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.
Seven Letters
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dear, to you
This is my last letter, baby
I just can't write you anymore
My poor little finger's swollen
I'm tired of pacing the floor, yes, I am
It was tearing me apart
This is my seventh letter, baby
Just to satisfy my heart
(One) Monday, I wrote and told you
I was all alone and blue
(Two) Tuesday, I wrote again, baby
I said I loved no one, no one
No one but you, no, I don't
(Three) Wednesday, I wired you a cable
Begging you to call
(Four) Thursday, I sent the message
I said I was wrong and, darling
Please come back home
(Five) Friday, I woke up crying
With the sniff of a tear
(Six) come along long lonesome Saturday
I did the same thing all over again
Yes, I did
(Seven) this is my seventh letter, baby
On this bright Sunday morning
Just got off my knees from praying
I said, Oh, Lord, oh, Lord
Please send her back home
Can't she hear me talking to her
(This is my last letter
Dear, to you)
Seven letters, seven days
Seven long, lonely days
There, I said it
(This is my last letter
Dear, to you) yes, it is
Yes, it is, yes, it is
Oh, yes, it is
The song "Seven Letters" is a heart-wrenching ballad song by Ben E. King, where he expresses his feelings about his failed relationship through writing letters. It is said to be a farewell letter shown through the course of seven days of writing, and this tells the story of a man who is heartbroken and lost. The first stanza sets the tone for the song's emotional depth, and it is in the form of a final letter to someone the writer is leaving behind. King’s delivery is soulful and haunting throughout as he opens his soul through the craft of songwriting.
The verses following the chorus detail the letters he sent that week, each one expressing his loneliness and heartbreak in the most devastating way. The writer is persistent throughout the week, with each day's letter conveying his increasing desperation for his lover's return. Each letter is more emotional than the last, as he describes his loneliness, begs for her to return, and finally pleads with God to intervene. By the end of the song, it is clear that the relationship is over.
Overall, the song is a poignant expression of raw emotion that gives voice to the feelings of many who have experienced heartbreak. King's voice, combined with the powerful lyrics, creates a truly unforgettable experience that speaks to the soul.
Line by Line Meaning
This is my last letter
This is the final communication from me
Dear, to you
Addressed to the intended recipient
This is my last letter, baby
I don't want to write anymore
I just can't write you anymore
I cannot continue to write to you
My poor little finger's swollen
My hand hurts from writing too much
I'm tired of pacing the floor, yes, I am
I'm restless and anxious about this situation
Threw away our favorite record
Symbolically getting rid of a shared memory
It was tearing me apart
It was causing me emotional pain
This is my seventh letter, baby
I've written multiple letters to you already
Just to satisfy my heart
Writing these letters is the only way to feel better
Monday, I wrote and told you
I tried to reach out earlier in the week
I was all alone and blue
Feeling lonely and sad
Tuesday, I wrote again, baby
I tried again the next day
I said I loved no one, no one
I couldn't love anyone else the way I love you
No one but you, no, I don't
There is no one else in my heart
Wednesday, I wired you a cable
I tried a different form of communication
Begging you to call
Desperately wanting a response
Thursday, I sent the message
Still trying to make contact
I said I was wrong and, darling
Apologizing for past mistakes
Please come back home
Wanting reconciliation
Friday, I woke up crying
Feeling sadness upon waking
With the sniff of a tear
Barely holding back tears
Come along long lonesome Saturday
Another day of longing and loneliness
I did the same thing all over again
Continuing to reach out
Yes, I did
Admitting to repeating the same behavior
This is my seventh letter, baby
I'm still trying to communicate with you
On this bright Sunday morning
Another attempt on yet another day
Just got off my knees from praying
Asking God for help
I said, Oh, Lord, oh, Lord
Pleading for divine intervention
Please send her back home
Asking for the recipient's return
Can't she hear me talking to her
Rhetorical question expressing frustration
Seven letters, seven days
One letter for every day of the week
Seven long, lonely days
The time without the recipient has been difficult
There, I said it
Admitting the full extent of their feelings
Yes, it is
Confirming that this is the final communication
Oh, yes, it is
Emphatically stating that this is the end
Contributed by Liam E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Barbie Timmermans
One of the greats 👏👏👏 They don’t music like this anymore
Elena Binghan Thorbourne
Eee
mrob75
This beautiful forgotten 45 was on the airwaves Christmas 1964...Not sure why it fell shy of charting onto the Top 40. This hit has a bit of a country feel to it...Ben E. King was so versatile and a very underrated solo singer / performer.
Birmingham Knight
I remember these songs by Ben E. King when I was in elementary school. Sound so good. Precious memories....
Jen Rose
I had the experience of dancing on stage with this Great Singer 2 years before he left us
Norma J.
One of my favorite singer of that era too
steelmanK
This is a stunningly good recording. The soft beat, the background singers, the orchestra, & timely delivery of the lyrics are all amazingly combined here to make this incomparable.
younglove71
R.I.P Seven letters was my moms favorite song before she passed away. You will be missed Ben E King!
DACOLINC
Was looking here for this truly beautiful rare gem for a while, to add to my favorites but, it never showed in the search results. I am so happy it showed tonight! Thanks for posting! Blessings
Quincy Demetrius
2019 and still sounds as fresh