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.
Down Home
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
there used to be rivers and trees
fresh bread every single morning
and sweet magnolia in the breeze
Oh, fishing lines and young dreams
Oh, I hear them calling to me
but there's no way to get down home
Wish I could leave this big town
city living ain't living to me
but there's no way to get down home
No you can't retrieve it
cuz once you leave it
Oh, down home's just a memory
Down home... Oh, down home
The song "Down Home" is a nostalgic ballad that expresses longing for the simpler and happier days of the past. The lyrics describe a place where the rivers flow freely, the trees stand tall, and the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of magnolia flowers. The singer expresses his fond memories of waking up to the smell of fresh bread every morning and the peaceful sounds of fishing lines and young dreams. The words "oh, I hear them calling to me" express the sound of the memories that he has of his childhood home, but the singer laments that it is just a memory now, and there is no way to get back to that simpler time.
The song captures the longing for a simpler life that many people feel when they look back at the past. The lyrics are evocative and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of a childhood home that the singer misses dearly. The repetition of "Down home... Oh, down home" at the beginning and end of each verse emphasizes the sentimentality of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Down home... Oh, down home
Referring to a sense of nostalgia and homesickness for a place that no longer exists as it was.
there used to be rivers and trees
Recalling the natural beauty of the place that is now gone, replaced by development.
fresh bread every single morning
Remembering the comforting routine and smell of homemade bread, made by people who knew each other.
and sweet magnolia in the breeze
Reflecting on the sensory experiences of the place, the scent of flowers carried on the wind.
Oh, fishing lines and young dreams
Connecting the memories of the place to youthful innocence and the pursuit of simple pleasures like fishing.
Oh, I hear them calling to me
Feeling a literal or figurative call to return to the place in memory and spirit.
but there's no way to get down home
Acknowledging the reality that the place as it was is gone, and cannot literally be returned to.
cuz down home's just a memory
Reiterating the theme that the place is now only a reality in memory and longing.
Wish I could leave this big town
Expressing the desire to escape the impersonality and isolation of modern city life.
city living ain't living to me
Making the argument that the pace and stress of urban life is in contrast to what 'living' truly is.
No you can't retrieve it
Recognizing that the past is gone and cannot be literally regained.
cuz once you leave it
Stating that departure from a place means that things will change, for better or worse.
Oh, down home's just a memory
Repeating the refrain that the idyllic home of the past is now only a memory.
Down home... Oh, down home
Restating the original feeling of longing and nostalgia for the place that is no longer what it was.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING, GERRY GOFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Norma J.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful classic, used to be a big Ben E. King fan as a teenager, can't believe how much his songs still touch me deep down in my soul!
MrManorAvenue
Wow, what a treat to hear this rendition. I never knew anyone other than Little Eva and Rick Nelson recorded this song. Thank you for sharing it on the Tube. I've been watching for the sheet music to this song for years, but no luck yet.
Maxwell Johnson
hey thanks for sharing this classic still got the seven letters album thanks again big ups.
Jonah ❤️❤️
Love it cant miss that signature mmm rip Mr king
ronny de bock
Ontroerend mooi!
Carol Butler
Awesome
steelmanK
Remarkable as Ben E King was - I think Rick Nelson owns this song.
Carol Butler
The best
Maxwell Johnson
side 1 seven letters river of tears i'm standing by jamaica down home si senor side 2 it's all over let the water run down this is my dream it's no good for me in the middle of the night don't drive me away