Ben E. King (born Benjamin Earl Nelson in September 28, 1938 (died of natur… Read Full Bio ↴Ben E. King (born Benjamin Earl Nelson in September 28, 1938 (died of natural causes, aged 76 on April 30, 2015.) in Henderson, North Carolina) was an American soul and pop singer. He is best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", a top ten hit in both 1961 and 1986.

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.

True Love True Love
Ben E. King Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh oh oh oh ho oh
Oh oh oh oh ho oh

I want in like a substitute
I've been working awful hard for you
But you don't say, you just hold your breath
So I can't touch what I haven't yet
She's a cold one and it hurts me so

And it's a dark path and a heck of a cold
And she can feel me just like she did before

Oh we'd be so free
Happy alone
Sharing a smile
So far from home

Push in and I pull it away
It's a hard part but the true love way
Girl you want it like I want it now
With your smart mouth and your killer hands
We could both share all that I have made
For a young man it's a heck of a wage
And I feel crazy when I see your face

Oh oh oh oh ho oh

'Cause we'd be so free (Oh oh oh oh ho oh)
Happy alone (Oh oh oh oh ho oh)
Sharing a smile (Oh oh oh oh ho oh)
So far from home (Oh oh oh oh ho oh)
And we would laugh (Oh oh oh oh ho oh)
Laugh till we cried (Oh oh oh oh ho oh)
Making a song (Oh oh oh oh ho oh)
Making a lie (Oh oh oh oh ho oh)

And people say I'm crazy for walking this town
And people say I'm bigger for walking this town
And people say maybe they're just wandering around
And people say I'm bigger for walking a'

Oh oh oh oh ho oh
Oh oh oh oh ho oh
Oh oh oh oh ho oh
Oh oh oh oh ho oh

And we'd be so free
Happy alone
Sharing a smile
So far from home
And we would laugh
Laugh till we cried
Making a song

Making a lie
Happy alone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ben E. King's song "True Love True Love" delve into the complexities of a relationship that is filled with longing, frustration, and a longing for freedom. In the first verse, the singer expresses their desire to be fully involved in the relationship ("I want in like a substitute"), indicating that they have put in a lot of effort and work to earn the affection of their partner. However, there seems to be a lack of communication and emotional openness ("But you don't say, you just hold your breath"), preventing the singer from truly connecting with their partner.

The second verse highlights the struggle that the singer encounters in trying to navigate the path of true love. It portrays their partner as someone distant and emotionally cold, causing them pain. Despite the difficulties, the singer believes that their partner still feels some connection to them, as indicated by the line "And she can feel me just like she did before," implying that there are moments of intimacy and closeness in their relationship.

The chorus expresses a strong yearning for freedom and happiness, both individually and together as a couple. They dream of a carefree existence where they can share smiles and be far away from any troubles or concerns, suggesting that they desire a sense of peace and contentment that is currently missing from their relationship.

In the bridge section, the singer reflects on the judgments and opinions of others regarding their decision to stay in this relationship. Despite the doubts of others, they believe that there is something significant and worthwhile about their journey and the love they share. The repetition of the phrase "walking this town" suggests that their commitment and willingness to work through the challenges of the relationship make them stand out in the eyes of others.

Overall, "True Love True Love" explores the ups and downs of a relationship, emphasizing the longing for connection, the difficulties faced, and the enduring belief in the power of true love. It captures the complexities of human emotion and the desire for freedom and happiness within a deep and genuine bond.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh oh oh oh ho oh
Expressing a sense of longing and anticipation

I want in like a substitute
Desiring to be accepted and valued as a replacement

I've been working awful hard for you
Putting in a lot of effort and dedication for your sake

But you don't say, you just hold your breath
Choosing not to communicate, keeping your feelings hidden

So I can't touch what I haven't yet
Unable to reach or experience something that is kept out of reach

She's a cold one and it hurts me so
Referring to someone who is emotionally distant, causing pain

And it's a dark path and a heck of a cold
Facing a challenging and lonely journey

And she can feel me just like she did before
Realizing that the person can still sense your presence

Oh we'd be so free
Imagining a sense of liberation and freedom

Happy alone
Finding happiness in solitude

Sharing a smile
Exchanging joyful moments with each other

So far from home
Being distant from familiar surroundings

Push in and I pull it away
Experiencing a push-and-pull dynamic in the relationship

It's a hard part but the true love way
Acknowledging that love often involves challenges and sacrifices

Girl you want it like I want it now
Expressing mutual desires and urgency

With your smart mouth and your killer hands
Referring to the person's clever and skilled attributes

We could both share all that I have made
Offering to share the fruits of one's labor and achievements

For a young man it's a heck of a wage
Highlighting the significant value of what the young man has achieved

And I feel crazy when I see your face
Experiencing intense emotions and a sense of madness upon seeing the person

And we would laugh
Imagining moments of shared laughter

Laugh till we cried
Laughing so hard that tears are shed

Making a song
Creating something meaningful and beautiful together

Making a lie
Potentially deceiving others or creating a false image

And people say I'm crazy for walking this town
Being judged and labeled as crazy for roaming around

And people say I'm bigger for walking this town
Being praised or admired for exploring and experiencing the town

And people say maybe they're just wandering around
Considering the possibility that others are simply aimlessly wandering

And people say I'm bigger for walking a'
Receiving recognition for venturing into the unknown

Oh we'd be so free
Reiterating the desire for freedom and liberation

Happy alone
Finding contentment and joy in solitude

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CALEB FOLLOWILL, JARED FOLLOWILL, MATTHEW FOLLOWILL, NATHAN FOLLOWILL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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