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.

Dont go Please Stay
Ben E. King Lyrics

We've been together for a long time baby
Do you have to leave?
Please don't go girl
I just can't live without you
Please, (so listen to me) don't go girl
Don't go girl

Please don't go girl
You would ruin my whole world
Tell me you'll stay

Never ever go away

I love you
I love you
I guess I always will
Girl, you're my best friend
Girl, you're my love within
I just want you to know
That I will always love you
Oh baby
Tell me you'll stay
Never ever go away

I need you
I need you
I guess I always will
Girl, you're my best friend
Girl, you're my love within
I just want you to know
That I will always love you

Oh baby
Please don't go girl
I'm gonna always love you girl
I'm gonna love you girl until the end of time
Tell me girl, you're gonna always be mine
Please don't go girl
You would ruin my whole world
Tell me you'll stay
Never ever go away

I love you
I love you
I guess I always will
Girl, you're my best friend
Girl, you're my love within
I just want you to know
That I will always love you

Oh baby
Please don't go girl
Please don't go girl
Please don't go girl
Please don't go girl
Please don't go baby
Please don't go girl
Please don't go girl
Please don't go girl
Please don't go darling
Please don't go girl
Please don't go baby no, no
Please don't go girl

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Written by: LARRY JOHNSON, LARRY CURTIS JOHNSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@brendaadams1605

1y↑20

Who else is listening to this timeless classic music in 2022? Omw, I'm so glad to have had the opportunity in my lifetime to grow up with this kind of soulful music..

@rainydais9559

24w↑1

2023! Grew up on it too! If I got on my knees and pleaded!!!!!

@2801561000

23w

The wonderful Rudy Lewis on lead vocals, the best Drifters lead singerof all.

@jenniferstengle674

1y↑5

Brings tear to my eyes! Tears of joy. Oh to be young and in love again!!

@howardbealick8669

41w

July 2023. Wish i could find a woman who loves this music as I do

@creolelady4096

2y↑61

Those who gave this song a thumbs down wouldn't know good music if it slapped them in their faces.

@cheryllochhead4714

47w↑2

Never a truer word said. Its fantastic what a voice that man had like velvet full of pathos and emotion

@denniscain5738

34w↑1

Any song that Burt Bacharach contributed to is a plus in my mind

@kevinmahoney7668

25w↑1

They wouldn't know a good tune if it walked up to em and pissed their eye! Visigoths!
This song is a Desert Island Disc

@paulmurray5655

22w↑4

This is one of my favorite Drifters recording, intense, urgent, and compelling. What a performance. (You can hear "Walk on By" in this early Bacharach offering.) Great post. Thanks. PM

@havingagr8time

36w↑6

Flat out masterpiece of songwriting, singing and arrangement. Kudos to Lewis, the Drifters and Bacharach!

@curtisthomas9295

43w↑3

There is no expiration date when it comes to iconic music

@TheBaylor22

30w↑7

Another classic by one of the greatest groups in the history of rock n roll and rhythm and blues! The Drifters had such an incredible history, with great leads and fabulous background singers, and terrific writers
If I’m not mistaken BertBacharach wrote this song.. Lewis gets a somewhat forgotten, but he more than holds his own with the group’s amazing litany of leads. Clyde McPhatter, Johnny Moore, and Ben E King.
I’m pretty sure there’s never been a group with that kind of legacy!!

@johnmoore562

1y↑23

No auto tune just God given vocals

@josephmastellone9473

5y↑78

this needs to be played on the air today , to show the kids what real music was

@augustusgarton58

2y↑2

Ya Man! Beautiful song, I'm sure Wolfman loved this. song.

@surferpam1

Dance with me, Joseph.

@murielwilliams1257

2y↑26

This. Song. Right. Here!!!💯 I'm 81 years old and remember this as my favorite Drifters' song!!+

@wymell9724

2y↑2

You are you're my sister and this is one of my favorite Drifters songs also love you

@wymell9724

2y↑2

I wish you were still here to sing it with you

@wymell9724

2y↑1

Mario there were so many groups of songs that I love it's hard to say this is my best one but it's in the top five Drip drippity Drop

@woupie44

30w

It was my first single i bought as a child

@claudinetillman6459

10w

Incredible electrifying ❤️ felt 🎶🎵🎤🎶👏🎤💯🙆🤛📀💽👞😻❤️‍🔥💞🤞

@mvhoyt61able

27w↑5

Rudy's voice is fluid and timeless. These early gems are indeed a treasure.

@saidapagan6056

26w↑3

Hadn't heard this song in decades, but isn't it funny how the mind still remembers. Lovely tune!

@errolinshanally8587

1y↑10

Just love hearing this song...I came into the world in 1960 !!!!

