices now!

[@amylee8969]

Only think missing is for Morgan Freeman to be there to perform his role in this 😊

[@hopetruzy498]

this song will never get old to me....!!!!! love it then and now

[@mooserogers9989]

Hope Truzy I know right..... I just listen to this like 5 times lol

[@blvckmercy2312]

Moose Rogers

[@mooserogers9989]

Blvck Mercy I'm still listening to it lol

[@kerilenkofarrington6166]

Hope Truzy Yes I love it and plus I'm watching Lean On Me right now on Centric TV that's how much I love this movie

[@BigSmitty713]

Hope Truzy nope

[@shesaidthat7068]

the light skin one still has a boyish charm..great

[@odelidemorency1524]

Y marco

[@tanya4534]

He does and he looks even better now

[@MercedezReign]

He is definitely more attractive in person

[@el.naturalee3994]

Yaasssssss

[@joyferrell2283]

Always loved him 😻

[@jpreddy3665]

Did y’all hear that?! No auto tune needed! That’s sangin !

[@KittyGata314]

That was my most favorite scene ever in any movie

[@dameonjones3102]

Kitty Gata facts

[@indo3000]

It by far makes the movie. And then after when Mr Clark goes to the music teacher to tell her congratulations it’s going to be the new school song brings tears to my eyes.

[@thechriskelleyshow4493]

RIP uncle Kenny. my uncle lead this song in the bathroom.

[@Shalayah2010]

Chris Kelley aw rip to him

[@nubiansis357]

OMG. Rest easy uncle

[@sequoiaphe4324]

My condolences sweetie... may he rest in paradise 💜

[@prettybrowngirl9451]

Awwww!!😢😢 R.I.P

[@msoddballz5763]

R.I.P to your uncle. He was a great singer.

[@mrstorrie812]

The one with the black jacket on still looks the exact same!!!!!

[@tulipsandmoney3598]

Everybody went to Eastside High lol

[@tamara_diamonds422]

April Noel ..not me

[@mauricehinton5889]

Everybody wishes they went to Eastside High!

[@rachaelb982]

Maurice Hinton nope I'm fine with where I went

[@jihadkahok1642]

April Noel not I. I go to kennedy

[@KarboneWolfoxide2]

Paterson was Poppin back then

[@jjganstaking]

Why does this make me happy 😂

[@Kobra6510]

jay brittian because it feels right

[@allthingschanice2485]

Childhood

[@candicesmith8208]

How many of y’all were singing along! ... I was for sure! Can’t stop smiling!

[@petergianakopoulos4926]

I'm.looking at that fine lady

[@silhouettpolefitness]

This my third time. Its nostalgic to my childhood

[@peggyruffinramirez5474]

My father would have been happy to see this reunion. That was one of his favorite scenes in the movie.

[@corneilmadison141]

They actually have a video out back in the day, don't remember the song

[@jenniferrawls3801]

Sams looks the same😅loved thier relationship in the movie.. Lol

[@tae_516]

Lean On Me is on Netflix now!!!! 💜💜💜💜

[@josephhardaway3]

Y'all, I got chills hearing those guys sing that song 🎵!! Magnificent

[@blacbutaflyy2]

I love that scene in the movie.. Sam's looks good as an adult..

[@corneilmadison141]

They actually do have a video out back in the day, forgot the name of the song, I think who ever managed them didn't push them far enough

[@ChesterWilsonJr]

"fair eastside, by thy side we'll stand and always praise thy name praise thy name praise thy name to heaven, yeah lend our hearts and hands to help increase thy fame oh lord the honor yeah, of old eastiside high brings forth our loyalty loyalty loyalty so cheer for dear old eastside high lead on to victory" All aboard all aboard for Eastside High. All aboard all aboard for Eastside High. All aboard all aboard for Eastside High. Get on that train.

[@soblessed2676]

Amen~💕🙏💕

[@loyal4lyfe]

I thought it said "to help increase the faith"

[@pigsnum1]

We sung this at our graduation 😂😂😂😂😂 our principal was PISSED.

