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.
What a Difference a Day Made
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Twenty-four little hours
Brought the sun and the flowers
Where there used to be rain
My yesterday was blue, dear
Today I'm part of you, dear
My lonely nights are through, dear
What a difference a day makes
There's a rainbow before me
Skies above can't be stormy
Since that moment of bliss, that thrilling kiss
It's heaven when you find romance on your menu
What a difference a day made
And the difference is you
The lyrics of the song "What a Difference a Day Made" by Ben E. King express how a single day can change everything in a person's life. The song starts by saying that in just 24 hours, rain, which used to fill the singer's day, was replaced by sunshine and flowers. It talks about how the singer's yesterday was filled with sadness and loneliness, however, their luck changed when they met their love interest.
The song then goes on to express the happiness and hope the singer feels after finding their true love. They say that nothing seems impossible with their newfound love, and the skies above can never be stormy with the happiness that their love brings. The song expresses how finding love can change one's life completely, and the difference in the singer's life is their newfound love.
Overall, the song provides a message of hope and how the smallest of moments and experiences can change a person's life in a big way.
Line by Line Meaning
What a difference a day made
The impact that 24 hours can have is remarkable
Twenty-four little hours
Even a small amount of time can bring about significant change
Brought the sun and the flowers
Positive things can happen unexpectedly
Where there used to be rain
Difficult times can be replaced by happiness and joy
My yesterday was blue, dear
I was unhappy and sad in my past
Today I'm part of you, dear
Now I belong to someone in ways that change me for the better
My lonely nights are through, dear
I don't feel lonely anymore, because I have found love and companionship
Since you said you were mine
Once I knew that you loved me, everything changed for the better
There's a rainbow before me
My future looks bright and optimistic
Skies above can't be stormy
I know that things will be ok, even when they seem tough
Since that moment of bliss, that thrilling kiss
Everything has been different and amazing since we got together
It's heaven when you find romance on your menu
It's amazing to have love and romance in your life, it makes you feel like you're in heaven
And the difference is you
Everything changed for me because I met you and fell in love
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARIA GREVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joeoconnor5400
Northern Soul classic anyone?