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 in the Name of Love
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do it in the name of love
(Do it) baby (do it)
I like to see you
(Do it in the name of love)
Oh, woman, why don't you (do it)
Why don't you do it
(Do it in the name of love)
My mama told me a long time ago
Remember, in love
There's no easy road
You've got to give more than you get
You never know what to expect
Hey, sometimes you're up (up)
Sometimes you're down (down)
Sometimes you whole word will
Come crashing down (crashing down)
Oh, love can be
No more than you make it
Hang on in there
And you're gonna make it
Just get your strength
From the Lord above
Hey, do it (do it) do (do it)
Do it in the name of love
(Do it) oh, yeah (do it)
Why don't you do it
In the name of love (do it)
You've got to work (work)
Fight (fight)
Try with all your might
Get your strength from
The Lord up above, oh, oh, hey
Do it in the name of love
(Do it) and I'd like to see you try
(Do it) why don't you
(Do it in the name of love)
I'd like to see you try (do it)
Why don't you (do it) oh, no, no
(Do it in the name of love)
There's temptations all around
Don't you let it get you down
Think about your woman
(Think about your woman)
Think about your man
(Think about your man)
Keep it together
Stay hand in hand
(Hand in hand)
Sometimes you cause
Each other so much pain
And then again
You're sweet as sugar cane
You've got to show
What you give for each other
Then you will succeed as lovers
Just get your strength from
The Lord up above (Lord above)
And do it, do it
Do it in the name of love
(Do it) yeah, hey, hey (do it)
Why don't you do it in
The name of love (do it)
You've got to work (work)
Fight (fight)
Try with all your might
Get your strength from
The Lord up above
(From the Lord above) oh
Do it in the name of love
(Do it) why don't you try (do it)
Do it, do it, do it
(Do it in the name of love)
Hey, honey
Why don't you try (do it)
You can do it (do it)
Why don't you
(Do it in the name of love)
The song “Do It In The Name Of Love” by Ben E. King is about the ups and downs of relationships and how love takes work and effort. The lyrics encourage partners to persevere through the tough times and work together for the success of their love. The song begins with the line, “Do it, do it, you can do it, do it in the name of love,” which sets the tone for the message of the song. The singer of the song is encouraging his lover to keep going, to work hard and not give up on love.
The song’s chorus takes on a gospel-like tone, reminding those in love to seek strength from the Lord above. As the song progresses, it acknowledges that relationships can be difficult and that there are temptations all around, but partners should think about each other and fight for their love. The lyrics also suggest that success in love requires partners to give more than they receive and shows that love can be both sweet and painful.
Overall, “Do It In The Name Of Love” emphasizes the importance of perseverance and hard work in love. The song encourages partners to fight for their relationship and reminds them that their efforts will pay off in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Do it, do it, you can do it
Encouraging listeners to take action despite the difficulties they may face
Do it in the name of love
Suggesting that performing actions motivated by love can make these difficult tasks easier to accomplish
(Do it) baby (do it)
Affectionate address to the listener
I like to see you
Encouraging the listener with support and a desire to see them succeed
(Do it in the name of love)
Reiterating the idea that actions done for love are more likely to succeed
Oh, woman, why don't you (do it)
Specifically addressing women for encouragement
I'd like to see you try (do it)
Emphasizing the desire to see the listener accomplish their goals
Why don't you do it
Question to prompt the listener into taking action
(Do it in the name of love)
Reminding the listener of the effectiveness of acting out of love
My mama told me a long time ago
Citing advice from a wise and experienced source
Remember, in love
Highlighting the importance of love in one's actions
There's no easy road
Acknowledging the difficulty of pursuing love and its accompanying actions
You've got to give more than you get
Implying that acts of love require sacrifice and selflessness
You never know what to expect
Highlighting the unpredictability of love and its related actions, but also signaling the potential for positive outcomes
Hey, sometimes you're up (up)
Acknowledging that there are good times and positive emotions in relationships and life
Sometimes you're down (down)
Acknowledging that there are tough times and negative emotions in relationships and life
Sometimes your whole word will
Implying that love can have a significant impact on one's life
Come crashing down (crashing down)
Highlighting the potential for negative effects of love and its related actions
Oh, love can be
Acknowledging the importance of love
No more than you make it
Suggesting that one's actions can shape the nature of love and its effectiveness
Hang on in there
Encouraging listeners to persevere through difficult times
And you're gonna make it
Reiterating the theme of perseverance and predicting eventual success
Just get your strength
Highlighting the importance of inner strength and resilience
From the Lord above
Encouraging the listener to rely on a higher power
Hey, do it (do it) do (do it)
Reiterating the need for action
Do it in the name of love
Emphasizing the effectiveness of love in motivating one's actions
(Do it) oh, yeah (do it)
Encouraging the listener with enthusiasm
Why don't you do it
Question to prompt the listener into taking action
In the name of love (do it)
Reiterating the theme of love as a driving force for action
You've got to work (work)
Acknowledging the effort required for success
Fight (fight)
Encouraging diligence and perseverance
Try with all your might
Encouraging the listener to give their best effort
Get your strength from
Assigning the source of inner strength
The Lord up above, oh, oh, hey
Reiterating the importance of faith and reliance on a higher power
There's temptations all around
Highlighting the potential negative influences on one's actions
Don't you let it get you down
Encouraging the listener to resist temptation and remain resilient
Think about your woman
Directing male listeners to consider the importance of their partner
(Think about your woman)
Reiterating the importance of considering one's partner
Think about your man
Directing female listeners to consider the importance of their partner
(Think about your man)
Reiterating the importance of considering one's partner
Keep it together
Encouraging unity and resilience in relationships
Stay hand in hand
Reiterating the idea of unity and partnership
(Hand in hand)
Emphasizing the importance of partnership and unity
Sometimes you cause
Acknowledging that partners can harm one another
Each other so much pain
Highlighting the negative impact that harmful actions can have on relationships
And then again
Signaling the potential for forgiveness and recovery
You're sweet as sugar cane
Highlighting the positive emotions and experiences that can occur in relationships
You've got to show
Emphasizing that love requires action and demonstration
What you give for each other
Highlighting the importance of sacrifice and selflessness in relationships
Then you will succeed as lovers
Predicting positive outcomes when partners demonstrate love and selflessness
Just get your strength from
Reiterating the importance of inner strength and faith
The Lord up above (Lord above)
Highlighting the importance of faith and reliance on a higher power
And do it, do it
Reiterating the need for action
Do it in the name of love
Reiterating the effectiveness of love in driving one's actions
(Do it) why don't you try (do it)
Encouraging the listener to take action
Do it, do it, do it
Reiterating the need for action
(Do it in the name of love)
Reiterating the importance of love in motivating one's actions
Hey, honey
Affectionate address to the listener
Why don't you try (do it)
Encouraging the listener to take action
You can do it (do it)
Encouraging the listener with confidence
Why don't you
Question to prompt the listener into taking action
(Do it in the name of love)
Reiterating the effectiveness of love in driving one's actions
Contributed by Abigail P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
soap1919jt
Good old fashioned party song, from back in the day. This was REAL rhythm and blues. THIS is music! I almost jumped up from my desk and started dancin' here at work! Wooo!
Gordon Aglass
Could anyone believe that i'm hearing this song for the first time after over 37years now? I have been searching for it U.T. for so long. I recall when a DJ laid this song on us during a high party and how I danced to it with a girl later became my friend for pretty long time. I quite agree with soap1919jt that this used to be a real party song then. Much tanx to La Mheo for uploading this.
e37a
Been looking for this song for over 30 years!! Thanks for the post!!!
Haras Fyre / Patrick Grant
I had fun writing this song together with my (then girlfriend) Gwen Guthrie. And we were more than thrilled to have Ben E. King record it. Now, I thank you for having uploaded it. Just Do It - whatever it is - In The Name Of Love.
La Mheo
Thanks to you for stopping by.. Are you really Mr Fyre?!
Haras Fyre / Patrick Grant
Yes, I keep hoping to be 'me.' As an artist, there is constant pressure to 'be/do what other successful artists are/do' because most decision makers just want to make fast money, without a care about who you REALLY are. So it is difficult to get recognized for just being yourself. But I like this quote, supposedly from Oscar Wilde: "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." Thank you for helping me.
La Mheo
Well, it's a pleasure Mr Fyre! Thanks for appreciating my upload :)
A8M
Going hard in 2018! Deep deep DEEP steppers cut!
D. Scott
Just heard this on Saturday mornings Rythym Revue with Felix Hernandez on WBGO Newark, NJ. Won’t be the last time I hear this song!! Wow!
EmaJack99
Everytime I come back here to listen to this song I try to convince myself to do not buy this vinyl buuuuut... It's an amazing song and I want to get it!