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.
The Little Drummer Boy
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
on my drum?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
The Little Drummer Boy is a Christmas carol that tells the story of a poor boy who is invited to see the newborn king and brings no gift except his drum. The boy doubts whether he can bring any comfort to baby Jesus, but Mary responds by nodding, indicating that any offering made with a pure heart is acceptable. The singer then begins to play his drum, and the animals in the stable join in ritually, keeping rhythm with his drumming. By the end of the song, the boy feels that he has done his best to pay homage to the Infant King, and Jesus begins to smile in response to the boy’s love offering.
This song has become a classic Christmas carol and has been performed by a diverse range of artists and in multiple languages. The Little Drummer Boy has undergone multiple sequels, including The Little Drummer Boy, Book II, released in 1976, which was an animated television special. The song has inspired numerous parodies, including a famous Saturday Night Live skit that replaces the lyrics with “The Little Chocolate Donut Boy.” Interestingly, the melody that forms the basis of The Little Drummer Boy is also the same as the well-known Czech carol "Carol of the Drum," which was written in 1941 by a composer named Karel Hába.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They instructed me to come with drum beats.
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To witness the arrival of the newly born king.
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We offer the best presents we can find.
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To offer gifts to the newly born king.
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
The continuous sound of the drum while traveling.
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
To respect and show admiration to the new king.
When we come
Once we reach our destination to see the newborn king.
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
A description of the newborn king.
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I, too, come from humble beginnings.
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I don't have any gifts worthy of the new king.
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Gifts that are worthy of the newly born king.
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The continuous sound of the drumbeat while offering to play his drum.
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
Would you like me to play my drum for you?
on my drum?
Playing his drum as an alternative gift for the king.
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary agreed to allow the boy to play his drum.
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The animals present kept rhythm to the sound of the drum.
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
The boy followed through and played his drum for the newborn king.
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
The boy played his drum with great effort and vigor in honor of the newly born king.
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The continuous sound of the drum while playing for the king.
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The newborn king showed gratitude and happiness for the boy's gift.
Me and my drum
The boy and his drum, his humble gift for the newborn king.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaelwashington6680
This is one of my favorite Christmas songs of all time, Ben E. King ,One of the greatest singers of all time, absolutely magnificent.
@bennyjazzful
Another masterpiece from Ben E.King. What a voice.He must be in the top ten of all vocalists,especially Soul & R & B. Amazing sounds & so,so good. That backing is superb also.
@baddogmaine
This is one of my absolute favorite Christmas songs. And the whole album is magnificent!
@tennagerofthe60s
the best singer, ever. Love him
@drea2453
He was the very best !
@lmartinich
This one gets me moving!
@Nitetrainism
100% Memphis Music.
@pisoipisoi7584
aretha`franklin`sing`at`his`funerals..,
@peterfernandez9670
SiriusXM brought me here