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.

Your Lovin
Ben E. King Lyrics

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You gotta give me some
Give me some of your lovin'
You gotta give me some of your lovin'

Now I'm not a greedy girl
I don't need the world
(Just give me some)
Some of your lovin' now,

Now I don't expect you to guarantee
Your faith and devotion to only me
I'm aware you got a lot of wild oats to sow
But baby when I need you
Don't you tell me no

You gotta give me some
(Give me some of your lovin')
Oh yes you do now
You gotta give me some of your lovin'

Now I'm not a jealous child
My demands are mild
(Just give me some)
Some of your lovin' now,

I know a man likes to feel that he's been around
Before he decides to settle down
I've no doubt
Some day you're gonna feel that way too
But baby, just remember
(Until you do)

You gotta give me some
(Give me some of your lovin')
Oh yes you do now
I mean to tell you
(You gotta give me some)
Of your lovin'

Now I'm not a greedy girl
I don't need the world
(Just give me some)
Some of your lovin' now,

You gotta give me some, some of your lovin'
I mean to tell you
(You gotta give me some of your lovin')
Oh, don't forget about me now
I mean to tell you, oh

Ah, you gotta give me some of your lovin'
Some of your lovin'

Overall Meaning

In "Your Lovin’," Ben E. King makes it clear that he just wants some lovin' from his partner. He understands that they might not be ready for a committed relationship, but he still wants them to give him what they can. King admits that he knows his partner will likely want to sow their wild oats before settling down, but he's still asking for their love in the meantime. King's desire for love is not driven by greed, but by a true need for emotional connection.

The lyrics are a testament to the idea that sometimes, all we need is a little love, even if we know it might not last forever. Ben E. King's smooth vocals make the song feel romantic and vulnerable, and the simplicity of the melody allows the lyrics to take center stage. "Your Lovin'" is a classic soul ballad that captures the nuances of relationships and human emotion.

Line by Line Meaning

You gotta give me some
I need some affection from you

Give me some of your lovin'
Specifically, I need some of your love

Now I'm not a greedy girl
I'm not asking for too much

I don't need the world
I don't need everything, just your love

(Just give me some)
That's all I'm asking for

Now I don't expect you to guarantee
I know you can't promise everything

Your faith and devotion to only me
I understand you have other interests

I'm aware you got a lot of wild oats to sow
I know you want to explore and have fun

But baby when I need you
However, I need you at certain times

Don't you tell me no
So please don't say no

Now I'm not a jealous child
I'm not possessive or controlling