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.
In The Midnight Hour
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's when my love comes tumbling down
I'm gonna wait til the midnight hour
When there's no one else around
I'm gonna take you girl and hold you
And do all the things I told you in the midnight hour
Yeah in the midnight hour
And see that twinkle in your eyes
I'm gonna wait til the midnight hour
That's when my love begins to shine
You'll be the only girl I'll love
And really Love you so
In the midnight hour
Oh yeah in the midnight hour
The lyrics to Ben E. King's "In The Midnight Hour" depict the anticipation and longing of the singer for a specific moment, symbolized by the midnight hour. The midnight hour represents a time when the singer's love is free to fully express itself without any external distractions or interference. It serves as a metaphor for a clandestine rendezvous, where the singer can finally be alone with their love interest.
The repetition of "I'm gonna wait til the midnight hour" emphasizes the singer's determination to patiently bide their time until the opportune moment arrives. This highlights their commitment to pursuing their desired relationship in a respectful and cautious manner. The line "That's when my love comes tumbling down" depicts the overwhelming emotions that the singer experiences when they finally get to be with their love interest in that sacred moment.
The mention of "no one else around" further emphasizes the singer's desire for intimacy and privacy. They want this connection with their love interest to be exclusive and isolated from the rest of the world. The intention is not simply to engage in physical intimacy, but also to have a deeper emotional connection, which is reflected in the line "I'm gonna take you girl and hold you, and do all the things I told you in the midnight hour."
The second verse shifts the focus to the stars coming out and the twinkle in the love interest's eyes. This imagery portrays a sense of enchantment and romance, as if the universe itself is aligning to create the perfect moment for their love to flourish. The reference to the love beginning to shine implies that the singer's affection grows immeasurably stronger during this special time of night.
The reassurance that the love interest will be the only one the singer loves and truly loves them, emphasizes the sincerity and depth of the emotions involved. The repetition of "in the midnight hour" at the end of the song reinforces the significance and power that this time holds for the singer. Overall, the lyrics of "In the Midnight Hour" capture the excitement, longing, and passion that can be experienced when two souls come together in the depths of the night, away from prying eyes.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna wait til the midnight hour
I will patiently wait until it is late at night
That's when my love comes tumbling down
That is when my deep affection overwhelms me
When there's no one else around
During a time of solitude and privacy
I'm gonna take you girl and hold you
I will embrace and support you, my dear
And do all the things I told you in the midnight hour
I will fulfill all the promises I made to you in the late night
Yeah in the midnight hour
Indeed, during the late night period
I'm gonna wait til stars come out
I will wait for the stars to appear in the sky
And see that twinkle in your eyes
Observing the sparkle present in your eyes
That's when my love begins to shine
At that moment, my affection becomes radiant
You'll be the only girl I'll love
You will be the sole woman whom I adore
And really Love you so
And truly love you deeply
In the midnight hour
During the late night time frame
Oh yeah in the midnight hour
Oh yes, precisely during the late night period
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Wilson Pickett, Steve Cropper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamesrobinson9646
Love this song and the whole album. Always a different interpretation of a song.....the great ones hear so many things and hop from one song to another seamlessly....
@chloeguenther1372
Please upload the rest of this album!! I haven't heard it in so long and its impossible to find.
@williamrees3056
Superb.
@bennyjazzful
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a 72yo Aussie fan.
@georgewoodruff7191
🌹
@armandosaba9227
Assey (godibus)