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.
Supernatural Thing Pt 1
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your love, your love, supernatural thing, oh babe
Your love (your love, your love) supernatural thing (supernatural), oh babe (supernatural)
Your love, your love (your love, your love) supernatural thing (supernatural), oh babe (supernatural)
When we touch, give me such a funny feeling in my brain
I′m so possessed by your love, sometimes I don't even know my name
When we kiss, you know you make me hot
You give me, give me all you got
Don′t stop it, baby, 'cause I need a lot
Your love (your love, your love) supernatural thing (supernatural), oh woman (supernatural)
Your love, your love (your love, your love) supernatural thing (supernatural), oh (supernatural)
What you say? Interplanetary, extraordinary love (interplanetary)
What you say? (Extraordinary)
Hey! (Supernatural)
I like it (supernatural)
Listen, interplanetary, oh, extraordinary love (interplanetary)
I like it (extraordinary) that burning love (supernatural)
Oh, baby (supernatural)
You give me cosmic feeling every time that I squeeze you
Your love's so electrifying, so satisfying
Lord knows I ain′t lyin′
Your love (your love, your love) supernatural thing (supernatural), oh babe (supernatural)
Your love (your love, your love) lord, it's a supernatural thing (supernatural)
What you say? (Supernatural)
What you say? Interplanetary, extraordinary love (interplanetary)
What you say? (Extraordinary)
Hey (supernatural)
I like it (supernatural)
Listen, interplanetary, oh, extraordinary love (interplanetary)
I like it (extraordinary) that burning love (supernatural)
Oh, babe (supernatural)
Listen, interplanetary, oh extraordinary, ooh (interplanetary)
I like it (extraordinary)
Surely I like it (supernatural)
Baby (supernatural)
One more time, do, do, do
The lyrics to Ben E. King's song "Supernatural Thing Pt 1" describe the intense and otherworldly experience of being in love. The repeated refrain of "your love, your love, supernatural thing" evokes the sense that the love experienced by the singer is beyond the natural world. When the singer touches their lover, they feel a strange sensation in their brain, and they become so consumed by love that they lose track of their own identity. The love is described as "interplanetary" and "extraordinary," emphasizing its otherworldly nature.
Furthermore, the lyrics suggest that this love is electrifying and satisfying, bringing the singer a "cosmic feeling" when they are close to their lover. The love is so intense that the singer breaks out in "little bitty green spots" and they need their lover's all-encompassing affection. The song ends with a repetition of the refrain, along with the phrase "do, do, do," emphasizing the cyclical nature of the love experience. Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of love that is all-consuming and almost magical in its intensity.
Line by Line Meaning
Your love, your love, supernatural thing
The love my partner gives me is otherworldly and unbelievable
Your love (your love, your love) supernatural thing (supernatural), oh babe (supernatural)
My partner's love is so powerful and mystical, I can hardly believe it
When we touch, give me such a funny feeling in my brain
Whenever we embrace, I feel an indescribable sensation in my mind
I′m so possessed by your love, sometimes I don't even know my name
I am consumed by your love to the point where I lose track of myself
When we kiss, you know you make me hot
You make me feel intensely aroused when we kiss
I break out sometimes, in little bitty green spots
You have such a profound effect on me that I feel physical manifestations of adoration
You give me, give me all you got
You show me an immense amount of love and affection
Don′t stop it, baby, 'cause I need a lot
Don't stop loving me because I require so much of it
What you say? Interplanetary, extraordinary love (interplanetary)
Our connection is so strong that it transcends earthly boundaries and is out of this world
What you say? (Extraordinary)
What we have is truly incomparable and amazing
Hey! (Supernatural)
Our love is supernatural and beyond comprehension
I like it (supernatural)
I enjoy this fantastical and unbelievable love
You give me cosmic feeling every time that I squeeze you
Every time I hold you close, I experience a sensation akin to being in outer space
Your love's so electrifying, so satisfying
Your love fills me with an electrifying energy and satisfies me like nothing else
Lord knows I ain′t lyin′
I speak the truth about how amazing your love is
Your love (your love, your love) lord, it's a supernatural thing (supernatural)
The transcendent experience of your love is beyond human explanation or understanding
Listen, interplanetary, oh, extraordinary love (interplanetary)
Our love is so extraordinary that it extends beyond the bounds of this planet
I like it (extraordinary) that burning love (supernatural)
I enjoy our fiery, intense, and otherworldly passion and affection
Oh, baby (supernatural)
My love for you is supernatural, baby
Listen, interplanetary, oh extraordinary, ooh (interplanetary)
Our love is so special and unique that it defies all known boundaries
Surely I like it (supernatural)
I absolutely adore our inexplicable yet powerful love
Baby (supernatural)
My love for you is so inexplicable and otherworldly, baby
One more time, do, do, do
Let's revel in the indescribable and fantastical love we share, over and over again
Writer(s): Patrick Grant, Gwen Guthrie
Contributed by Lily E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mbrad2002
I don't care where you come from or where you been, if you listen to this song you are officially groovy as he'll and I love you!
@inconito3961
thank you I am awn African man from Algeria
@craigwillumsen5825
I'mma white man raised in Baltimore, raised by people of color. They showed me love. Motown was always playing. I thank God for them everyday. MotherAnna Mae (R.I.P)
@imbees2
Alright now, craigwillumsen!. Glad you're loving the song.
@tonyqwabe5873
Bab'wami
@imbees2
Git it Craig!
@ahmedissa8702
Old days were days like no other days, everything was good and classic. We can’t compare old days life and music to today’s times.
@AndresGonzalez-dc8wb
Nunca.
@josegomez-fj3be
69 YRS. YOUNG STILL LISTENING TO THIS JAM 2020 FORGETTING ABOUT THIS COVID 19 WHO ELSE
@josegomez-fj3be
IM FROM CHI TOWN AND STILL STEPPING WHO ELSE OUT THERE IS STEPPING WITH ME