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.
Something to Be Loved
Ben E. King Lyrics
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How sweet it is to be loved by you
Ooh, baby, I needed the shelter of someone's arms
And there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs
And there you were
With sweet love and devotion
Deeply touching my emotion
I just want to stop and thank you, baby, hey now
How sweet it is to be loved by you, oh, baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you, yes it is
Close my eyes at night
And wonder what would I be without you in my life
Everything was just a bore
All the things I did, seems I've done 'em before
But you brightened up all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
I want to stop (stop) and thank you baby
I want to stop (stop) and thank you baby, yeah
How sweet it is to be loved by you, oh, yes, it is
How sweet it is to be loved by you, yes it is baby
You were better to me than I've been to myself
For me, there's you and nobody else
Stop (stop) and thank you baby
I want to stop (stop) and thank you baby
Oh, how sweet it is to be loved by you, tell the truth baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you, well, it's like sugar in my soul
How sweet it is to be loved by you, oh yes it is
The lyrics to Ben E. King's "How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You" express a deep appreciation for the love and support of a significant other. The singer reflects on the joy and comfort that comes with being loved and cherished by someone special. They acknowledge that they have found solace and comfort in the arms of their partner, someone who truly understands their ups and downs.
The lyrics also convey a sense of gratitude and admiration for the ways in which this love has transformed their life. The mundane and repetitive nature of their existence has been brightened and enlivened by the love they receive. They express a deep longing for their partner and recognize the positive impact they have had on their days.
Line by Line Meaning
How sweet it is to be loved by you, yes, baby
It is incredibly wonderful to experience the love and affection you give me, my dear.
Ooh, baby, I needed the shelter of someone's arms
In my times of vulnerability and despair, I longed for someone's comforting embrace.
And there you were
And just at that moment, you appeared in my life, offering the comfort and support I needed.
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs
I yearned for someone who could truly comprehend and empathize with both my joys and sorrows.
And there you were
And once again, you came into my life, ready to understand and embrace all aspects of my journey.
With sweet love and devotion
You showered me with affectionate love and unwavering commitment.
Deeply touching my emotion
Your love reached deep within me, profoundly stirring my emotions and bringing me immense happiness.
I want to stop (stop) and thank you, baby
I feel an overwhelming desire to pause and express my gratitude to you, my beloved.
I just want to stop and thank you, baby, hey now
All I truly wish is to take a moment and sincerely acknowledge your significance in my life, my dear.
Close my eyes at night
When I close my eyes before sleep overtakes me,
And wonder what would I be without you in my life
I contemplate what my existence would be like if you were not present in my life.
Everything was just a bore
Every aspect of my life felt mundane and uninteresting.
All the things I did, seems I've done 'em before
It seemed as if I had already experienced and accomplished everything before, lacking novelty and excitement.
But you brightened up all of my days
However, you brought light and joy into each and every day of mine.
With a love so sweet in so many ways
Your love was incredibly sweet and expressed itself in various delightful manners.
I want to stop (stop) and thank you baby
Once again, my heart yearns to pause and express heartfelt gratitude to you, my darling.
I want to stop (stop) and thank you baby, yeah
I desire, with great intensity, to halt and extend my gratitude to you, my love.
You were better to me than I've been to myself
You treated me with greater care and affection than I have ever shown myself.
For me, there's you and nobody else
In my world, you are the one and only, with no place for anyone else.
Stop (stop) and thank you baby
I beg of myself to temporarily pause and appreciate you, my dearest.
I want to stop (stop) and thank you baby
I yearn for a moment to cease and offer my heartfelt appreciation to you, my beloved.
Oh, how sweet it is to be loved by you, tell the truth baby
Oh, how incredibly delightful it is to experience your love, my dear. I implore you to acknowledge this truth.
How sweet it is to be loved by you, well, it's like sugar in my soul
The sweetness of being loved by you is akin to sugar infusing my very essence, bringing me immense joy and satisfaction.
How sweet it is to be loved by you, oh yes it is
Indeed, it is undeniably wonderful to be cherished and adored by you, my beloved.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Dozier, Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind