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.

No Place To Hide
Ben E. King Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sun setting behind oak trees
A glass of wine and a warm breeze
Birds singing heavenly melodies
A quiet porch in the evening
Beats out any city I’ve seen
Just hear those soft winds whistling
Every time I come back home I find
That every time I leave a bit of my heart stays behind

When I’m gone I’m waiting for the next time I come home
And I’ll be on my way as soon as I can go
I’ll be driving through the night praying for green lights
With every mile I’m counting down the county lines ‘cause
I know there is no, there’s still no place like home
I’ve seen a sunrise on the high sea
No denying all its beauty
But it missed the honeysuckle blooming
There’s always something said for nightlife
Loud music and the bright lights
But the sound of moonlight is really what I need
Every time I come back home I find
That every time I leave a bit of my heart stays behind
When I’m gone I’m waiting for the next time I come home
I’ll be on my way as soon as I can go
I’ll be driving through the night praying for green lights
With every mile I’m counting down the county lines ‘cause
I know there is no place like it
When I’m gone I’m waiting for the next time I come home
I’ll be on my way as soon as I can go
I’ll be driving through the night praying for green lights
With every mile I’m counting down the county lines
I’m driving through the night praying for green lights
With every mile I’m counting down the county lines
I’m driving through the night praying for green lights
With every mile I’m counting down the county lines

‘Cause I know there is no, there’s still no place like home
No place like home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "No Place to Hide" by Ben E. King beautifully encapsulate the sentiment of longing and nostalgia for one's home. The imagery of the sun setting behind oak trees, a glass of wine, and a warm breeze sets the scene of tranquility and peace that can be found in the simple moments at home. The singer describes how every time they come back home, a piece of their heart stays behind, highlighting the deep emotional connection they have with their place of origin.

The contrast between the peacefulness of home and the allure of other experiences is depicted through the mention of a sunrise on the high sea and the excitement of nightlife with loud music and bright lights. Despite these alluring experiences, the singer emphasizes that it is the familiarity and comfort of home that truly resonates with them. The honeysuckle blooming and the sound of moonlight evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for the seemingly small but profound details of home that hold significance.

The repeated refrain of "I know there is no place like it" reinforces the idea that no matter where the singer goes or what experiences they have, nothing can compare to the feeling of coming back home. The repetition of driving through the night, praying for green lights, and counting down the county lines conveys the eagerness and anticipation of returning home. It is clear that home holds a special place in the singer's heart, and the yearning for that familiar sense of belonging is a driving force in their journey.

Overall, "No Place to Hide" paints a vivid picture of the emotional complexity of longing for home, even amidst the allure of other experiences. The lyrics capture the essence of finding solace and comfort in the familiar sights, sounds, and sensations of home, and the undeniable truth that no matter where life takes you, there truly is no place like home.

Line by Line Meaning

Sun setting behind oak trees
The peaceful end of the day in a familiar setting brings a sense of comfort and tranquility.

A glass of wine and a warm breeze
Simple pleasures like a relaxing drink and gentle winds contribute to a sense of contentment.

Birds singing heavenly melodies
Nature's music adds a joyful and harmonious element to the scene.

A quiet porch in the evening
Finding solace in the stillness of the night, away from the chaos of urban life.

Beats out any city I’ve seen
Despite visiting various urban areas, the allure of home remains unmatched.

Just hear those soft winds whistling
The gentle sounds of nature's whispers evoke a sense of peace and belonging.

Every time I come back home I find
Returning to familiar surroundings reveals the deep connection and love for one's roots.

That every time I leave a bit of my heart stays behind
Leaving one's home causes a sense of longing and leaves a part of the heart in that place.

When I’m gone I’m waiting for the next time I come home
Anticipating the next chance to return to the comforting embrace of home while away.

And I’ll be on my way as soon as I can go
Eager to make the journey back to what feels like home as soon as possible.

I’ll be driving through the night praying for green lights
The desire to reach home quickly is evident through hoping for smooth travels on the road.

With every mile I’m counting down the county lines ‘cause
Tracking the progress towards home by following the markers along the way.

I know there is no, there’s still no place like home
Despite experiencing other places and adventures, the irreplaceable feeling of home remains unmatched.

Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Carrie King

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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