Ben E. King (born Benjamin Earl Nelson in September 28, 1938 (died of natur… Read Full Bio ↴Ben E. King (born Benjamin Earl Nelson in September 28, 1938 (died of natural causes, aged 76 on April 30, 2015.) in Henderson, North Carolina) was an American soul and pop singer. He is best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", a top ten hit in both 1961 and 1986.

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.

Don't Take Your Love from Me
Ben E. King Lyrics

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Tear a star from out the sky and the sky feels blue
Tear a petal from the rose and the rose weeps too
Take your heart away from mine and mine will surely break
My life is yours to take, so please keep the spark awake

Would you take the wings from birds so that they can't fly?
Would you take the ocean's roar and leave just a sigh?
All this, your heart won't let you do

This is what I beg of you
Don't take your love from me

All this, your heart won't let you do
This is what I beg of you

Don't take your love from me
Don't take your love from me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ben E. King's song "Don't Take Your Love from Me" convey a deep sense of vulnerability and dependency on the other person in the relationship. The song paints a vivid picture of how important the other person is to the singer's life, as symbolized by tearing a star from the sky or a petal from the rose. These actions show how taking even a small piece of something can cause drastic changes and upset the balance of the universe. Similarly, the singer's heart is so intertwined with the other person's that the thought of them leaving is unbearable.

The second verse of the song employs powerful imagery to convey the depth of the singer's feelings. The idea of taking the wings from birds so they can't fly or the ocean's roar and leaving just a sigh highlights the destructive impact of removing something essential from its natural form. The idea is that the other person's love is similarly essential to his own emotional well-being, and he is begging them not to take it away.

Overall, the song is a classic ballad about the deep connection between two individuals and the importance of maintaining that connection. It highlights the vulnerability and dependency inherent in loving someone deeply, and serves as a powerful reminder to appreciate and cherish those we love.

Don't Take Your Love from MeBen E. King Lyrics

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Don't Take Your Love from Me
Ben E. King Lyrics