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.
Do It Now
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're looking for you
The man in the suit
That man in the suit
Feel's like the flu
Yet they say it's brand new
But it's all soup now
Love seeps out from the rain
Seems to fall apart in every way
It's all soup now
You could be there, staring at nothing
And it's all soup now
It's all soup now
You could be there, staring at nothing
And it's all soup now
It's all soup now
And it was all soup now
It's all soup now
It was all soup now
It was all soup now
And it was all soup now
In Ben E. King's song "The Beginning of It All," the lyrics convey a sense of confusion and uncertainty. The opening lines, "There's a cat on the roof, they're looking for you, the man in the suit, that man in the suit," sets a mysterious tone, suggesting someone is being pursued or searched for. The image of a cat on the roof symbolizes a watchful presence, potentially representing someone with power or authority.
The following lines, "Feels like the flu, yet they say it's brand new, but it's all soup now," further emphasize the confusion and ambiguity. The mention of the flu alludes to an illness, but the phrase "it's all soup now" suggests a breakdown or chaos, as if everything has become a mess. The repetition of this line emphasizes the idea that whatever was once familiar or predictable has now become disorganized and unpredictable.
The lyrics then shift to the theme of love, with the lines "Love seeps out from the rain, seems to fall apart in every way." Here, the rain serves as a metaphor for emotions, suggesting that love is slipping away and disintegrating. The phrase "staring at nothing" implies a sense of emptiness or loss, as if one is left in a state of confusion and despair.
Overall, "The Beginning of It All" paints a picture of a turbulent and uncertain situation, where familiar structures and emotions are crumbling, leaving the listener in a state of disarray and searching for meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a cat on the roof
There is something unusual or unexpected happening
They're looking for you
Someone is searching or seeking you
The man in the suit
Referring to a person of authority or power
That man in the suit
Reiterating the presence of the person in authority
Feel's like the flu
It gives a similar sensation to being unwell
Yet they say it's brand new
Despite claims of novelty, it seems familiar or unoriginal
But it's all soup now
Everything has become chaotic or confused
It was all soup now
In the past, everything was already chaotic or confused
Love seeps out from the rain
Love is slowly fading away or dissipating
Seems to fall apart in every way
It appears that love is unraveling and disintegrating in various aspects
You could be there, staring at nothing
You might find yourself in a state of emptiness or detachment
And it's all soup now
And the overall situation has become chaotic or confused
It's all soup now
Everything is currently chaotic or confused
It was all soup now
In the past, everything was already chaotic or confused
It's all soup now
Everything is currently chaotic or confused
And it was all soup now
In the past, everything was already chaotic or confused
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Archy Marshall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@trixoan1502
When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No, I won't be afraid
Oh, I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me
So darlin', darlin', stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand
Stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No, I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me
And darlin', darlin', stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now
Stand by me, stand by me
And darlin', darlin', stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now
Stand by me, stand by me
Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Won't you stand by
@jesserowbotham
I was adopted by my father who was African American I was a Caucasian boy. I was bullied all the time because my father and I looked so different but he would always tell me, we may look a little different on the outside but we are all the same it’s not what counts on The outside but what’s inside you as a person that’s where your real worth is .my father was an amazing man I worked hard In all aspects whether it would be school training martial arts self defence.
This man was truly my real father no one could make me feel otherwise.
Unfortunately 2 years ago he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer very low life expectancy he battled on as he does he did everything he could to fight the cancer but slowly he deteriorated and
Then it was all of a sudden he was in his death bed.
He passed and we played
This song at his funerals which was one of his favourite as.
Everyone I hear this song I hurt so much just all the emotion coming bag from
Dad, but I also love
It because it make m e feel so close to him once
Again even though I know he’s not with us…
@JianKaruro0048
🎶 So darlin', darlin', stand by me
Oh, stand by me........
Lumalabas, lumalabas
Banyo Queen 🎶
😅😅😅😅😅
I'm from the Philippines 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭
Merry Christmas, everyone ❄️☃️🎅🎄
Maligayang Pasko sa ating lahat ❄️☃️🎅🎄
MABUHAY!!!!! 🙌🙌🙌
@harleyatkins2008
In 1968 I head Ben E. King sing this song at a small club on the coast of SC. King had a small band of 3 or 4 guys and I can still remember the single violin. The venue was not air conditioned. I was 18. The girl I was with was 17. 52 years later we are still a couple. And I still love the song.
@paxi4165
Harley Atkins awwwwwwww
@mandrew296
That's so sweet. Very cool to see a fellow South Carolinian in the comments!
@aviralmittal89
May you guys have a long and happy life ❤️
@adrianrubionavarro4256
Wow
@toprock1301
Much respect sir. I tip my hat
@atlui415
When the boys are gone and you can listen to real music
@narfazlee5162
Be proud of your music taste bro
@tonov451
FAXXXXX
@frostysugartits1725
@@tonov451 “YOU’RE FIRED” back to the future reference...