In 1958, Ben Nelson joined a doo wop group, The Five Crowns. Later that same year, The Drifters' manager fired the members of the group and replaced them with The Five Crowns, who had performed several engagements with The Drifters. He co-wrote the first hit by the new version of The Drifters, "There Goes My Baby" (1959). He also sang lead, using his birth name, on "Save the Last Dance for Me," a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, "Dance With Me," "This Magic Moment," "I Count the Tears," and other The Drifters hits.
In 1960 he left the group after failing to gain a salary increase and a fairer share of the group's royalties. At this point he assumed the more memorable stage name Ben E. King in preparation for a solo career. Remaining on Atlantic, King scored his first solo hit with the stylish, Latin-tinged ballad "Spanish Harlem" (1961). "Stand by Me" was his next recording. "Stand by Me", written by King along with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller was voted one of the Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America. "Stand by Me" and "Spanish Harlem" were named as two of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and were both also given a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.
King's records continued to place well on the pop charts until 1963, when British pop bands began to dominate the popular music scene. His hits after 1963 were "What is Soul?" (1967), "Supernatural Thing, part 1" (1975), and the re-issue in 1986 of "Stand by Me" following the song's use as the theme music to the movie of the same name.
Auf Weidersehn My Dear
Ben E. King Lyrics
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If you were there you'd see
Two lovers in the moonlight beneath the linden tree
Sweet violins are playing
And to his love forever saying
Come let us go down lovers lane
Once more to sing love's own refrain
Auf wiedersehen, my dear
Here in your arms I can't remain,
So let me kiss you once again
Soon we must say auf wiedersehen
Auf wiedersehen, my dear
Your love will cling to me through the lonely daytime
Each night will bring to me the magic memory of May-time
I know my heart won't beat again
Until the day we meet again
Sweetheart, goodbye, auf wiedersehen,
Auf wiedersehen, my dear
Your love will cling to me through the lonely daytime
Each night will bring to me the magic memory of May-time
I know my heart won't beat again
Until the day we meet again
Sweetheart, goodbye, auf wiedersehen
Auf wiedersehen, my dear
The lyrics of Ben E. King's song "Auf Wiedersehen My Dear" are a reflection of love and longing. The song is set in Vienna where two lovers are enjoying their time in each other's company. The romantic melody of violins adds to the charm of the setting. The lovers sing love's refrain on lovers lane, knowing that they will soon have to bid goodbye to the moment and each other. The song is a reflection of the transience of love and the realization that some moments have to come to an end.
The lyrics are about saying goodbye to a lover and the pain that comes with it. The singer knows that he cannot remain in the arms of his beloved and must part ways. He is aware that the memory of his lover will cling to him in the daytime and bring him solace in the lonely hours of the night. The song implies that the singer's heart will not beat again until he meets his lover again. The song resonates with anyone who has experienced the pain of separation.
Overall, "Auf Wiedersehen My Dear" is a song about the beauty and transience of love. It speaks of the pain of separation and the longing for each other. The romantic setting of Vienna and the sweet melody of violins enhance the song's message.
Line by Line Meaning
It happened in Vienna
The story being told took place in Vienna
If you were there you'd see
The scene being described is so picturesque, one could only fully understand it by seeing it with their own eyes
Two lovers in the moonlight beneath the linden tree
A romantic couple is pictured sitting beneath the moonlit leaves of a linden tree
Sweet violins are playing
The atmosphere is enhanced by the sounds of charming violins filling the air
And to his love forever saying
The man is expressing his love for his partner in passionate, heartfelt words
Come let us go down lovers lane
The couple is being invited to stroll down a path named for lovers
Once more to sing love's own refrain
The two people are returning to a spot where they've been before to sing a familiar love song
Though we must say auf wiedersehen
Despite their desire to stay together, the couple must soon part ways
Auf wiedersehen, my dear
An affectionate way of saying goodbye in German
Here in your arms I can't remain,
Although being close to their love is comforting, the reality is they can't stay in each other's embrace forever
So let me kiss you once again
A request for one last kiss before saying goodbye
Soon we must say auf wiedersehen
The impending farewell is approaching quickly
Your love will cling to me through the lonely daytime
The love they share will be a source of comfort to the person who's being left behind during the day
Each night will bring to me the magic memory of May-time
The memories of their time together will be etched in the person's mind, and will feel like they happened only recently
I know my heart won't beat again
Their heart aches and will be incomplete until they're reunited with their love
Until the day we meet again
The hope and anticipation of being reunited adds strength to their heart
Sweetheart, goodbye, auf wiedersehen,
A bittersweet farewell, sprinkled with German terms of endearment
Auf wiedersehen, my dear
A parting farewell, with a longing to see each other again
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Milton Ager, Al Goodhart, Al Hoffman, Ed G Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Norma J.
Thanks for the memories, loved most of Ben E. King's songs when I was young, still do.
Lyn X
love this song
Joe Sampson
Great! Was a hit in Melbourne, Australia.
Brildidge
I take your point !
steelneedles
Why didn't somebody tell him how to pronounce Auf Wiedersehen properly ?
kafenwar
It's America.😃