[@jcwebb95]

@@pigsnum1 😂🤣⚰

[@ZydecoSoul]

I never really knew the real words lol I was wrong all over the place

[@viperslayer4273]

Boy they haven't lost it one bit; Riff ripping it like they always have. IMO, nobody else should ever sing this song.

[@frankluv]

Viper Slayer Boyz to men could sing it

[@bullyj8195]

Unfortunately, someone has. BJ The Chicago Kid. The name of the track Eastside High 2012 and forever.

[@uduakudoh2988]

I can't believe it, they still had it done after 25years! Sams is still himself. Lean on me.

[@kyra53]

y’all gone make me cry man

[@nellyluscious]

* *OOOOHHHH LORDDDDDDD* * !!!!!!! My part forever!!! They sound better now then they did in that bathroom!!! Oh Eastside High!!!!

[@mooserogers9989]

THEY STILL GOT IT

[@chocolatecapricorn9418]

80’s baby know, they made us watch this in school every year!

[@brittneyhall4000]

Happy 25 Anniversary Lean on me make me smile

[@Stallion30Rose]

They still sound the same 😍

[@b.i.s.o.n.bristolscreenwri305]

I thought it was someone else singing it! These guys CAN really sing

[@indo3000]

Yeah me too. I assumed they weren’t the actual singers. Makes it even more special. 🙏

[@Tashaten]

Most black americans can really!!!

[@jerrell9554]

This song will never get old,,,,,, I listen to this song throughout the day

[@amaru5235]

That song still brings a smile! You have not lost it guys!

[@Logo3_22]

Don’t think there is a better school song in history 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Horacebush]

Man, this still sends chills down my spine every time I hear it!

[@jukedar]

It could have been worst Horace, especially if Mr Omalleys Executive Committee had went into order. They would have taught drug dealers math so they could be successful and know how to make money and vandals to learn how to spell well, write Fuck instead of Fuk

[@amylee8969]

There would be MORE chills if Morgan Freeman showed up and played his role in this 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@lakeshiaball1609]

25yrs later they still sound good#Yougoboyz💯

[@maxxdroid1975]

RIFF had to be one of the most underrated R&B groups of the '90s imo.

[@jondough7777777]

Right!

[@jondough7777777]

Slept on!

[@magnaviousyk3118]

Take me back to '89

[@angelearle7259]

No not Sams I just saw them live in Jersey for their up close and personal 2 show

[@piperleoperfect]

omg wow!!!!!!!!!! after all these years just as good as in the bathroom of eastside high!!!!!!

[@amylee8969]

Morgan Freeman: "😳😳😳😡😡"

[@rhey81]

Only thing missing is a shot of Morgan Freeman popping in real quick with " Sams button that shirt. Nevermind you're suspended"

[@keesimo]

They sang that expeditiously!!

[@pingpittman3106]

Black don't crack!!!! Aging gracefully is always a blessing ❤️❤️❤️

[@Allslove]

This song makes me cry every time. God help the poor. God help black people.

[@silviaagee5732]

Omg! My daughter loved this movie! Loved these guys ! Continued blessings to all of the cast members!

[@watae99]

Code 10 code 10 get those chainz off the doorz the enemy is near......lol.......classic.....thanx rick smiley

[@nerdbamarich2063]

Wow..The nostalgia that just hit me while listening to this damn near brings me to tears..I still remember seeing this as a kid in 1989..These guys still sound amazing after all these yeas...I could listen to this all day long to be honest..I miss the good ol' days!!!

[@2Live4Christ1]

Yesss... I can relate!!!

[@nerdbamarich2063]

2Live4Christ1 Glad to know i'm not alone....

[@elise4ya]

I thought I was the only one feeling the tears lol amazing isn't it.

[@nerdbamarich2063]

elise4ya lol yes it is..I really do miss my childhood and this brings back such fond memories of it..So happy to have moments like this....

[@lateshiachilds3640]

elise4ya No you wasn't. I can watch Lean On Me all day I love that part when they sing the song I just teared up. They still sound the same.

[@skeglar]

This is one of those, if you're black and grew up in America you've definitely seen this movie and know this song. Not word for word, but we know the melody.

[@tomboro9211]

Classic never gets old memories

[@ms.queengrusheiaedmondson5157]

March,2021: How can anyone not like this??? Absolutely beautiful!!! Mr.Morgan Freeman should have been involved or invited as well. It would make a even more beautiful reunion💯✔👍🏿

[@KJStJDC]

This will never get old

[@saranngarcia2928]

OMG there still got the song one of the best parts scenes was the group singing in the bathroom and great movie.

[@michelledarville1122]

yes! you still got it boys

[@DB1Journeys]

I never knew the actual actors did that song. One of the most memorable scenes in that movie. That is so amazing to see and hear you guys so many years later. One of the best movies ever made...period!

[@rhey81]

+MrDBOne Au (mrdboneau) Sams was the only actor. The other 4 who were in the movie were also a band from the 80's, they never really took off though..

[@iveywebb]

They're actually an R&B group called Riff & were really students at Eastside High.

[@clareshaelliott9549]

They Sound Even Better Now Than Back In The Day! Damn They Still Sound Good!

[@truvelllewis8720]

The body gets old but the soul stays young forever!!

[@Mbaliable]

Beautiful voices 👌😍

[@devontheovercomer]

THIS THE COLDEST SCHOOL SONG EVER, THIS SONG GLORIFY GOD AND JESUS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, IT'S NOT JUST THERE VOICE IT'S THE LYRICS, THAT OH LORD ADLIB, THAT'S JESUS THEY TALKN ABOUT⚡☝™😀

[@PinkLadyBB02]

Morgan Freeman would have been so proud still.

[@Getmoney1nonly]

you said that like he died....lol

[@PinkLadyBB02]

Noooooooo didn't mean it like that. Should not have use past tense words I guess. Lol

[@Getmoney1nonly]

Lol

[@kingcoreyd40lfbuses19]

The real joe clark would be proud also

[@krillin876]

@@kingcoreyd40lfbuses19 correct..the real Joe Clark

[@shakinahs]

Oh my God I just find this. Miss these guys. Love these guys. One of my favorite movies.

[@jacobtupua6158]

Riff. Their album is so underrated. Little Girls, I Can't Believe We Just Met...that whole album is money.

[@Yobachi2007]

Sams is out the slammer. Last I heard ol boy was on his way up on a bid for having an Suv full of that stuff for sell and distribution. He wasn't hearing Mr. Clark: "It kills your brain cells, son, it kills your brain cells!"

[@SHutchinson]

+Yobachi2007 He only had to do 30 Days... I guess money talks or he did..

[@Yobachi2007]

Well, hopefully he's doing something else these days.

[@SHutchinson]

True that Yobachi2007

[@TheTabbi1]

+Yobachi2007 - Lol

[@silviatejeda809]

You're right!

[@kareembeaman8080]

Still gives me chills.... DAMN!!!!

[@BD-hn8qw]

Some music is just timeless. Y'all crushed it!!!

[@queendeebs2562]

THEY DID THAT!!!!! They sound better than they did in the freaking movie!!!!

[@jljf2f]

They still got it

[@Monickyey09]

One of my favorite scenes from "Lean On Me". Those dudes are still Fiyah. Love it!!! What a "TBT" moment.

[@RespectGamez]

Fellas. every hair stands up every time I sing, think or hear this song

[@MzDC202]

They still got it 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@Twan2643]

Them boys still got it!!

[@hb120877]

Principal Joe Clark gave them the Motivation..

[@fredajenkins4642]

I Always Think The LightSkin One Was Fine

[@swacfan100]

Sound even better 20 plus yrs later

[@Jamilah1117]

One of my favorite movies of all time!

