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.

I Had a Love
Ben E. King Lyrics

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When the night has come
And the land is dark,
And the moon is the only
Light we'll see.

No, I won't be afraid,
Oh, I wont be afraid,
Just as long as you stand

Stand by me.

So darlin', darlin' stand by me.
Oh stand by me, oh stand
Stand by me.
Stand by me.

If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall,
All the mountains should crumble
To the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No, I won't shed a tear,
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me.

And darlin', darlin' stand by me.
Oh stand by me, oh stand now.
Stand by me, oh stand by me.

Oh darlin', darlin' stand by me
Oh stand by me.
Oh stand now, stand by me.

Won't you stand, stand by me?
Oh stand, stand by me, stand by me.

Overall Meaning

The song "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King is a timeless classic that has been covered by many artists over the years. The lyrics speak to the power of human connection and the importance of having someone by your side through both the good and the bad times. The opening lines set the scene for a dark night, but the singer is comforted by the presence of his loved one. He asserts that he won't be afraid as long as she stands by his side.

The chorus of the song urges the loved one to stay with him and stand by his side. The repetition of the phrase "stand by me" emphasizes the importance of this connection. The second verse presents a hypothetical scenario where the sky is falling and mountains are crumbing. Even in this extreme situation, the singer asserts that he won't shed a tear as long as his loved one is there by his side.

I Had a LoveBen E. King Lyrics

I Had a Love
Ben E. King Lyrics