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.
One Man
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Da da da
Da Da da da
Da da da
I never really wanted this
I didn't ask for it
It really had me thinking why
Why was I born
It had my family torn
But I had hope to set me free
Then I was born again
I told my doc and started "T"
It gives a helping hand
I was set and I believed
That I was born again
I hate when people say
That I'm an it and not a man
But that is not the truth
And studies show where that stands
I'm a man
And I'm trans
I have done so much seeking
Now I'm found I feel like dreaming
This is who I am I'm a man
Yeah this is who I am
I don't really life remember any other way
I feel like I came out back in the Stone Age
Back to my first AIM screen name
1st grade, backwards hat, I'm you're number one teammate
Tomboy at the little league game
And all those years that my parents didn't understand
I'm not a girl but I'm their little man
Always explainin' why I'm changin'
But it's all fine now it was worth it
Yeah change takes time and they finally heard it
I'm a man
And I'm trans
I have done so much seeking
Now I'm found I feel like dreaming
This is who I am I'm a man
Yeah this is who I am
I'm a man
And I'm trans
I have done so much seeking
Now I'm found I feel like dreaming
This is who I am I'm a man
Yeah this is who I am
The lyrics of Ben E. King's song "One Man" address themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and identity. The opening lines express a sense of confusion and questioning surrounding the singer's existence: "I never really wanted this, I didn't ask for it, It really had me thinking why, Why was I born?" These lines convey a feeling of uncertainty and frustration about being thrust into a world that doesn't align with their personal truth.
The next verse goes on to describe the internal struggle faced by the singer and their family. The line "My heart was he and not so she, It had my family torn" suggests that their gender identity caused a divide within their family, with some members possibly struggling to understand or accept it. However, despite these challenges, the singer finds hope in the possibility of starting anew: "But I had hope to set me free, Then I was born again, I told my doc and started 'T'." This refers to taking steps towards a gender transition by seeking medical support, such as hormone therapy.
The chorus declares proudly, "I'm a man, And I'm trans." This line reflects the singer's acknowledgment of their true identity, embracing the fact that they are a transgender man. It conveys a sense of empowerment and self-assurance. The lyrics also mention the journey of self-discovery and the search for acceptance: "I have done so much seeking, Now I'm found I feel like dreaming." This line suggests that after going through a process of exploration and self-reflection, the singer has finally discovered their authentic self and feels a sense of liberation.
Additionally, the lyrics touch upon the challenges faced by the singer in their journey towards self-acceptance. They mention moments from their childhood when they didn't fit societal expectations for their assigned gender: "I don't really life remember any other way, I feel like I came out back in the Stone Age, Back to my first AIM screen name, 1st grade, backwards hat, I'm your number one teammate." These lines indicate that the singer's sense of self has been present from an early age, and they've had to navigate societal norms that didn't align with their identity.
Overall, the lyrics of "One Man" celebrate the singer's journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and embracing their identity as a transgender man. It conveys a message of resilience, self-empowerment, and the importance of being true to oneself despite external challenges and misconceptions.
Line by Line Meaning
Da Da da da
Expressing a sense of ambiguity or confusion
Da da da
Continuing the expression of ambiguity or confusion
I never really wanted this
I didn't desire to be in this situation
I didn't ask for it
I didn't request or seek out this experience
It really had me thinking why
It made me contemplate the reasons behind it
Why was I born
What was the purpose of my birth
My heart was he and not so she
My true identity and gender didn't align with societal norms
It had my family torn
It caused a division and conflict within my family
But I had hope to set me free
I had optimism that would liberate me from this situation
Then I was born again
I experienced a rebirth or transformation
I told my doc and started 'T'
I informed my doctor and began hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
It gives a helping hand
HRT provides assistance and support in my transition
I was set and I believed
I felt prepared and confident in my identity
That I was born again
I had a sense of being reborn or redefined
I hate when people say
I strongly dislike it when individuals claim
That I'm an it and not a man
That I am dehumanized and not recognized as a man
But that is not the truth
But that assertion is not accurate or valid
And studies show where that stands
Research and evidence demonstrate the fallacy of such claims
I'm a man
I identify as a man
And I'm trans
And I am transgender
I have done so much seeking
I have engaged in extensive self-discovery and exploration
Now I'm found I feel like dreaming
Now that I have discovered my true self, I feel a sense of wonder and joy
This is who I am I'm a man
This is my authentic self, and I identify as a man
Yeah this is who I am
Indeed, this is my true identity
I don't really life remember any other way
I have no recollection of any way of life other than this
I feel like I came out back in the Stone Age
I sense that my self-realization occurred a long time ago
Back to my first AIM screen name
To an earlier time when I used a specific online screen name
1st grade, backwards hat, I'm you're number one teammate
Recalling a specific memory from first grade when I wore a backward hat and was an enthusiastic teammate
Tomboy at the little league game
I was a tomboy participating in a little league game
And all those years that my parents didn't understand
During the span of time when my parents struggled to comprehend
I'm not a girl but I'm their little man
Although I wasn't assigned female at birth, I am their beloved son
Always explainin' why I'm changin'
Consistently clarifying the reasons behind my transformation
But it's all fine now it was worth it
However, everything is now satisfactory, and the journey was worthwhile
Yeah change takes time and they finally heard it
Indeed, change requires time, but eventually, they understood
I'm a man
I identify as a man
And I'm trans
And I am transgender
I have done so much seeking
I have engaged in extensive self-discovery and exploration
Now I'm found I feel like dreaming
Now that I have found my true self, I feel a sense of wonder and joy
This is who I am I'm a man
This is my authentic self, and I identify as a man
Yeah this is who I am
Indeed, this is my true identity
I'm a man
I identify as a man
And I'm trans
And I am transgender
I have done so much seeking
I have engaged in extensive self-discovery and exploration
Now I'm found I feel like dreaming
Now that I have found my true self, I feel a sense of wonder and joy
This is who I am I'm a man
This is my authentic self, and I identify as a man
Yeah this is who I am
Indeed, this is my true identity
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Aiden Roach, Ryan Cassata
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind