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 Who Have Nothing
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I, I who have no one
Adore you and want you so
I'm just a no one with nothing to give you but, oh
I love you
He, he buys you diamonds
Bright, sparkling diamonds
That he can give you the world but he'll never love you the way
I love you
He can take you any place he wants
To fancy clubs and restaurants
Where I can only watch you with
My nose pressed up against the window pane
I, I who have nothing
I, I who have no one
Must watch you go dancing by
Wrapped in the arms of somebody else when, darling, it's I
Who love you
"I Who Have Nothing" is a powerful ballad about love, longing and unrequited affection. The song follows the singer, who is a lowly, insignificant figure with nothing to offer the object of his affections, as he watches her fall in love with someone who can offer her the world. Through the lyrics, the singer describes his deep love for this person and the emotional pain he feels due to their unattainability.
The first verse establishes the singer's state of emptiness and lack of importance, as he declares "I, I who have nothing, I, I who have no one". This is followed by an admission of his love and desire for the person he addresses, despite his limited resources. He acknowledges the limitations of his situation, saying that he has nothing to offer except his love. The subsequent verse contrasts the singer's situation with that of his rival, who is capable of providing material wealth and luxury. However, the singer maintains that these gifts cannot compare with his love, which is much deeper and more meaningful.
The final verse depicts the singer watching his love happily dancing with someone else, while he is left desolate and alone. The sense of longing and despair is reinforced by the imagery of the singer pressing his nose against the windowpane, unable to join the couple on the dance floor. The song ends with the singer declaring his love once again, lamenting his own insignificance in the face of the one he loves.
The lyrics of "I Who Have Nothing" are a stark reminder of the power of unrequited love and the pain that comes with it. The emotional intensity of the song has made it a classic, with numerous covers by artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I who have nothing
As a person with no material possessions or social status, I feel I have nothing to offer.
I, I who have no one
I am alone and have no one to share my feelings and desires with.
Adore you and want you so
Despite my lack of resources, I have strong feelings of adoration and desire for you.
I'm just a no one with nothing to give you but, oh
I feel like I have nothing to offer you except for my love, which is genuine and sincere.
I love you
I truly love you with all my heart, even though I have nothing to give.
He, he buys you diamonds
The person who has material wealth showers you with expensive gifts and symbols of wealth.
Bright, sparkling diamonds
These gifts are meant to dazzle and impress you with their beauty and shine.
But, believe me, dear, when I say
Despite these gifts, the person who gives them does not truly love you as I do.
That he can give you the world but he'll never love you the way
The other person may have everything, but they would never be able to love you as deeply and truly as I do.
He can take you any place he wants
The person with wealth and status can take you anywhere you desire.
To fancy clubs and restaurants
They can take you to exclusive and lavish places to wine and dine.
Where I can only watch you with
As someone with no status or wealth, I can only observe you from afar.
My nose pressed up against the window pane
I am literally separated from you by a pane of glass, indicating the divide between our social statuses.
Must watch you go dancing by
I can only watch as you move on and begin a new romantic relationship with someone else.
Wrapped in the arms of somebody else when, darling, it's I
I am the one who truly loves you, and it hurts to see you with someone else.
Who love you
Despite everything, it is still me who loves you the most and the deepest.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Giulio Mogol Rapetti, Carlo Donida, Mike Stoller, Jerry Leiber
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bob Murphy
One of the most powerful songs I know...rendered here by one of the kings of rock. Aside from "Stand by Me", his signature song, this is one of my favorites by him. RIP Ben E King and thanks for the great memories, some of the best of my life...
09kittykatz09
Spanish Harlem was his first solo hit..
Eugenio Mikolji
The original song is italian (Uno dei tanti, 1961). Have a look: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_(Who_Have_Nothing) and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xDKU62sAO0. Thank you!
Motown Mondays
When I was a little boy, I use to hear this song on the radio late at night often. I am sure I did not know what it meant, but I sure loved how the singer sounded. Thank you and we love you Ben E. King!
Madame Debby
Que música linda..
Ed Weichsler
Just a simple question, 'How many male singers can you think of that maintained dignity, grace, integrity, love & respect for the audience their entire career, on stage and in personal life?'
Besides being a great performer Mr Nelson/King, you will always remain a consummate man's man and inspiration to all.
You remain a huge blessing in my life. R.I.P. great one.
Joseph Lockett
If God made anything better He kept it for Himself
Deanna Garcia
percy slege was one
Common Sensibility
Joseph Lockett . Opium quote.!
Andre de Villeneuve
@Common Sensibility I think in modern times the crossover group Il Divo does fit that description. It is why I always like to see their videos because they are radiating their love for their audience. That said I enjoyed this version of this song that I knew mainly of Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones. Tom Jones´version was more exciting, this one is enchantingly beautiful - indeed a gentleman.