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.
Staying Power
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ha
Keep doing that
Let me show it to you
Yeah
Ha
Ahh
Wow
See what I got
I gotta hell of a lot
Tell me what you feel
Is it real
Is it real
You know I got what it takes
And I can take a lot
Did you hear the last call baby
Me got staying power, ha
You and me we've got, huh, staying power, yeah
You got it, staying power, ha
I wonder when we're gonna make it
I wonder when we're gonna shake it
Rock me baby rock me
Come on you can shock me
Let's catch on to the groove
Make it move, make it move, yeah
You know how to work that thing
We'll work it, work it, work it
I can play ball baby
You and me got staying power, ha
You and me we've got, ha, staying power
(Ad-libbed vocals)
Ha
Oooh, watch'a
Give it to me
I wonder when we're gonna make it
I wonder when we're gonna shake it
I got fire down below
I'm just a regular dynamo
Want some smooth company
Don't lose control just hang on out with me
Got to get to know each other
We got plenty of time
Did you hear the last call baby
Me got staying power
Ha, you and me we've got, huh, staying power
Hey, ha, wow
Power, power, power, power
Power, power, power, staying power
Wow
I wonder when we're gonna stick it
I wonder when we're gonna trick it
Blow baby blow
Let's get down and go, go
Get yourself in the mood
Got to give a little bit of attitude
Baby don't you crash
Let's just trash, trash, trash
Did you hear the last call baby
Me got staying power, yeah
Ha, you and me we got staying power
Staying power
Yeah, yeah, gotcha
Freddie: This next song from album called "A Day at the Races",
this is song of my favourites,
it's called "Somebody To Love".
The lyrics to Ben E. King's song "Staying Power" convey the confidence and determination of the singer in a relationship. The repeated use of "Ha" and "Wow" at the beginning suggests the excitement and energy the person feels. They are asserting their worth and pointing out that they have a lot to offer in the relationship. They want to know if their partner feels the same way and if the connection between them is genuine.
The lines "Did you hear the last call baby, Me got staying power" emphasize the person's resilience and ability to endure in the relationship. They believe that they can handle any challenges or obstacles that may come their way. The repetition of the phrase "staying power" reinforces this idea and signifies their commitment and dedication.
The lyrics also express a sense of anticipation and curiosity about the future of the relationship. The lines "I wonder when we're gonna make it, I wonder when we're gonna shake it" indicate the person's desire for progress and excitement. They want to take the relationship to the next level and are eager to see how things evolve.
The song also contains elements of sensuality and passion. The lyrics "I got fire down below, I'm just a regular dynamo" suggest a strong sexual energy and a confident self-image. The person wants to connect on a deep level, both emotionally and physically. Overall, the song "Staying Power" is a declaration of confidence, resilience, and anticipation in a romantic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Ha
Expressing amusement or joy
Keep doing that
Continue with your current actions
Let me show it to you
Allow me to demonstrate or present something to you
Yeah
An expression of affirmation
Ahh
An expression of satisfaction or pleasure
Wow
Expressing astonishment or admiration
See what I got
Take a look at what I possess or offer
I gotta hell of a lot
I have a significant amount or quantity
Tell me what you feel
Inform me about your emotions or thoughts
Is it real
Is it genuine or authentic
You know I got what it takes
You are aware that I possess the necessary qualities or abilities
And I can take a lot
I can endure or handle a great deal
Did you hear the last call baby
Were you aware of the most recent announcement, my dear
Me got staying power, ha
I possess resilience or endurance, haha
You and me we've got, huh, staying power, yeah
Both you and I possess the ability to persevere, yes
You got it, staying power, ha
You possess the quality of resilience, haha
I wonder when we're gonna make it
I am curious about the time when we will succeed or achieve our goals
I wonder when we're gonna shake it
I am curious about the time when we will bring excitement or energy
Rock me baby rock me
Please provide me with musical enjoyment and rhythm
Come on you can shock me
Encourage and surprise me with your actions
Let's catch on to the groove
Let's understand and follow the rhythm or vibe
Make it move, make it move, yeah
Cause it to happen or progress, yes
You know how to work that thing
You are knowledgeable about operating or utilizing that object
We'll work it, work it, work it
We will put effort into improving or using it effectively
I can play ball baby
I have the skills or abilities to participate in a game, my dear
You and me got staying power, ha
Both you and I possess the quality of resilience, haha
You and me we've got, ha, staying power
Both you and I possess the ability to persevere, haha
Ha
Expressing amusement or joy
Oooh, watch'a
Oh, pay attention or observe
Give it to me
Provide or give something to me
I got fire down below
I have intense passion or desire
I'm just a regular dynamo
I am a typical energetic or forceful person
Want some smooth company
Desire the presence of someone who is pleasant and enjoyable
Don't lose control just hang on out with me
Maintain composure and spend time with me
Got to get to know each other
We must become acquainted with one another
We got plenty of time
We have a sufficient amount of time available
Did you hear the last call baby
Were you aware of the most recent announcement, my dear
Me got staying power
I possess resilience or endurance
Ha, you and me we've got, huh, staying power
Both you and I possess the ability to persevere, right
Hey, ha, wow
Expressing surprise or amazement
Power, power, power, power
The ability, influence, or control
Power, power, power, staying power
The ability to endure or persevere
Wow
Expressing astonishment or admiration
I wonder when we're gonna stick it
I am curious about the time when we will succeed or achieve our goals completely
I wonder when we're gonna trick it
I am curious about the time when we will deceive or outsmart others
Blow baby blow
Excel or succeed significantly, my dear
Let's get down and go, go
Let's engage enthusiastically and proceed rapidly
Get yourself in the mood
Prepare yourself mentally or emotionally
Got to give a little bit of attitude
Need to display a slight amount of confidence or boldness
Baby don't you crash
Darling, don't collapse or fail
Let's just trash, trash, trash
Let's just demolish or destroy, repeatedly
Did you hear the last call baby
Were you aware of the most recent announcement, my dear
Me got staying power
I possess resilience or endurance
Yeah
An expression of affirmation
Ha, you and me we got staying power
Both you and I possess the ability to persevere
Staying power
The ability to endure or persist
Yeah, yeah, gotcha
Yes, yes, I understand or acknowledge
Freddie: This next song from album called "A Day at the Races", this is song of my favourites, it's called "Somebody To Love".
Freddie: The upcoming song is from the album 'A Day at the Races' and it happens to be one of my favorites. It is titled 'Somebody To Love'.
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