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 You Wanna Do a Thing
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you wanna go?
Do you wanna leave?
Do you wanna go?
Do you wanna leave?
Do you wanna Leave?
Do you wanna leave with me?
I can't think clearly
Yeah, she asked me, do you love me?
When I tell her no, she just wanna leave
Do you wanna go? Do you wanna leave
Do you wanna go? Do you wanna leave
(Yeah ok)
And she tell me, that she don't want me
Yeah, but I tell her (yeah what you say)
Yeah you crossed the line, yeah you gotta leave
Yeah you crossed the line, yeah you gotta leave
Yeah these mountains I'm about to climb (they so high)
You can't do what I do, bitch you are not on my level, no
I don't know how to explain it to you, no
(Yeah how do I say that)
Yeah, we get back from this long walk, havin' a long talk
But I won't listen to you
Yeah, and then she asked me, do you love me?
When I tell her no, she just wanna leave
She just wanna go, Do you wanna leave?
Do you wanna go? Do you wanna leave?
And I asked her, do you love me?
Geeky Members Only
The lyrics to "Do You Wanna Do a Thing" by Ben E. King depict a conversation between two people who are grappling with the decision to stay in a relationship or leave. The repetitive phrases of "Do you wanna go? Do you wanna leave?" express the uncertainty and contemplation they are experiencing. The singer acknowledges their own confusion, admitting they can't think clearly. This suggests a state of emotional turmoil and indecision.
The song also highlights the dynamic between the two individuals. The line "Yeah, she asked me, do you love me? When I tell her no, she just wanna leave" implies that the partner's desire to leave stems from a lack of love in the relationship. The repetition of this line further emphasizes the strain caused by this question.
As the song progresses, the singer asserts their own boundaries and asserts that the partner has crossed a line. They declare that the partner must leave, indicating that they have reached a breaking point and are no longer willing to tolerate certain behavior. The implied mountain climbing suggests the singer is ready to overcome challenges and rise above the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah Yeah, Yeah Yeah Yeah
Expressing enthusiasm and agreement, emphasizing the following message
Do you wanna go?
Are you willing to embark on a new experience?
Do you wanna leave?
Are you seeking an escape from your current situation?
Do you wanna Leave?
Are you contemplating leaving behind what no longer serves you?
Do you wanna leave with me?
Are you open to joining me on a journey towards something better?
I can't think clearly
My thoughts are clouded and confused
So, do you wanna leave?
Considering the lack of mental clarity, do you still desire a change?
Yeah, she asked me, do you love me?
Inquisitively, she questioned my feelings towards her
When I tell her no, she just wanna leave
Upon hearing my negative response, she immediately desires to part ways
And she tell me, that she don't want me
She expresses her lack of desire towards me
Yeah, but I tell her (yeah what you say)
However, I retort by asking her what she means by that
Yeah you crossed the line, yeah you gotta leave
You have overstepped boundaries, and now it is necessary for you to depart
Yeah these mountains I'm about to climb (they so high)
These challenges I am about to face are incredibly daunting
You can't do what I do, bitch you are not on my level, no
You are incapable of performing the same tasks as me, you are not at my level
I don't know how to explain it to you, no
I am uncertain of how to convey this message to you
Yeah, we get back from this long walk, havin' a long talk
Upon returning from our extended stroll, engaging in a deep conversation
But I won't listen to you
However, I choose not to heed your words
And then she asked me, do you love me?
Continuing to seek reassurance, she questions my affection for her
When I tell her no, she just wanna leave
Upon receiving another negative response, she immediately desires to depart
She just wanna go, Do you wanna leave?
She simply wants to depart, prompting me to consider if I also desire to leave
Do you wanna go? Do you wanna leave?
Are you inclined to embark on a new journey or seek an escape?
And I asked her, do you love me?
In turn, I question her feelings towards me
Geeky Members Only
An unrelated phrase, possibly indicating a group or community
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Nolan Larson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind