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.
When You Love Someone
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So you ride the wave
The liquor had you feeling a kind of brave
So go on your way
Going through our messages
Thinking I was trippin' when you left
Making me lose sense of time
Overthinking what I didn't do right
There were things I wish I'd said
You couldn't even look me in the eye
Another bottle another lie
Drink drink drink then we're in the bed
Make make make make make up sex
It's just a fuck
There ain't no love
I'm over us
And you've drank enough
The liquor had you feeling a type of way
So you ride the wave
The liquor had you feeling a kind of brave
So go on your way
One day you want me
The next day you don't
You claim that the liquor
Made you feel what you won't
You only love me when you're drunk
Unholy water in your cup
Drink drink drink then we're in the bed
Make make make make make up sex
It's just a fuck
There ain't no love
It's obvious
That you've drank enough
The liquor had you feeling a type of way
So you ride the wave
The liquor had you feeling a kind of brave
So go on your way
In Ben E. King's song "When You Love Someone," the lyrics delve into the complex dynamics of a toxic relationship where alcohol is a prominent factor. The opening lines, "The liquor had you feeling a type of way, so you ride the wave," immediately highlight the effects of alcohol on the singer's behavior. It suggests that when under the influence, their emotions and actions become distorted.
The lyrics go on to describe how the singer's partner often becomes more audacious when drinking, feeling a false sense of bravery. This leads to moments of conflict and tension between them. The line, "Thinking I was trippin' when you left, making me lose sense of time," indicates that the singer's partner may have a habit of leaving abruptly, causing confusion and instability in the relationship.
The singer expresses their frustration and self-doubt, spending time replaying old arguments and wishing they had addressed certain issues differently. The inability of the partner to maintain eye contact during these heated discussions is further evidence of their lack of emotional investment.
The lyrics also touch upon the cycle of destructive behavior in their intimacy. The mention of "another bottle, another lie" suggests that alcohol not only fuels arguments but is also intertwined with their sexual encounters. The line "It's just a fuck, there ain't no love" speaks to the hollowness and lack of emotional connection in their physical interactions.
As the song progresses, the singer grows weary of this toxic dynamic. They realize that the partner's love seems conditional, only expressed when under the influence of alcohol. The lines "One day you want me, the next day you don't" highlight the inconsistency and unpredictability of their feelings. The partner uses the excuse of being intoxicated to justify their fluctuating emotions, claiming that alcohol makes them feel what they normally wouldn't.
Ultimately, the singer reaches a breaking point and acknowledges that they have had enough of this destructive relationship. They understand that the partner has consumed enough alcohol to the point where it no longer serves as a valid excuse for their behavior. The lyrics convey a sense of resignation and a desire to move on, urging the partner to leave and go their own way.
In summary, Ben E. King's "When You Love Someone" portrays the turbulent and toxic nature of a relationship heavily influenced by alcohol. The lyrics capture the distorted emotions, inconsistent affections, and destructive patterns that arise within such a dynamic. It explores the singer's growing awareness of this toxic cycle and their decision to break free from it.
Line by Line Meaning
The liquor had you feeling a type of way
Alcohol influenced your emotions and altered your state of mind
So you ride the wave
You succumb to the temporary euphoria and effects of alcohol
The liquor had you feeling a kind of brave
Alcohol gave you a false sense of courage and confidence
So go on your way
You are encouraged to continue with your actions fueled by alcohol
Going through our messages
Reviewing our communications
Thinking I was trippin' when you left
Believing that I was overreacting or mistaken when you departed
Making me lose sense of time
Causing me to lose track of time
Overthinking what I didn't do right
Excessively analyzing my perceived shortcomings and mistakes
The arguments play in my head
Replaying our arguments in my mind
There were things I wish I'd said
Regretting not expressing certain thoughts or feelings
You couldn't even look me in the eye
You lacked the courage or honesty to maintain eye contact
Another bottle another lie
Each time you drink more, another deception follows
Drink drink drink then we're in the bed
Consuming alcohol leads to engaging in sexual activity
Make make make make make up sex
Engaging in sexual activity as a means of resolving conflicts
It's just a fuck
It is purely a physical act devoid of emotional connection
There ain't no love
There is no genuine affection or love present
I'm over us
I have moved on from our relationship
And you've drank enough
You have consumed a sufficient amount of alcohol
One day you want me
At times, you desire my presence and affection
The next day you don't
On other occasions, you no longer have those feelings
You claim that the liquor
You assert that alcohol
Made you feel what you won't
Caused you to experience emotions you are unwilling to acknowledge or express
You only love me when you're drunk
Your affection for me is only apparent when under the influence of alcohol
Unholy water in your cup
You consume alcohol, which symbolizes a negative influence or temptation
It's obvious
It is clear and evident
That you've drank enough
You have consumed a sufficient amount of alcohol
The liquor had you feeling a type of way
Alcohol influenced your emotions and altered your state of mind
So you ride the wave
You succumb to the temporary euphoria and effects of alcohol
The liquor had you feeling a kind of brave
Alcohol gave you a false sense of courage and confidence
So go on your way
You are encouraged to continue with your actions fueled by alcohol
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Kristian King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@machefertheophile8090
A wonderful song ! So underrated. Thank you so much for posting it !