[@ebenson4778]

I loved it! They killed that. Almost made me cry. But definitely took me back into the movie as when I was watching it as a young girl. Wow! Congrats to those brothas! 🎉🙂👏👏

[@NowNaturalMe]

They still got it!! This really brought a smile to my face.

[@Jess2daleft]

I love this movie and I’m Puerto Rican. Sets a good example. We must show the Kids who are were born in the year of 2000s and up this movie so they can learn.

[@neeshh384]

Watching "Lean On Me" right now. Cannot get old. I searched up these fellas and found this. Awesome 😁

[@baseemahcalamito1278]

46 years old emotional watching this and the sound track well the singing love it

[@d00ks]

I always wondered if that was really them singing or voice over.. I have my answer!

[@babd7176]

suavesitoportu THEY ARE A GROUP CALLED RIFF.

[@GinaJonesStillettoQueen]

Akeem even sams

[@beverlymanning3324]

I was a Senior in high school when this song came out! It still gives me goosebumps!😓

[@Meek2Meek]

I can hear Mr. Clark now. Come here Sam.. pull your pants up, walk in a straight line lmaoooo 😭 Loved this movie so much ❤️

[@greenangellg]

They sound amazing

[@johnny98618]

dude in pink look like somebody uncle who wear a lot of Cologne

[@ShondaL81]

😂😂😂

[@MillionaireWinner]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂😂

[@mimid7901]

😆 😆 😆 lol

[@veronicafitzpatrick3672]

I smelled the cologne through the video 😂

[@tashak1839]

Lmao

[@litakita]

This aged like a fine wine 🍷

[@GOP7100]

I still love it guys beautiful!

[@lovicebrinkman1]

Wow! They look and sound good!

[@eyes3538]

still got it!1 love this song even in the movie!! this section made the movie even more memorable!!!

[@itzraydavid9357]

Yeah yeah yeah this what I'm talking about proud to be born in 87 cant replace the 90s fam

[@abodeoftestimonies1892]

Wow....still listening in 2020 march ..they still gave the spark

[@79tazman]

I love that movie we need more men like Joe Clark in the world

[@Sweetbutterfly461]

It was SO good to see these guys again! Thanks Dish for doing this! Happy 25th Lean on Me! !

[@karensanders5162]

LOVE IT SO BEAUTIFUL VOICE

[@onevoice7]

Man this brings back memories....great movie.

[@mikemedz973]

Yooooo they still sound great!!! 👍👍 😲😲

[@lisaspikes3627]

are you related to the smallwood in Washington DC from the Bible Church worldwide

[@mikemedz973]

Lisa Spikes I dont think so. But then again my father and grandpa had kids all over. Lol so u never kno. If they are a spiritual and musically talented fam, chances are we are related.

[@Naenesa]

I don't know why but im in tears. They still got it!!!

[@jeanwest5]

They still sound good❤️❤️❤️

[@erickabrown1684]

I love it! They don't make movies like this anymore. They can sang too!!!!😍

[@amylee8969]

Morgan Freeman: "Who taught you that song? SPEAK UP!!!!!"

[@stephaniebruner9915]

this brought me back good memories.

[@mizzladythemovement]

Still got it! !!

[@xoxoprincessarmy]

Wow the harmonizng is so beautiful 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🔥🔥🔥🙌🏾

[@lamontbolden4527]

One of them is not an original member. My Uncle Kenny Kelly was the original missing member. Unfortunately he passed away last night. R.I.P. Uncle Kenny

[@mimidudley2058]

I am so sorry to hear that. So sad. Which one was he again?

[@nerdbamarich2063]

so sorry to hear about your loss.

[@Ranbutch75]

Sorry for your loss...Which one is he in the movie?

[@lamontbolden4527]

In the movie he was the one that started the song. Dark skinned dude with the hightop.

[@Ranbutch75]

Lamont Bolden ah man very sorry for your loss. it was on tv last night. forgot how awesome that movie was.