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.
Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps
Ben E. King Lyrics
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Que cuándo, cómo y dónde
Tú siempre me respondes
Quizás, quizás, quizás
Y así pasan los días
Y yo desesperado
Y tú, tú, contestando
Estás perdiendo el tiempo
Pensando, pensando
Por lo que más tú quieras
Hasta cuándo, hasta cuándo
Y así pasan los días
Y yo desesperado
Y tú, tú contestando
Quizás, quizás, quizás
Y así pasan los días
Y yo desesperado
Y tú, tú contestando
Quizás, quizás, quizás
Estás perdiendo el tiempo
Pensando, pensando
Por lo que más tú quieras
Hasta cuándo, hasta cuándo
Y así pasan los días
Y yo desesperado
Y tú, tú contestando
Quizás, quizás, quizás
Quizás, quizás, quizás
Quizás, quizás, quizás
The song "Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps" by Ben E. King explores the theme of uncertainty and rejection in a romantic relationship. The lyrics present a conversation between two lovers where one is constantly asking the other questions about their future together, and the response is always "perhaps." This ambiguity creates frustration and desperation for the singer who wants a definite answer from their partner. The lyrics also suggest that the partner who responds with "perhaps" is wasting time by overthinking and not committing to the relationship.
The repetition of the phrase "quizás, quizás, quizás" emphasizes the uncertainty and lack of commitment in the relationship. The singer is portrayed as being desperate and at the mercy of their partner's indecision, while the partner is indifferent and unresponsive to their needs. The lyrics also hint at a power imbalance, where one party holds more control over the relationship than the other.
Overall, "Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps" is a poignant commentary on the challenges of romantic relationships, the delicate balance of power, and the agony of not knowing where one stands with their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Siempre que te pregunto
Every time I ask you
Que cuándo, cómo y dónde
When, how, and where
Tú siempre me respondes
You always respond to me
Quizás, quizás, quizás
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Y así pasan los días
And so the days go by
Y yo desesperado
And I'm desperate
Y tú, tú, contestando
And you, you keep answering
Quizás, quizás, quizás
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Estás perdiendo el tiempo
You're wasting your time
Pensando, pensando
Thinking, thinking
Por lo que más tú quieras
About whatever you want
Hasta cuándo, hasta cuándo
Until when, until when
Quizás, quizás, quizás
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Y así pasan los días
And so the days go by
Y yo desesperado
And I'm desperate
Y tú, tú contestando
And you, you keep answering
Quizás, quizás, quizás
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Y así pasan los días
And so the days go by
Y yo desesperado
And I'm desperate
Y tú, tú contestando
And you, you keep answering
Quizás, quizás, quizás
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Quizás, quizás, quizás
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Quizás, quizás, quizás
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Osvaldo Farres
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind