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.
perfidia
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My heart cries out "Perfidia"
For I find you, the love of my life
In somebody else's arms
Your eyes are echoing "Perfidia"
Forgetful of the promise of love
You're sharing another's charms
With a sad lament my dreams are faded like a broken melody
While the gods of love look down and laugh
At what romantic fools we mortals be
And now, I know* my love was not for you
And so I take it back with a sigh
Perfidious one, Goodbye
With a sad lament my dreams are faded like a broken melody
While the gods of love look down and laugh
At what romantic fools we mortals be
And now, I know* my love was not for you
And so I take it back with a sigh
Perfidious one, goodbye
Goodbye
The song Perfidia by Ben E. King is a melancholy ballad that expresses the heartbreak and despair of a person who has lost their love to another. The lyrics evoke a feeling of betrayal and disappointment, as the singer discovers that the person they love has chosen to be with someone else. The song's title, which means "betrayal" in Spanish, perfectly captures the theme of the song, as the singer laments the broken promise of love that he once shared with the woman he loved.
The lyrics of the song paint a vivid picture of the singer's emotional state, as he describes his heart crying out in pain, and his dreams fading like a broken melody. He feels like a fool for being so romantic and naive, as the gods of love look down and laugh at him. The singer realizes that his love was not meant to be, and he bids farewell to the woman who has betrayed him.
The song's slow tempo and emotional melody enhance the melancholic lyrics, creating a powerful and relatable ballad that has resonated with listeners for generations. The sentiment behind the song is universal, as everyone has experienced heartbreak and the pain of betrayal at some point in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
To you
Addressing the person they're speaking to.
My heart cries out "Perfidia"
My heart aches and mourns because of your betrayal.
For I find you, the love of my life
In somebody else's arms
I am heartbroken to see you with someone else, especially since I believed you were the one I was meant to be with.
Your eyes are echoing "Perfidia"
Forgetful of the promise of love
You're sharing another's charms
Your actions demonstrate that you've forgotten the commitment we made to each other and are now drawn to someone else's attractiveness and allure.
With a sad lament my dreams are faded like a broken melody
While the gods of love look down and laugh
At what romantic fools we mortals be
My hopes and aspirations for us have been dashed, leaving me feeling empty and crushed as the whims of love mock me as a naive and foolish person.
And now, I know* my love was not for you
And so I take it back with a sigh
Perfidious one, Goodbye
I have finally come to terms with the fact that my love for you was misplaced and that it is time for me to move on, so I say farewell to you, deceitful one.
Goodbye
Finalized dismissal from them to the one they loved.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Alberto Dominguez, Milton Leeds
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Benn
WOW
Wonderful version of a great latin tune sung by one of the finest male vocalists of all time.
From a 71yo Aussie fan.
Arthur Lewis
This is great
Alan Burton
I was a disc jockey and musician starting in the mid 60’s. I thought I knew every record from that era but somehow this one escaped me until I caught it on a Spotify mix in January of 2023. I am speechless. It is beyond amazing.
Not since mcArthur Park in 1968 have I been so impressed.
Bill Bodger
My wife’s favourite song and one of mine ,love swing beat and what a voice top class
aum printers Aumprinters
A masterpiece