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.
River of Tears
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ben. E. King
It seems that I just can?t win?
I?ve been hurt time and time again?
Every time I give my heart somebody tears it all apart
Through the years, lord knows I must have shed a river of tears?
I?d even ignored, yes, I have, things that people say
Oh, still I?m lonely and all alone
I?ve got no one I can call my own
Through the years I know I must have shed a river of tears
A river of tears, oh, how I yearned, yeah ?
Tears that flow?
Somebody tell me what I?m doing wrong
Isn?t there anyone I can depend on?
Through the years I know I must have shed a river of tears
A river of tears, oh, how I?ve yearned, yes, I have
Tears that flow? oh, how I?ve yearned
Talking ?bout? talkin? ?bout a river
Talkin? ?bout a river
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The lyrics of Ben E. King's "River of Tears" tell the story of heartbreak and loneliness experienced by the singer. The song opens with the admission that he just can't seem to win when it comes to love. He has been hurt time and time again, and every time he gives his heart to someone, it is torn apart. As the years go by, the singer acknowledges that he must have shed a river of tears due to his failed relationships.
Despite his efforts to be fair, the singer is still alone and lonely. He has no one to call his own, and he yearns for someone to depend on. He wonders if he is doing something wrong, and if there is anyone out there who will love him for who he is. The chorus repeats the image of a river of tears that the singer has shed throughout the years, emphasizing the depth and intensity of his emotional pain.
Overall, the song paints a poignant picture of a person who has been unlucky in love and is struggling to find a way out of their loneliness. The repeated phrase "river of tears" creates a powerful image of the vastness of the singer's emotional turmoil, and King's soulful vocal delivery conveys the depth of his pain.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems that I just can?t win?
I am constantly struggling and unable to succeed in my relationships and love life.
I?ve been hurt time and time again?
I have experienced emotional pain and heartbreak multiple times in the past.
Every time I give my heart somebody tears it all apart
Whenever I trust someone with my heart, I end up getting hurt because they don't treat it with care or respect.
Through the years, lord knows I must have shed a river of tears?
Over the years, I have cried so much due to the emotional pain and heartbreak I have experienced.
I tried to be fair in every way
I have always tried to be honest, open, and fair in my relationships and interactions with others.
I?d even ignored, yes, I have, things that people say
I have even tried to overlook negative comments or criticisms from others in an attempt to salvage my relationships.
Oh, still I?m lonely and all alone
Despite my efforts, I am still alone and feel a deep sense of loneliness.
I?ve got no one I can call my own
I don't have anyone in my life that I can truly call my own, whether in terms of a romantic partner or close friend.
A river of tears, oh, how I yearned, yeah ?
I have longed for a life free from heartbreak and emotional pain, where I can be happy and fulfilled.
Tears that flow?
The constant tears that I have shed over the years due to my struggles in relationships and love.
Somebody tell me what I?m doing wrong
I am at a loss as to why my relationships always seem to fail and why I am constantly experiencing emotional pain and heartbreak.
Isn?t there anyone I can depend on?
I am feeling isolated and helpless, and am searching for someone in my life who I can truly rely on and trust.
A river of tears, oh, how I?ve yearned, yes, I have
I have spent so much time and energy wishing for a better life without heartbreak and pain, but have yet to find it.
Talking ?bout? talkin? ?bout a river
Repeating the phrase that has been used throughout the song to emphasize the extent of the singer's emotional pain and heartbreak.
Talkin? ?bout a river
Further emphasizing the singer's intense and persistent feelings of sadness and despair.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Desiree Jaikaran
We are all crying river of tears in the dreadful pandemic. Beautifulsong.
TheBrightstar13
My dad will play this song so much. And to watch my parents dance slowly was jusy classic. One of my favorites classic songs.
John Benn
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 75yo Aussie fan.
One of the finest soul / R & B vocalists of all time.
Pauline Thompson
My favorite singer very nice voice♥️
Dovahkiin KhajiitMaster
The terrible music people listen to today is so sad. People have no idea about the awesome music like this that’s out there. Ben E. King is such a legend.
J R 1
I’m friends with Ben e king I’m 18 and I met him when I was 13 and we stayed friends till he passed away
Carlos t. Lopez
There nothing like old school . I just became 65 years old. Let me tell u young people. Old school music always tell some one that' tells a story. Much ❤ to old school music.
Pauline Thompson
That's so nice I wish I had known him his unique voice so hello I love all his songs may he rest in peace♥️♥️
Levan Moore
true soul singer
Zev Feldman
GREAT SOUL