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.

We've Got Tonight
Ben E. King Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

DO IT!
YOU WANNA FIGHT TONIGHT? ARE YOU SURE YOU WANNA DO IT?
WE GOT TONIGHT TO FIGHT, LET’S DO IT

IT WON’T TAKE LONG, TO PROVE HOW WRONG YOU’VE BEEN
SO MAKE A CHOICE RIGHT NOW, WILL YOU STAY OR GO… GO!
PUSH THROUGH IT, PUSH THROUGH IT, WE PUT OUR HEART AND SOUL INTO IT

YOU WANNA FIGHT TONIGHT? ARE YOU SURE YOU WANNA DO IT?
WE GOT TONIGHT TO FIGHT, LET’S DO IT

MIND OVER FIST, DON’T MATTER TO YOU
SO LET’S GET IT OVER WITH, DOESN’T MATTER WHAT’S TRUE…. TRUTH!
LIVE THROUGH IT, WE LIVE TO DO IT, WE PUT OUR HEART & SOUL INTO IT

LET’S TALK IT THROUGH, BEFORE I RUN YOU THROUGH
LET’S TALK IT THROUGH, NEVERMIND I’LL RUN YOU THROUGH INSTEAD.

YOU WANNA FIGHT TONIGHT? ARE YOU SURE YOU WANNA DO IT?
WE GOT TONIGHT TO FIGHT, LET’S DO IT

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ben E. King's song "We've Got Tonight" convey a sense of anticipation and challenge towards an imminent confrontation. The repetition of phrases like "You wanna fight tonight?" and "Are you sure you wanna do it?" suggest a strong desire to engage in a physical altercation. The song expresses a readiness to prove someone wrong and settle a dispute.

The lyrics emphasize the limited time available to engage in this fight, as indicated by the line "We got tonight to fight." This sense of urgency implies a desire to confront the issue at hand without delay. The phrase "Push through it, push through it, we put our heart and soul into it" suggests a determination to invest all of one's energy and effort into the fight, further emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

The song also touches on the lack of concern for the consequences of the fight. The line "Mind over fist, doesn't matter to you" implies a disregard for the potential harm that may result from the altercation. The lyrics indicate a willingness to get the fight over with, irrespective of the truth or reasoning behind the conflict. "Doesn't matter what's true" suggests a focus on the act of confrontation itself rather than the underlying issues.

In the final paragraph, the lyrics introduce the idea of discussing the conflict before resorting to physical violence. However, this sentiment quickly shifts as the line "Nevermind I'll run you through instead" suggests a preference for confrontation over dialogue. This line reinforces the assertive and aggressive tone of the song, further emphasizing the desire and readiness to engage in a fight.

Line by Line Meaning

DO IT!
Take action and engage in a physical confrontation.

YOU WANNA FIGHT TONIGHT? ARE YOU SURE YOU WANNA DO IT?
Are you truly determined to engage in a fight this evening?

WE GOT TONIGHT TO FIGHT, LET’S DO IT
We have this opportunity tonight to engage in a fight, so let's take advantage of it.

IT WON’T TAKE LONG, TO PROVE HOW WRONG YOU’VE BEEN
It won't require much time to demonstrate the extent of your mistaken beliefs or actions.

SO MAKE A CHOICE RIGHT NOW, WILL YOU STAY OR GO… GO!
Make a decision at this moment, will you remain here or depart immediately?

PUSH THROUGH IT, PUSH THROUGH IT, WE PUT OUR HEART AND SOUL INTO IT
Persist and overcome the obstacles in our way, as we have invested our utmost effort and passion.

MIND OVER FIST, DON’T MATTER TO YOU
You prioritize physical aggression over rational thinking or reasoning.

SO LET’S GET IT OVER WITH, DOESN’T MATTER WHAT’S TRUE…. TRUTH!
So, let's conclude this fight quickly, disregarding the validity of facts or reality.

LIVE THROUGH IT, WE LIVE TO DO IT, WE PUT OUR HEART & SOUL INTO IT
Endure the consequences of this confrontation, as this is an integral part of our existence, and we have devoted our utmost effort and passion to it.

LET’S TALK IT THROUGH, BEFORE I RUN YOU THROUGH
Let's communicate and discuss the matter thoroughly before resorting to physically harming you.

LET’S TALK IT THROUGH, NEVERMIND I’LL RUN YOU THROUGH INSTEAD.
Initially suggesting a desire for conversation, but then choosing to metaphorically defeat or conquer you instead.

YOU WANNA FIGHT TONIGHT? ARE YOU SURE YOU WANNA DO IT?
Are you absolutely certain and resolute in your intention to engage in a fight this evening?

WE GOT TONIGHT TO FIGHT, LET’S DO IT
We have this opportunity tonight to engage in a fight, so let's make use of it.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Dan Nastasi, Larry Nieroda, Dylan Gadino

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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