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.
tears
Ben E. King Lyrics
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Na, na, na, na, na, na late at night
I have counted everyday that she's been away
It seemed like a thousand years
And at na, na, na, na, na, na, late at night
Na, na, na, na, na, na late at night
I'll sit and count the tears (na, na, na, na late at night)
I have counted all your lies all your alibis
I'm a guy believes just what he hears
And at na, na, na, na, na, na, late at night
Na, na, na, na, na, na,late at night
I'll sit and count the tears
She's gone and found somebody new
She may be happy now but soon
He'll be counting everyday that she's been away
It will seem like a thousand years
And at na, na, na, na, na, na, late at night
Na, na, na, na, na, na, late at night
He'll sit and count his tears (na, na, na, na late at night)
He'll sit and count his tears (na, na, na, na late at night)
He'll sit and count his tears (na, na, na, na late at night)
He'll sit, and count his tears
In Ben E. King's song "Tears Tears Tears", the singer is reflecting on the past and their lost love. The song begins at dusk, with the singer thinking about all the things they used to do with their former partner. They remember how they were held when their love was new, but now there's nothing left but tears. The lyrics bemoan the loss of love, with the singer continuously reliving the moments they shared with their partner. However, the singer acknowledges that there's no use in going back through the years, as they will only end up with more tears. Everywhere they go, they see their ex's smiling face, but when they go back home, there's only emptiness.
The song then takes on a melancholic tone, lamenting the promises of forever love that will never be. The singer reflects on how they used to share a single cigarette and wasted time thinking their ex actually cared about them. They then wonder how they can face life without their partner near, as it now only holds tears for them. The song expresses the pain of a lover who has been left alone and hurt. It ends with the singer begging their former lover not to leave them behind with tears, and rather come back and start anew. The song's final lines are hopeful and well-wishing, as the singer expresses that even though their heart is breaking, they wish their former lover happiness and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Just before the sun is ready to say goodnight
As the day comes to a close
And the moon comes out of hiding to share its light
The moon rises to offer its light to the world
I think about the things we used to do
I reminisce about our past experiences
The way you held me when our love was new
I remember your tender embrace during the early days of our love
But it's no use in going back through the years
However, there's no point in dwelling on the past
There's nothing left for me but tears, tears, tears, tears
All that remains is my sorrowful tears
Everywhere I go it seems I see your smiling face (smiling face)
Your happy image appears to haunt me wherever I roam
But when I get home there's nothing but empty space
Yet, when I arrive, all that greets me is a lonely void
That single cigarette we used to share
I recall the moments we'd share a cigarette
The time we wasted when I thought you cared
The hours we spent together that now seem wasted
How can I face this life without you near
How can I handle living without you close by?
A life that only holds tears, tears, tears, tears
My life has become nothing but tears
Who'd ever thought we would be going, going our separate ways
Who could have guessed that we'd go our separate paths?
We promised love forever but where, oh, where is love today (love today)
We swore eternal love, so where has it gone now?
Darling if you'd ever change your mind
My dear, if you ever reconsider
Come back and we will leave the past behind
Let's leave the past behind and start anew
I'll wipe away your doubt, dispel all your fears
I'll comfort you and take away all your worries
But please don't leave me here with tears, tears, tears, tears
Just don't leave me behind with only sorrowful tears
But even though my heart is breaking I wish you love
Despite my heartache, I hope you find love
May you find the happiness that we both dreamed of
The joy we once shared, I hope you find it again
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pablonj525
My favorite Ben E. King song. What a great song. I remember hearing it on the radio in Spring of 1967 on the radio in Springfield, MA. This should really have been a much bigger hit.
@wesdavis9200
Agreed, I loved it the first time I heard it and immediately went out and bought the 45. I later had to buy the boxed set (shown during this video) to get this song on CD. I suddenly just thought of the song and wondered if it would be on YouTube. It was, it is! Wish there were a video somewhere of Ben E. performing it for an audience.
@wendycaesar4949
A beautiful song, I love the line " who'd thought we be going our separate ways "? "May u find the happiness u so dream of".
@arthurhunte9273
I have been trying to find this song for many years, but I couldn't remember who was the singer, and I thought it was Wilson Pickett. I think everything about this song is first class, great vocals, rhythm section section, simply a beautiful song.
@caddydawgable
I play Tears Tears Tears all the way home privately in the car n cry all the way..He was on to something special there..
@anne1234ify
spent many tears over this song
@alexlawton8829
a tune. love it always have always.
@alexlawton6724
class act.
@paulkirby6218
Ben E King is just pure class,he was the only 1 from The Drifters that would challenge George Tredwell the manager for more money,on behalf of the other group members,non of them backed him so he walked,The Drifters loss,our gain
@vernonbebout1
I have this 45 - but cannot find an electronic version to upload. Any thoughts?tks