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.
Saturday Night At The Movies
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know where I'm gonna go
I'm gonna pick my baby up
And take her to the picture show
Ev'rybody in the neighborhood
Is dressin' up to be there too
And we're gonna have a ball
Just like we always do
Saturday night at the movies
Who cares what picture you see
When you're huggin' with your baby
In the last row in the balcony?
Well, there's technicolor and cinemascope
A cast out a Hollywood
And the popcorn from the candy stand
Makes it all seem twice as good
There's alway lots of pretty girls
With figures they don't try to hide
But they never can compare
To the girl sittin' by my side
Saturday night at the movies
Who cares what picture you see
When you're huggin' with your baby
In the last row in the balcony?
Ah Saturday night at the movies
Who cares what picture you see
When you're huggin' with your baby
In the last row in the balcony?
Ah Saturday night at the movies
Who cares what picture you see
When you're huggin' with your baby
In the last row in the balcony?
Yeah, Saturday night at the movies
The song "Saturday Night at the Movies" by Ben E. King & The Drifters talks about the excitement and joy that people experience when they go out on a Saturday night to watch a movie with their loved ones. It captures the aura of anticipation and the thrill of the experience with the lyrics, "Saturday night at eight o'clock, I know where I'm gonna go, I'm gonna pick my baby up and take her to the picture show." The song communicates the excitement that everybody feels, as they dress up, buy popcorn and candy, and head out to the cinema to spend quality time together.
The lyrics also emphasize the importance of being with someone special, "Who cares what picture you see, when you're huggin' with your baby in the last row in the balcony?" They suggest that the most important part of Saturday night at the movies is not the movie itself but the act of sharing that experience with someone you care about, no matter what is on the silver screen.
Overall, "Saturday Night at the Movies" is a simple and universal song that captures the essence of a cherished weekend tradition. It shows how something as simple as going out to the movies can bring joy to people's lives and create precious memories that last a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, Saturday night at eight o'clock
On Saturday nights at eight o'clock
I know where I'm gonna go
I have plans to go to a certain place
I'm gonna pick my baby up
I am going to get my significant other
And take her to the picture show
And bring her to the cinema
Ev'rybody in the neighborhood
Everyone around this area
Is dressin' up to be there too
Is dressing up to attend as well
And we're gonna have a ball
And we are going to have a great time
Just like we always do
Just like we usually do on these occasions
Saturday night at the movies
Saturday night at the cinema
Who cares what picture you see
It doesn't matter what movie is playing
When you're huggin' with your baby
When you're embracing your loved one
In the last row in the balcony?
In the back seats of the upper level?
Well, there's technicolor and cinemascope
There are movies in technicolor and cinemascope
A cast out a Hollywood
With actors and actresses from Hollywood
And the popcorn from the candy stand
And the popcorn from the concession stand
Makes it all seem twice as good
Makes everything twice as enjoyable
There's alway lots of pretty girls
There are always many attractive women
With figures they don't try to hide
With bodies that they do not conceal
But they never can compare
But they can never match
To the girl sittin' by my side
To my companion sitting next to me
Yeah, Saturday night at the movies
Yes, Saturday night at the cinema
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BARRY MANN, CYNTHIA WEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gregory Burley
Brilliant track, this was played at our club when I first joined the Army in 1971, a favourite of all and my introduction to the "Drifters". I am now the proud owner of their complete collection, vinyl and CD.
Wymell
Hey great show me where I can apply to get the collectors I I the items also please
Bill Herald
In late 1964, this became the very last Top 40 hit for this fantastic group, coming shortly after "Under the Boardwalk" and "Sand in My Shoes." Great memories!
TDSouledOut1
Catchy as hell, Johnny Moore's vocal captures the spirit of a more innocent age. The Drifters made some terrific records in the 1960s and 70s.
Wymell
You know you got that right
Chris Archer
The superb Johnny Moore! What a voice!
pascalbouchou @ Gmail. com
J'adore les chansons qui respirent la joie de vivre !
tanya york
My mums favorite song would sing this song while waiting for my grandad to pick her up at the weekend. Two years ago we had this song for my mum's funeral still brings me to tears rip mum
steve53london
their music is timeless, been listening since the early 70's and at some great parties, how the years have flown.
Skaf
One of the greatest feel good pop songs ever by the brilliant Drifters!