@rainydais9559

24w

1980! Would you staaaayyyayyyayy?

@user-ly9ff5dp3f

35w↑1

After RUDY, nothing was ever the same. Today is August 23, 2023, Happy 86th Birthday, Mr. Rudy Lewis, you are still the sweetest lead voice of the Drifters.

@enid2610

43w↑2

July 2023 Still Listening....‼️

@creolelady4096

2y↑19

Still sounds good as it did in 1961. September 1, 2022. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

@cheryllochhead4714

1y↑2

Great version wuth the soulfull harmonious voice of the wonderfull Rudy Lewis

@jerryjeffra6529

2y↑2

Best background music ever.

@johnmoore562

2y↑22

The clarity and control in rudy Lewis vocals are just exceptional

@caribman10

42w↑1

Absolute truth. Rudy was one of a kind. Chuck Jackson's opposite pole.

@eddiemglass

34w↑1

I'm 61 and only knew of the Cryin' Shames version of this song.

@65blackbaby

35w↑1

Today is Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Happy 86th Birthday Rudy. After you nothing was ever the same. Rudy Lewis you are still the sweetest lead singer of the Drifters. "RIP" my dear.

@anitag9160

2y↑26

The best song sung by the Drifters. I was a teenager in those days and I was never a”wall flower when that song played on the jukebox.🇬🇾

@lucytupper69

2y↑30

Rudy Lewis. What a voice! 🤍

@zelmabradford2608

3y↑2

How could I have forgotten this bad jam? Sososo pretty

@amgelthcd8796

12w↑1

Me and my mother used to sing this together in my grandparents car when I was little

@mina-yu4hn

4y↑11

wow what memories i was born in 1955 but remember this music growing up. this is what you call singing had meanings. the age of innocent is long go by. what a unique voice rudy lewis and the drifters had. this years will never come back.

@maureenlockridge9656

born 1953..O.M.G..
.MEMORIES O.M.G....also,"When,my little girl was smiling"( I am the only, girl,)
"Under the boardwalk"..
an,All the others, songs, each a sweet, memory❤.. and I do remember them..
All,Sam Cooke..music..
the beaches...Coney Island..the food....My Dad...the car rides....the warm, breezy, summers air...the sunsets..the block parties...and the Drifters....,I was born, July 4th..1953...the best years... I, sure miss, all of that..
Oh God......no disrespect.. we are in hell.,now .can't, be no worse ,than ,this, what's going on now...just thankful..that, has let me live...I'm, still here...for HIS..purpose... not mine, May God be praise..🙏🏼...feel bad ,for those, growing, up now
#SMH...🙏🏼..Peace to All

@dennisnascimento9985

1y↑8

Rudy Lewis exceptional singer, great voice.

@elbuchito2907

41w

27 club what a shame.

@angelorosario8417

5y↑39

Pure and simple harmony, 🎶🎤🎵🎼 performed by one of the best R&B groups ever recorded! Old School Style! ✌👍

@Nostalgiafor65

3y↑3

To you Dad on this Father’s Day. One of my songs, from “My Time,” that you enjoyed listening to as much as I did. “Nothing is as beautiful as what we see no more!”

@jstroncheck

4y↑4

I met Bill Pinkney in 1983 in Atlantic Beach, NC after his show. He was laid back and kind.

@alvinwconstantine72

2y↑12

My teenage days music.Priceless!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@steveyanovsky5809

14w↑2

Still a magic song!

@n.ivetteferrer2064

7y↑96

Those who gave this song a thumbs down are bitter because they never had anyone ask them to "Please Stay"

@cotswoldcuckoo775

6y↑5

Nilda Ferrer No, it's because the Moody Blues asked them to Go Now !

@creolelady3519

6y↑6

Nilda Ferrer
Exactly thank you for speaking the truth.

@edreebenaker5094

6y↑2

Nilda Ferrer a bunch of assholes out there don't know shit we should know your stuff

@nijolesopher7877

4y↑3

I agree 100%., u nailed it😘💋❤

@mdmdiva5886

4y↑5

the fab drifters and ohrudy ignore haters

3 More Replies...

@risingdragon2292

5y↑59

The Drifters are amazing! This song is beautiful! And if it wasn’t for a group like The Drifters that music wouldn’t be the same without them.

@Deborah318W

These aren't The Drifter's that sang "Under The Boardwalk" ot "Up On The Roof"

@edwardhayes6111

2y↑1

@@Deborah318W Yes. Rudy Lewis sang lead for Up on the Roof. Tragically he died the night before Under the Boardwalk was recorded so fellow group singer Johnny Moore sang lead instead. Johnny had returned to the Drifters after serving in the army and trying a solo career.

