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.
First Sign of Love
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was so thrilling
What made it so great was
I knew that your heart was willing
I never thought that I'd give love a try
Then you came a walking by
And gave me my first taste of love
Mmm, the very first time you held me
It was so nice
I finally found this place they call paradise
Oh, I was such a sad and lonely guy
Then you came a walking by
And gave me my first taste of love
Your lips upon my lips
Your arms around my waist
How can I forget that first date
Mmm, so keep your
Head on my shoulder
Stay real close, baby, don't let go
Don't think of tomorrow
Let's live for tonight
Because I love you so
You see that love light
Gleaming in my eye
Swear it's gonna never die
'Cause I've got my first taste of love
You see that love light
Gleaming in my eye
Swear it's never gonna die
'Cause I've got my first taste of love
Swear it's never gonna die
'Cause I've got my first taste of love
Swear it's gonna never die
'Cause I've got my first taste of love
The song "First Sign of Love" by Ben E. King is a romantic ballad about the beauty and excitement of experiencing love for the first time. In the first verse, the singer describes the thrill of being kissed for the first time by someone who is genuinely interested in him, which makes the experience even more special. He then goes on to reminisce about how lonely he used to be before the love interest came into his life, making him feel like he's finally found paradise. The chorus emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and not worrying about what tomorrow may bring because the singer is so madly in love with the person in question.
The song is a beautiful and innocent portrayal of young love, and it highlights the rush and excitement that comes with experiencing all the firsts of a new relationship. The images of the first kiss, the first embrace, and the first date are all painted with a sense of euphoria and wonder. The lyrics speak to the idea that love can change everything, and the singer is grateful for the experiences he's had.
Overall, "First Sign of Love" is a hopeful and optimistic song about the joys and pleasures of love. It's a reminder that no matter how long we've been single or how many bad relationships we've had, there's always the possibility of finding that one person who makes everything worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
Mmm, the very first time you kissed me
The singer recalls the moment when their significant other kissed them for the first time.
It was so thrilling
The singer was excited and elated about the experience.
What made it so great was
The singer explains why the first kiss was so special.
I knew that your heart was willing
The singer perceived that their significant other was open and willing to show affection.
I never thought that I'd give love a try
The singer never imagined that they would fall in love.
Then you came a walking by
The singer met their significant other unexpectedly.
And gave me my first taste of love
The singer experienced the feeling of being in love for the first time due to their significant other.
Mmm, the very first time you held me
The singer recalls the moment when they were held by their significant other for the first time.
It was so nice
The singer enjoyed the sensation and the feeling of being held.
I finally found this place they call paradise
The singer describes the feeling of being with their significant other as heavenly and perfect.
Oh, I was such a sad and lonely guy
The singer was unhappy and lacked companionship before they met their significant other.
Your lips upon my lips
The singer is describing the physical connection with their significant other during a kiss.
Your arms around my waist
The singer is describing the physical embrace with their significant other.
How can I forget that first date
The singer reminisces about their first date with their significant other and how memorable it was.
Mmm, so keep your
The singer addresses their significant other.
Head on my shoulder
The singer wants their significant other to rest their head on their shoulder.
Stay real close, baby, don't let go
The singer wants their significant other to stay close to them and not let go.
Don't think of tomorrow
The singer wants their significant other to focus on the present moment and not worry about the future.
Let's live for tonight
The singer wants to enjoy the current time and spend it with their significant other.
Because I love you so
The singer expresses their love for their significant other.
You see that love light
The singer is pointing out the expression of love in their eyes.
Gleaming in my eye
The singer's eyes shine with happiness and love.
Swear it's gonna never die
The singer promises that their love will never fade or diminish.
'Cause I've got my first taste of love
The singer attributes their newfound understanding and appreciation of love to their significant other.
Swear it's never gonna die
The singer restates that their love is everlasting and strong.
'Cause I've got my first taste of love
The singer reiterates that their significant other taught them about love and made them experience it for the first time.
Swear it's gonna never die
The singer asserts that their love will always thrive.
'Cause I've got my first taste of love
The singer explains that their significant other gave them their first experience of love, which they will cherish forever.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHIL SPECTOR, JEROME POMUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jean Mitchell
Ben E King is one of the all time greatest singers 👍🏽❤️❤️
Gary Spring
One of my favorite artists what a wonderful voice he had
Elias Simon Alonso
Fenómeno
theberniman7
the oldies are still the goodies.
Sharon Hall
The musicians are fabulous as well.
Renee Victor
SUCH A GREAT SONG.
Sharon Hall
Certainly one of the greats.
Norma J.
Thanks for this, Ben E. King, idol of my teenage years. Loved all his songs of the late 1950s - '60s.
Thomas Moore
Must agree, my favorite singer of all time
R.I.P. BEN E KING WE LOVE YOU BROTHER
Verónica Mariscal Baheza
This song was Made for a Mexican composer Salvador Mariscal Sáenz. They song was registered in 1953