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.
That's When It Hurts
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, oh, oh, yeah
That's when it hurts, ooh
You don't kiss me like you used to do
You don't miss me, darling
Darling, darling, darling when the night is through
So I sit at home turn off the light, here comes the night
That's when it hurts?
I'm going downtown to Joey's place and I know that, darling
I'm gonna walk right in and I'll see your face
Yes, you'll be dancing with someone new, here comes the pain
That's when it hurts?
Then you're gonna see me sitting all alone, baby, at a corner table
And I'll be sitting there smiling, honey,
Sitting over there somewhere by myself
Smoking a cigarette
Then you're gonna feel that you'll have to come over
And say something real nice to me
Oh, baby, that's when my eyes will get wet
Then I'll walk out the door and I'll walk a-back home
Take the same street that we used to take when we walked alone
Then I'll see your friends all pitying me
Whoa, their sympathy
That's when it hurts
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
That's when it hurts
Yeah, yeah
It hurts, it hurts, oh, yeah
That's when it hurts
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
That's when it hurts
Yeah, yeah
It hurts, it hurts, oh, yeah
The lyrics to Ben E. King's song "That's When It Hurts" illustrate the painful and emotional journey of a man who has been left heartbroken by his lover. His pain stems from the fact that she doesn't love him as she used to anymore, and she doesn't show any affection towards him. As he watches her dance with someone new, he is overcome with pain and sadness, which makes him feel extremely lonely. He decides to leave and walk back home, and as he passes by the familiar places they both used to frequent together, he becomes flooded with memories of their past.
Despite the pain, the man stays strong and doesn't succumb to the sadness. At Joey's bar, he sits alone and smiles, showing that he can still find happiness without her. This is a big moment for him, and as a result, his eyes well up. He knows it's critical for him to move on, and the subsequent pain will only make his love stronger. While it may be difficult to let go of someone who has been an essential part of your life, the memories and the pain will only allow you to grow stronger.
In conclusion, the song "That's When It Hurts" is about moving on from a relationship that has ended painfully. It's a testament to the fact that letting go of people is never easy, but it is necessary to move forward. By acknowledging his pain and channeling it into something positive, the singer of the song shows that it is possible to find the strength to get through a tough time.
Line by Line Meaning
That's when it hurts
The phrase that describes the moment when the emotional pain is felt.
You don't kiss me like you used to do
Your attitude has changed towards me, and it's causing me pain.
You don't miss me, darling
You don't feel the same way about our relationship as you used to, and that hurts me.
Darling, darling, darling when the night is through
A plea to the partner to love them the way they did before.
So I sit at home turn off the light, here comes the night
The nights become lonely, and I just sit there doing nothing.
I'm going downtown to Joey's place and I know that, darling
I'm going out trying to forget you, but it's not going to work.
I'm gonna walk right in and I'll see your face
I know I will run into you, and it will cause me pain to see you with someone else.
Yes, you'll be dancing with someone new, here comes the pain
It's going to hurt to watch you move on with someone else.
Then you're gonna see me sitting all alone, baby, at a corner table
I'll make myself visible to you, so that you notice and feel bad for me.
And I'll be sitting there smiling, honey,
I'll pretend to be okay, even though it hurts inside.
Sitting over there somewhere by myself
I'll sit alone even though I'm in a crowded place.
Smoking a cigarette
I'll use tobacco as a crutch to help numb my emotional pain.
Then you're gonna feel that you'll have to come over
I know you'll notice and feel like you have to talk to me.
And say something real nice to me
You'll attempt to make me feel better with kind words.
Oh, baby, that's when my eyes will get wet
Despite pretending that I'm okay, your kind words will move me to tears.
Then I'll walk out the door and I'll walk a-back home
I'll leave and head back to an empty home.
Take the same street that we used to take when we walked alone
I'll walk the familiar path, which reminds me of our past.
Then I'll see your friends all pitying me
Seeing your friends will only add to my humiliation and emotional pain.
Whoa, their sympathy
Their perceived sympathy only makes me feel worse about myself.
It hurts, it hurts, oh, yeah
The repetition of 'it hurts' emphasizes the deep emotional pain being felt.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GERALD WEXLER, BERT BERNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Island Queen❤️
One of the Greatest voices of his generation.n the songs...are priceless💯❤️🇯🇲
Georgia S. Kalawan Miller
He was a favorite of Jamaica. Quite a few concerts there
Jean Mitchell
Ben E King one of the greatest singers ❤❤
evulmievl
I grew up on bands like poison, motley crue, ratt, metallica, etc. With a healthy respect for 70's rock. That being said Ben E. King was the real deal. So much emotion and soul in his voice. Truly an amazing talent.
Ronald Granville
Yes Lord. Tell it like it is BROTHER!!!!
evulmievl
@Ronald Granville they don't make them like him nowadays.
Barbie Timmermans
One of the greats 👏👏👏 They don’t make music like this anymore
Jean Mitchell
Doesn’t get any better than this ❤❤
donlawrence
they took WAAAAAAAY too long to have this guy inducted in the hall of fame, and he should be in every music hall of fame, also, ultimate respect to the song writer(s) on this one, these lyrics really bring on the hurt
kristina perry
I wish there was music like this nowadays ! Real music right here:) so soothing , just beautiful!