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.
Extra
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Extra, *she so* extra.
*Does everything*, extra.
*Too much plus*, extra.
I mean hell of -
(*muted lyrics*)
Hook:
Does everything, extra.
Too much plus, extra.
Extra (extra) -
Verse:
At first she was cool, drinkin the juice.
Netflix, and burn a dutch or two.
One thing lead another, knocking her ankles loose.
(You smash fool) she was feeling me dude.
Gm texts, good night calls.
If I ignore her, she'll call my auntie, mama and boss.
Like damn, how much of your mind have you lost.
Yeah that yoni good, so it come with leash.
And every 30 mins we just gotta speak.
Like you can't go out or take your ass back to sleep.
Way you acting, please leave me alone.
Only loud talking, neck poppin when I get home.
Stepping out door, oh now she wanna act right.
Cooking, cleaning, flirtatious just how I like.
After the party, she satisfied but feel guilty.
Like I'm sorry zaddy, I make it up , you know I'm silly.
Hook:
Extra, she so extra.
Does everything, extra.
Too much plus, extra.
I mean hell of -
Extra, she so extra.
Does everything, extra.
Too much plus, extra.
Extra (extra) -
Verse:
It's cool, but I gotta go and make a play.
(Where you going)
Whoa shawty dont start that shit today.
Why you apologizing anyway, what's your favorite chewing gum.
Because you sped extra, maybe they'll wanna sponsor something.
Can't even kick it at the studio, like I owe you all my time, make me aggressive, physical.
Make up then, now here we go.
Up and down like Faris wheel.
Can't even take you seriously, more childish than a happy meal.
Just something bout her, that's got me staying still.
But why not play some mind games, leveling out the playing field.
Give her strokes, savagishly.
Disappear for weeks like magically.
Got her feenin drastically
Stalking, sexually harassing me.
She might be hiding in trash, or surveilling in the bushes.
Sneaking in my trunk when I'm parked not looking.
Monitoring my mileage, verify if I'm creeping.
Always got somewhere to go, when Im fresh and just be leaving.
Hook:
Extra, she so extra.
Does everything, extra.
Too much plus, extra.
I mean hell of -
Extra, she so extra.
Does everything, extra.
Too much plus, extra.
Extra (extra) -
The lyrics to Ben E. King's song "Extra" depict a complicated relationship with a woman who exhibits excessive and exaggerated behaviors. The singer initially finds her cool and enjoyable to be around, engaging in casual activities like watching Netflix and smoking together. However, as time passes, her actions become increasingly over-the-top, and the singer begins to feel overwhelmed.
The verse highlights various instances of the woman's excessive behavior. She constantly sends text messages and calls, even involving the singer's family members and superiors when he ignores her. Despite their physical connection, the constant need for attention and control becomes suffocating. The singer longs for space and peace when he comes home, but she only engages in loud arguments and shows her dissatisfaction when he leaves the house. However, she suddenly switches her demeanor and acts sweet and flirtatious when they are out in public or with friends.
In the second verse, the singer expresses his frustration with her possessiveness and need for constant attention. He tries to make excuses to get away from her, but she doesn't understand boundaries and becomes apologetic in a manipulative way. The singer sarcastically suggests that maybe her excessive behavior could attract sponsorships or endorsements from chewing gum companies. He feels suffocated by her demands and immaturity, comparing her actions to a rollercoaster ride. Despite her flaws, there is something about her that keeps him hooked and unable to let go.
Overall, the lyrics of "Extra" explore the dynamics of a relationship where one person's excessive behavior suffocates the other, causing frustration and a desire for freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Extra, she so extra.
She has a tendency to go above and beyond in everything she does.
Does everything, extra.
She puts in additional effort and attention to detail in all her actions.
Too much plus, extra.
She goes beyond what is necessary or expected, often exaggerating her actions.
I mean hell of -
She is exceptionally over the top in her behavior.
At first she was cool, drinkin the juice.
Initially, she was relaxed and laid-back, enjoying simple pleasures.
Netflix, and burn a dutch or two.
She spent time watching Netflix and smoking marijuana.
One thing lead another, knocking her ankles loose.
Things escalated quickly and she became more uninhibited and carefree.
(You smash fool) she was feeling me dude.
She became attracted and interested in me after we became intimate.
Gm texts, good night calls.
She sends me good morning texts and calls me to say good night.
If I ignore her, she'll call my auntie, mama and boss.
If I don't give her attention, she will reach out to my family and superiors to get my attention.
Like damn, how much of your mind have you lost.
I am amazed at how obsessed and possessive she has become.
Yeah that yoni good, so it come with leash.
Her sexual prowess is excellent, but it also comes with excessive control and possessiveness.
And every 30 mins we just gotta speak.
We are in constant communication and she expects me to respond every 30 minutes.
Like you can't go out or take your ass back to sleep.
She restricts my freedom to go out or even go back to sleep without her permission.
Way you acting, please leave me alone.
Her behavior is overwhelming and I want her to give me space.
Only loud talking, neck poppin when I get home.
She only expresses herself loudly and aggressively when I am around.
Stepping out door, oh now she wanna act right.
She suddenly changes her behavior and acts appropriately when we are in public.
Cooking, cleaning, flirtatious just how I like.
She fulfills domestic roles while maintaining a playful and seductive demeanor, which I find appealing.
After the party, she satisfied but feel guilty.
After being intimate, she feels a mix of satisfaction and remorse.
Like I'm sorry zaddy, I make it up , you know I'm silly.
She apologizes and promises to make it up to me, acknowledging that her behavior can be foolish.
It's cool, but I gotta go and make a play.
Although everything is fine between us, I have other priorities and obligations to attend to.
(Where you going) Whoa shawty dont start that shit today.
She questions my plans and tries to start an argument, but I am not interested in engaging.
Why you apologizing anyway, what's your favorite chewing gum.
I don't understand why she keeps apologizing and I ask a random question to divert the conversation.
Because you sped extra, maybe they'll wanna sponsor something.
I sarcastically suggest that her excessive behavior could attract sponsors or endorsements.
Can't even kick it at the studio, like I owe you all my time, make me aggressive, physical.
She becomes controlling and demanding, not allowing me to spend time freely at the studio, which frustrates and angers me.
Make up then, now here we go.
We make up after arguments but soon find ourselves in another one.
Up and down like Faris wheel.
Our relationship is characterized by constant ups and downs, just like a Ferris wheel ride.
Can't even take you seriously, more childish than a happy meal.
I find it difficult to view her as mature or serious, as she behaves in a very childish manner.
Just something bout her, that's got me staying still.
There is something about her that keeps me hooked and prevents me from leaving.
But why not play some mind games, leveling out the playing field.
I decide to manipulate her and play mind games to regain some control in the relationship.
Give her strokes, savagishly.
I engage in sexual activities with her in a rough and intense manner.
Disappear for weeks like magically.
I vanish for weeks without explanation, almost as if I have disappeared by magic.
Got her feenin drastically
She starts craving and longing for my presence intensely.
Stalking, sexually harassing me.
She exhibits obsessive behavior, constantly monitoring and intruding into my personal life.
She might be hiding in trash, or surveilling in the bushes.
She could potentially be hiding in unconventional places or observing me secretly.
Sneaking in my trunk when I'm parked not looking.
She sneaks into my car trunk when I'm not paying attention or when my guard is down.
Monitoring my mileage, verify if I'm creeping.
She keeps track of the distance I travel in my vehicle to see if I am being unfaithful.
Always got somewhere to go, when Im fresh and just be leaving.
She always has plans and places to be just as I am getting ready to leave and be on my own.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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