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.
I Count the Tears
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na, na, na, na, na, na late at night
I have counted everyday that she's been away
It seemed like a thousand years
And at na, na, na, na, na, na, late at night
Na, na, na, na, na, na late at night
I'll sit and count the tears (na, na, na, na late at night)
I have counted all your lies all your alibis
I'm a guy believes just what he hears
And at na, na, na, na, na, na, late at night
Na, na, na, na, na, na,late at night
I'll sit and count the tears
She's gone and found somebody new
She may be happy now but soon
He'll be counting everyday that she's been away
It will seem like a thousand years
And at na, na, na, na, na, na, late at night
Na, na, na, na, na, na, late at night
He'll sit and count his tears (na, na, na, na late at night)
He'll sit and count his tears (na, na, na, na late at night)
He'll sit and count his tears (na, na, na, na late at night)
He'll sit, and count his tears
The lyrics to Ben E. King's song "Late at Night" speak about the pain of heartbreak and the endless cycle of counting the days and tears since a loved one has left. The singer of the song admits to counting every day that his significant other has been gone, which has felt like a thousand years. He also confesses to having counted all of her lies and alibis, which has led him to believe that she has found someone new. The song suggests that while the new partner may be happy now, he too will eventually find himself counting the days and tears.
The refrain of "na, na, na, na, na, na, late at night" is a repetitive, almost obsessive, way of conveying the singer's pain and the endlessness of his suffering. The melody and the repetition of the "na's" and "late at night" creates a melancholic mood that contributes to the song's overall message about the pain of heartbreak.
Overall, "Late at Night" is a poignant and relatable song that speaks to the human experience of heartbreak and the emotions that come along with it. It captures the feeling of being trapped in an endless cycle of pain and the difficulty of moving on from a past love.
Line by Line Meaning
Na, na, na, na, na, na late at night
The singer is expressing the loneliness he feels during nights without his lover.
I have counted everyday that she's been away
The singer has been keeping track of the days since his lover left him.
It seemed like a thousand years
The singer feels like a very long time has passed without his lover by his side.
And at na, na, na, na, na, na, late at night
The singer repeats his feelings of loneliness.
I'll sit and count the tears (na, na, na, na late at night)
The singer will spend his nights crying and thinking about his lost love.
I have counted all your lies all your alibis
The singer has been keeping track of his lover's dishonesty and excuses for leaving him.
I'm a guy believes just what he hears
The singer trusts what he is told and takes things at face value.
She's gone and found somebody new
The singer's lover has moved on and found a new partner.
She may be happy now but soon
The singer believes that his lover's new relationship will not last and she will soon be unhappy.
He'll be counting everyday that she's been away
The new partner will also be keeping track of how long it has been since the singer's lover left him.
And at na, na, na, na, na, na, late at night
The singer repeats his earlier sentiment about feeling lonely.
He'll sit and count his tears (na, na, na, na late at night)
The new partner will also spend his nights crying and thinking about the loss of the singer's lover.
He'll sit, and count his tears
The new partner will be just as devastated by the loss of the singer's lover as the singer himself.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jaycooper2624
I first heard this gorgeous track coming through the open window of a neighbourhood house on my way to school back in 1960,I'm 70 now but for a couple of minutes I'm 12 again! Stellar Group!!!
@MoscoeJohnsonJr
I am 72. I feel just like I am 14 when I hear this. Oh what an era! I can see it in my mind's eye and feel it in my bones. Gosh ....
@franlabosco9462
I feel thhesame way...I’lll be 69 July🥰
@claudiasalazar5840
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
@Perromedic0
Sweet stuff!
@virginiayamamoto2452
Love it. I'm 68
@mmikephilly
I woke up this morning humming and singing this. What a powerful voice that captures the story. I wish the story was longer. I could listen to Ben E. King and Sam Cooke all day.
@juventusventuno9213
you know its going to be a good day
@mitchellsteven6189
The Drifters, This song is the one i remember most when I was only 4 years old back in Brooklyn NYC in 1960. It is because of this song I can remember back to being four years old and the year 1960. I am now 59. so how's that for a memory. I fell in love with his voice Ben E. and he defined one of the best era's of that group. 1959-61. he now joins the big 3 Leads of the Drifters. Clyde Mcphatter,(White Christmas)Rudy Lewis(On Broadway,Please Stay).now Ben E King. my favorite by Ben leading the drifters will always be Count the Tears. which bring back memories to the year 1960 and President Kennedy was in office. I remember seeing him in person seated on top of a man's shoulder from a crowd.
@joelcharles4293
I second that MItchell! And let's not forget other great leads like Nate Nelson from The Flamingoes, Tony Williams from The Platters, Pooky Hudson from The Spaniels, Leslie Anderson from The Dubs, the late great Eugene Pitts from The JIve five, the unbeatable all time phenomenal Johny Maestro, that quickly come to my mind- I'm sure there' are other outstanding Leads, but can't focus now on them!