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.
Cry No More
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So wipe your tears and put on your makeup
I don't wanna see you cry no more
Put on your heels and dress it up
I don't wanna see you cry no more
You ain't gone cry no more you ain't gone cry no more
So wipe your tears and put on your makeup
Put on your heels and dress it up
I don't wanna see you cry no more
You ain't gone cry no more you ain't gone cry no more
Show me a cash route cause I got to have my own
Show me a fast route I just want to buy my momma a home
One thing I'll never do is fold
Won't catch me driving myself insane
I stay to myself and they label me lame
I'm giving out orders like major Payne
When you hear my voice you can feel the pain
I know how it feels to be left in the rain
Say she getting tired of the arguments you breaking her heart again
I bought her pina coldas
She want a whole lotta me
Baby don't you run from me
Don't you go
I have you cummin some more
Money be talking plus the way that walking
Shh hear a knock at the door
Hustle and get it it's confirmed when you send it
Now I'm tumbin through more
Nigga ain't gang
Bitch sayin names damn
Pussy you told
Nigga you stupid or
Nigga you dumb
You're a rat and you reaching for crumbs
Only The strong live on
Jimmy cologne
Bite on the peach taste like plums
Tell me you looking for blessings
You Can't stress it but tell me are you prepared when it comes
Granny I love you Je t'aime momma
Nigga you hating and that's on your mom
I seen rain turning to snow
Please say why you so cold
I know the world getting cold and colder
Always protecting my soul
Plus I never put stress on my soul no
Annibus got the beyonds
Keep Look over shoulders ma'an
Keep Look over shoulders ma'an
Ain't that some shit you speaking facts I never told you
How you a queen
And you cook but that's not soul food
Scratch on my back
Spank the on kitty ooo oooo
Ain't that some shit you speaking facts I never told you
How you a queen
And you cook but that's not soul food
Scratch on my back
Spank the on kitty ooo oooo
So wipe your tears and put on your makeup
I don't wanna see you cry no more
Put on your heels and dress it up
I don't wanna see you cry no more
You ain't gone cry no more you ain't gone cry no more
So wipe your tears and put on your makeup
I don't wanna see you cry no more
Put on your heels and dress it up
I don't wanna see you cry no more
You ain't gone cry no more you ain't gone cry no more
The lyrics of "Cry No More" by Ben E. King convey a message of support to a person who has been hurt and is crying. The song encourages the person to wipe their tears, put on their makeup, and dress up. The repeated chorus emphasizes that the singer does not want to see the person cry anymore. The lyrics suggest that the person has been hurt by a relationship that keeps hurting them, and the singer acknowledges their pain. The bridge's lyrics add another layer to the song, with the singer talking about the struggles of his own life and how he has overcome them. The final verse, with its sexual lyrics, seems disconnected from the rest of the song's meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Oooo yeah yeah ohhhhh
Introductory non-verbal sounds
So wipe your tears and put on your makeup
Stop crying and fix your appearance
I don't wanna see you cry no more
I don't want to witness your sadness anymore
Put on your heels and dress it up
Put on fancy clothes and shoes
You ain't gone cry no more you ain't gone cry no more
You won't cry anymore, you won't cry anymore
Show me a cash route cause I got to have my own
I need to make my own money and have financial independence
Show me a fast route I just want to buy my momma a home
I want to quickly earn enough money to buy a home for my mother
One thing I'll never do is fold
I will never give up or surrender
Won't catch me driving myself insane
I won’t allow myself to become mentally unstable
I stay to myself and they label me lame
Some may consider me uncool because I keep to myself
I'm giving out orders like major Payne
I'm taking control and giving orders like a drill instructor
When you hear my voice you can feel the pain
My voice conveys the pain and struggle of my life
I know how it feels to be left in the rain
I am familiar with the feeling of abandonment and loneliness
Say she getting tired of the arguments you breaking her heart again
She's exhausted from our constant arguments and me repeatedly hurting her emotionally
I bought her pina coldas
I purchased drinks for her
She want a whole lotta me
She wants more out of me, not just physical affection
Baby don't you run from me
Please don't distance yourself from me
Don't you go
Please stay with me
I have you cummin some more
I will continue to provide you with pleasure
Money be talking plus the way that walking
I exude confidence and success
Shh hear a knock at the door
Someone is knocking, please be quiet
Hustle and get it it's confirmed when you send it now I'm tumbin through more
If you work hard and earn money, you will have more to spend
Nigga ain't gang
I am not a part of a gang or criminal group
Bitch sayin names damn
Someone is spreading rumors about me
Pussy you told
You revealed confidential information
Nigga you stupid or Nigga you dumb
You are foolish or ignorant
You're a rat and you reaching for crumbs
You are unimportant and scrambling for small rewards
Only The strong live on
Only the resilient and determined survive
Jimmy cologne
A type of men's cologne
Bite on the peach taste like plums
The peach tastes like plums when bitten
Tell me you looking for blessings
Are you seeking blessings in your life?
You Can't stress it but tell me are you prepared when it comes
You can't control when blessings or opportunities come, but are you ready to take advantage of them?
Granny I love you Je t'aime momma
Grandmother, I love you. Je t'aime, mother.
Nigga you hating and that's on your mom
You are full of hate and that's an issue with your own mother
I seen rain turning to snow
I've witnessed a change or transformation
Please say why you so cold
Why are you acting so distant and cold?
I know the world getting cold and colder
The world is becoming more cruel and harsh
Always protecting my soul
I am always guarding my soul and emotional wellbeing
Plus I never put stress on my soul no
I never allow myself to become emotionally burdened or stressed out
Annibus got the beyonds
Unknown meaning, possible reference to Egyptian mythology
Keep Look over shoulders ma'an
Be cautious and watch your back, man
Ain't that some shit you speaking facts I never told you
You're speaking truth that I didn't reveal to you
How you a queen And you cook but that's not soul food
Just because you cook, doesn't make you a queen who provides soulful, comforting food
Scratch on my back Spank the on kitty ooo oooo
Unknown sexual reference
So wipe your tears and put on your makeup
Stop crying and fix your appearance
I don't wanna see you cry no more
I don't want to witness your sadness anymore
Put on your heels and dress it up
Put on fancy clothes and shoes
You ain't gone cry no more you ain't gone cry no more
You won't cry anymore, you won't cry anymore
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: HOWARD, Harlan Howard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MegaTightMike
Beat ballad heaven.
@tygerstripe
Danced to this at Barnsley Trades 04.07.14 then went on to Whitby soul weekender life doesn't get much better keep on dancing forever . KTF GG
@MrPopboot
bert berns and jerry ragavoy team up with Ben E King marvelous
@richyoldman1
This is just so , so , so , so good. Added to my play list last month.
@jimmybarker4900
lov e this
@aobrathecobra
BIG RECORD AT THE GONDOLA CLUB IN HULL 1965
@19679163
Masterpiece
@antonygilbey8068
class
@bennyjazzful
I AGREE 100&
@lekalasoul
nice one!!!