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.
have you seen her
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm glad I opened your eyes
The have-nots would have tried to freeze you in ice
Have you seen your brother, baby, standing in the shadow?
Have you had another baby, standing in the shadow?
Well, I was just passing the time
I'm all alone, won't you give all your sympathy to mine?
Tell me a story about how you adore me
Live in the shadow, see through the shadow
Live through the shadow, tear at the shadow
Hate in the shadow and love in your shadowy life
Have you seen your lover, baby, standing in the shadow?
Has he had another baby, standing in the shadow?
'Cause baby, where have you been all your life?
Talking about all the people who should try anything twice
Have you seen your mother, baby, standing in the shadow?
Have you had another baby, standing in the shadow?
You take your choice at this time
The brave old world or the slide to the depths of decline, of decline
The lyrics of "Have You Seen Her" by Ben E. King are filled with sadness, bitterness, and confusion. It seems like the singer is addressing someone he used to love and asking them if they have moved on with someone else. He asks if they have had another baby and if they have seen their brother, lover, or mother standing in the shadow. The imagery of the shadow is used repeatedly, and it seems like the singer is referring to a life of secrecy, hiding from the truth, and the pain that comes with it.
The line "Tell me a story about how you adore me" is particularly poignant because it suggests that the love between the two has faded, and the singer wants the other person to remind themselves of what it used to feel like. He talks about living in the shadow, seeing through it, tearing at it, and hating and loving in the shadowy life. It's as if the singer is trying to come to terms with the idea that their love has become a secret, something to be hidden away in the shadows.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you had another, baby, standing in the shadow?
Did you cheat on me and have another lover who was concealed in the shadows?
I'm glad I opened your eyes
I am happy that I made you see the truth about something.
The have-nots would have tried to freeze you in ice
Those without power would have tried to punish you harshly.
Have you seen your brother, baby, standing in the shadow?
Have you noticed that your sibling is being hidden or ignored?
Well, I was just passing the time
I was only filling the empty moments with this conversation.
I'm all alone, won't you give all your sympathy to mine?
I feel very lonely and I would like you to empathize with me.
Tell me a story about how you adore me
I want to hear you express your love and admiration for me in a compelling way.
Live in the shadow, see through the shadow
Stay hidden in the shadows or see what's really happening despite the concealment.
Live through the shadow, tear at the shadow
Survive the darkness and try to break free from it.
Hate in the shadow and love in your shadowy life
Sometimes negative emotions can exist in secret, even if the surface appears positive.
Has he had another baby, standing in the shadow?
Did your partner cheat on you with someone else who was hiding in the shadows?
'Cause baby, where have you been all your life?
I can't believe I didn't meet you sooner!
Talking about all the people who should try anything twice
Discussing how some people are more adventurous and willing to take risks in life.
Have you seen your mother, baby, standing in the shadow?
Have you noticed that your mom is being hidden or ignored?
You take your choice at this time
It's up to you to make a decision right now.
The brave old world or the slide to the depths of decline, of decline
You can choose to embrace the challenges of life or fall into a spiral of despair and failure.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@trixoan1502
When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No, I won't be afraid
Oh, I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me
So darlin', darlin', stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand
Stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No, I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me
And darlin', darlin', stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now
Stand by me, stand by me
And darlin', darlin', stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now
Stand by me, stand by me
Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Won't you stand by
@jesserowbotham
I was adopted by my father who was African American I was a Caucasian boy. I was bullied all the time because my father and I looked so different but he would always tell me, we may look a little different on the outside but we are all the same it’s not what counts on The outside but what’s inside you as a person that’s where your real worth is .my father was an amazing man I worked hard In all aspects whether it would be school training martial arts self defence.
This man was truly my real father no one could make me feel otherwise.
Unfortunately 2 years ago he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer very low life expectancy he battled on as he does he did everything he could to fight the cancer but slowly he deteriorated and
Then it was all of a sudden he was in his death bed.
He passed and we played
This song at his funerals which was one of his favourite as.
Everyone I hear this song I hurt so much just all the emotion coming bag from
Dad, but I also love
It because it make m e feel so close to him once
Again even though I know he’s not with us…
@JianKaruro0048
🎶 So darlin', darlin', stand by me
Oh, stand by me........
Lumalabas, lumalabas
Banyo Queen 🎶
😅😅😅😅😅
I'm from the Philippines 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭
Merry Christmas, everyone ❄️☃️🎅🎄
Maligayang Pasko sa ating lahat ❄️☃️🎅🎄
MABUHAY!!!!! 🙌🙌🙌
@harleyatkins2008
In 1968 I head Ben E. King sing this song at a small club on the coast of SC. King had a small band of 3 or 4 guys and I can still remember the single violin. The venue was not air conditioned. I was 18. The girl I was with was 17. 52 years later we are still a couple. And I still love the song.
@paxi4165
Harley Atkins awwwwwwww
@mandrew296
That's so sweet. Very cool to see a fellow South Carolinian in the comments!
@aviralmittal89
May you guys have a long and happy life ❤️
@adrianrubionavarro4256
Wow
@toprock1301
Much respect sir. I tip my hat
@atlui415
When the boys are gone and you can listen to real music
@narfazlee5162
Be proud of your music taste bro
@tonov451
FAXXXXX
@frostysugartits1725
@@tonov451 “YOU’RE FIRED” back to the future reference...