@miriammapp3333

2y↑1

H@@Deborah318W

@Deborah318W

@@miriammapp3333 Hey Miriam what's up? Are you old enough to remember "The Drifters"? 🎵

@Deborah318W

2y↑1

@@edwardhayes6111 I'm sorry , I haven't been back here in a little while, so I never saw your comment! Thank you Edward, I really loved The Drifters! 🎵

1 More Replies...

@Ma1nguy

2y↑2

I was in the early years of high school when this came out 1961

@jesserice9446

1y↑2

Can never be DUPLICATED , One SUPERBAD, SUPERJAM!!

@Paul-uc8qj

3y↑26

One of the greatest songs ever made!

@lisachavers2780

6y↑47

Oh my goodness. You took me away from the rest of the world, when you taught me to love you like this. The Drifters.

@joeiron5449

5y↑5

I play this song doing visiting hours on a Sunday at the Juvenile Detention Center in Chicago parents show thank me for playing that song.

@ibcalm24

35w

Happy birthday to you my beloved brother 🤗🤗

@rascal0175

2y↑5

How I loved this decades ago. Yes, I still do.

@robertreilly3752

4y↑10

One of the first R&R groups to use noticable
violins

@hasnat2002

1y↑1

Rudy, you ROCK!

@wymellwilliams1543

2y↑10

One of my all-time favorite groups

@lucytupper69

2y↑6

What a voice! Rudy Lewis!

@alexmay5567

5y↑25

The great Rudy Lewis...another addition to the 27 club

@jayboucher2310

good call

@amirablue1231

7y↑25

this is such a heart touching song

@kristinvermillion3486

4y↑1

PLEASE.. How about a film about rudy lewis and
sam cooke...come on !!!

@georgeharris5719

2y↑1

Ben e king and the drifters just great allways

@palehorseone

46w

Listening to this again, I am simply speechless

@yvonnewheeler6230

2y↑1

You can dance another favourite ❤🎶❤🎶❤🎶

@mikevallen999

5y↑31

Legendary recording....with a great photo of 4 original Drifters....showing Rudy Lewis 2nd from the right on this photo .

@barrycole6162

3y↑3

Doc Greene,Tommy Evans,Rudy, &Charlie Thomas great Drifters

@johnmoore562

2y↑1

Would love to have a time line , and know from the very beginning of how the drifters came into being from clyd mcphatter and the crowns and when which lead singer took over . Does anyone know if rudy Lewis sang with Johnny Moore

@billymaguire59

1y↑2

Made it this far on The NY Times eulogy for Burt Bacharach. Listening to them all. RIP Burt.

@shashaneka

4y↑11

Omg I absolutely loved this song as a child and still do 🤗🤗🤗to my playlist YOU GO 😁💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾☝🏾💞

@wymellwilliams1543

Welcome to the club salt mines also

@newtonforrest8195

Timeless Memories Jamaica 🍻🎶

@LindaOostvogels-pz5yp

Mijn lieve Walther van mij! Ik ga niet weg bij jou. Ik blijf bij jou. Dat beloof ik jou! ❤❤

@user-ss3dj5qd6y

19w

......wow... what a song, i remember it so well

@williamoxendine6121

14w

Love this song they were a great group

@davidoverholt251

4y↑9

AM radio was the best we had back then. Be still my heart when they sang.

@sistervluv3556

4y↑14

I so appreciate all the background details about the Drifters and the recording of this song. I was not quite 6 years old the summer that this song was a hit. I remember it as well as the other two songs that were recorded during the session.

@jenniemorgan5753

A beautiful classic: when voices were the thing vs fancy, studio gimmicks

@georgellaoakry8051

51w

Anything by the Drifter’s is magnificent, this music is fantastic, nothing better than the oldie’s 🤎💕

@anthonyubostwick7762

38w

Remind me of ALL my uncles and the old Zanzibar on Bailou Hill Rd in Nassau Bahamas. Platinum Classics.

@kimberlyreese7736

20w

Daddy love this song. Rip daddy until I join you. You are in Doo Wop Heaven

@carmelamiller7978

2y↑5

Love this song!!!

@frankfiello7904

9y↑26

Remember this one, liked it then, like it now. Thanks

@65blackbaby

49w

"RUDY, RUDY, RUDY, died on this date May 20, 1964, forever missed and appreciated by your fans.

@ibcalm24

35w

Happy birthday to you, my beloved brother

@user-ly9ff5dp3f

35w

@@ibcalm24

@user-ly9ff5dp3f

35w

Nothing more can be said, "The Sweetest Voice of all time."

@haroldgee7295

3y↑4

This Cut is Definitely my all time Drifter tune.

@bumrapp7

8y↑44

Rudy Lewis! One bad brother those were my favorite Drifter song.

@alexandratoma4894

6y↑2

Love this tune !

@seanthony7

5y↑1

I'm with you my brother.

@mysashab

4y↑2

I love RUDY Lewis so much.

@mdmdiva5886

4y↑1

Every song Rudy sang just warm my heart luv.

@jenniferrose779

3y↑2

Such a voice, Rudy Lewis !

@garymorris9571

35w

He was so great.

@rockindaddy6535

4y↑2

🎸 Fantastic DOO WOP ! 😎

@trevbrispo5359

3y↑4

This is greatness!!!!

@bassiehd

6y↑9

This song was also popular in Jamaica, with nice reggae versions by Slim Smith, Dobby Dobson, Paulette and the Lovers, and more.

@peterullmann8093

4y↑2

my favorite drifters song

@geraldinedempsay6214

Enjoyed the music this morning. Haven't heard the Drifter in ages. Please Stay

@garfieldmaloney3861

3y↑3

First Rudy Lewis song with the Drifters after Ben E King’s departure.

@miketheshanmanmangan

4y↑5

my personal all-time DRIFTERS song although I tell people that each DRIFTERS great is always better than other!

@seanthony7

6y↑6

Beautiful harmony

@jasongonsalves8215

3y↑1

Who tf thumbs downed this!?

@darrylevans4401

6y↑8

Rudy Lewis lead on this one just great

@kennyguitarallen5662

4y↑3

love the drifters

@debbieslater6676

5y↑7

This song ,takes me back , although my heart has healed, I remember, maybe I am a little more compassionate, This group is amazing

@hesuscolon7506

4y↑4

These awsome gentle men was a treasure to the world music they did makes me sad but all day at long term with my wife play for her sad yet in a good way

@tonycrist7014

7y↑31

The original and the best

@Timepassages

4y↑5

Great memories.. Great sounds. Now I'm gonna have to hear .."There goes my baby"

@robertlevine4407

5y↑4

Please Stay, Up on the Roof, On Broadway, Spanish Harlem, Under the Boardwalk and of course, Save the Last Dance for Me...

@surferpam1

1y↑1

Manny, thanks for posting another great one!

@stingray100100

7y↑25

Absolute class.

@1953tree

1y↑1

Burt Bacharach

@egbertsouce3895

8y↑13

Excellent history of "Please Stay"........thanks!

@chariotwofilthy8374

4y↑3

Hi edagdwg thanks for sharing love this song knowing he love me for real never let go worth more then gold God at work Linda j peace ❤️ 💯🌈 🌈🐻🌹 🌹

@amirablue1231

7y↑16

this is such a great song

@oldiefanatic

5y↑1

This music never gets old or tired. Thanks to the Drifters and the writers for such great music.

@wymellwilliams1543

We had so many great groups back then people just don't understand

@yvonnewheeler6230

6y↑14

Beautiful still have this LP in my loft and many more just love this song❤❤

@bertc2314

4y↑1

You have the LP? I'm envious, how studious of you.

@wymellwilliams1543

2y↑1

Can you please make a copy

@wymellwilliams1543

2y↑2

Funny could you please make a copy of it and I'll be forever thankful

@wymell9724

2y↑1

Love you Ronnie we're having some beautiful thoughts and such a beautiful mind of thinking of music

@wymell9724

2y↑1

But let me get your same old memories

1 More Replies...

@Tonithenightowl

7y↑110

Apparently 7 people need to be put on the rack. There is no such thing as a bad Drifters song. Everyone knows that. :o)

@seanthony7

5y↑2

Right on. One of my favorite Doo Wop singing groups of all time period.

@tausha46

5y↑2

THEY ARE BRAIN DEAD@@seanthony7

@davidrivera9743

3y↑2

@@tausha46 they don't have dad's or Grandad's that play their music.

@jesserice2309

3y↑1

Don't worry bout those 7, their just Spoil Bratz seeking attention😣🙄😆😥

@tonithenightowl1836

3y↑1

@@jesserice2309 It's up to 69.... Heads are gonna roll. lol

@davidrivera9743

Missing my Sunday night oldies fix. Rock around the clock to British Invasion oldies.

@lindaoostvogels3008

Ik ga douchen maar ik ga niet weg bij jou. Ik hou van jou. Ik hou zoveel van jou. Om half 2 ga ik met Jan naar het Ossekopke

@cuttlerfish

4y↑12

One of their best songs

@blackpool321

5y↑2

Love this ,but also love Marc Almond version

@jamesprevard6555

My second time around with these guys on YouTube...Way? Ran out of words.

@markpayne867

8y↑24

this version is the best

@madeleinebelle2105

4y↑7

Yes, the actual original Drifters said "please stay"...when I danced with them on stage for 3 songs!..at the Top Rank in Southampton around 1970?

@capt3662

4y↑2

favorite Drifters song, thanks for posting

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