Ben E. King was one of the lead singers of the R&B vocal group The Drifters, notably singing the lead vocals of some of their biggest hits such as "Save The Last Dance For Me", "There Goes My Baby", "This Magic Moment", "I Count the Tears" & "Sometimes I Wonder". He only recorded 13 songs with the Drifters then went solo. "Spanish Harlem" & "Stand By Me" were his biggest hits. But he recorded many songs such as "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)", "Amor", "Seven Letters", "How Can I Forget", "On The Horizon", "Young Boy Blues", "First Taste Of Love", "Here Comes the Night", "Ecstasy", "That's When It Hurts", "I (Who Have Nothing)", "What is Soul?", "Tears, Tears, Tears", "So Much Love", "Til I Can't Take It Anymore" etc.
No matter what I was doing, whenever this song came on, I would just stop what I was doing and just listen. Even now, after many years, it captivates me. I love this song !
You must watch the movie, "Stand by Me". Of course the song is the theme song to the movie. It's a coming of age story and has River Phoenix in it. River was such an amazing actor. We lost him way too soon. As they say, "the good die young".
When he sings "When the night" my body gets chills! OH! Beauuuuutiful beautiful song! This song holds a very special place in my heart ❤️ One of my most favourites! Beautiful! This will always be tops in my heart! I'm crying tears listening to this. Reminds me of my parents, their younger days... looking at their vintage black and white photos of their engagement and wedding, whole listening to this... 1960, a year before this song came out. Tears are rolling down my face... they both passed away last year, Aug then Oct. They both loved this song. Then my brother was born when this song came out in 1961. This song will always be so special to me. God rest your beautiful souls mom and dad. I miss you guys much 😢 Ben E. King... his voice, the intensity in his voice, his emotions... so deep! So real! The violin... so beautiful ❤
Shawn and Mel,,, I just want you to know how much both of you mean to me,, I'm an O'Gee, 78 yrs. And I just think the way you two interact with each other is wonderful, you both have a wonderful heart, Love you both so much !!!!
Ben e King is flawless and moves these lyrics into such a powerful feeling place - aided by a truly classic bass line by the wonderfully talented Lloyd Trotman
My goodness those violins are to die for in this legendary Classic song "Stand by Me" (1961). This was a monster hit for Ben E. King who was also the lead singer for the great group "The Drifters." Awesome!
Ben E King originally wrote this song for his old group The Drifters but was rejected by his old manager. Even though he never intended to record the song himself. The song is very iconic and enduring.
I always loved this song. Now, especially in these trying times it is more meaningful than ever. A great recording - his voice, the lyrics, the music. Yes, that was a violin. I like when at the end he says "whenever you're in trouble, just stand by me" making it clear that it goes both ways. Great reaction!
Just a fabulous song. It works on so many levels, whether you see it as a simple love song or as symbolic of other struggles. This song and sentiment is universal.
The Drifters were an amazing group of singers (including Ben E King), before he left to go it alone. They had a ton of hits, after forming in 1959. Here are just a few of their many hits. "Saturday night at the movies" 1965 "Some Kind Of Wonderful" 1962 "There Goes My First Love" 1975 "You're More Than A Number" 1976 "Kissing In The Back Row" 1975
One of the best songs of all time this guy is so good but you know what though Maurice White from Earth Wind & Fire when he left the group he on his album he's saying this song really well
Veterans group I used to play with did this and when the violinist was available to join in, WOW what a difference hearing it live. You cant fully grasp it until you hear it. Is still one of my favorite songs to play
Legend! One of the greatest songs of all time and most uplifting songs of all time. The violins fit so perfectly. After his time with the Drifters he had a string of great songs another one of my favorites I think you would like is Spanish Harlem.
I've thought many times about the 10 greatest songs ever written. And no matter how many times I've changed my mind, this song has always made the cut.
Yes. His voice and style were prefect for this song. That's what record companies did. They hired songwriters who could write songs to suit a particular singer's voice.
THIS A BEAUTIFUL LEGENDARY SONG... MANY MOVIES AND JUST EVERYWHERE!! I KNOW IM A FEW YEARS LATE ... BUT I LOVE YA'LL'S REACTION... I ACTUALLY THOUGHT EVERYONE KNEW THIS LEGENDARY LOVE SONG .. SHAWN AND MEL YA'LL ARE A SIGHT FOR SAD EYES, YA SHARE A COMPLETE TOTAL LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER, YA'LL TWO ARE JUST INCREDIBLE, TRUE LOYAL LOVE. I LOOK FOR YOUR REACTIONS, I MAY BE A YEAR OR TWO YEARS TOO LATE, BUT YA SHARE GREAT PICS.. BRING BACK GREAT MEMORIES, YOUNG CHILD MEMORIES IN THESE SONGS I WAS RAISED DOWN SOUTH NOLA IN THE 60S 70S AND GRADUATED IN 1984 ... SO ITS BEAUTIFUL TO SEE YOUR FURST REACTIONS TO MY WORLD .. TRYING TO FIND YA'RE MOST RECENT POST AND PRAY YA'LL STILL REACTING NOLA SOLUTHERN MEL BELLE XX
Thanks a million! Huge, huge, huge. Among the ten most iconic and worldwide known songs. An absolute masterpiece. Awesome lyrics, music, orchestration and vocal rendition.
You really can't discuss Stand By Me Without including the contributions that two young Jewish men, Leiber and Stoller, added to the song. King came up with the opening and some of the melody and Leiber and Stoller finished it for him in really just a little more than a few minutes. They started writing together as teenagers, and wound up creating many of the most iconic rhythm and blues songs of the late 50s and early 60s. So much so that they had an exceedingly popular Broadway play featuring their music during the early 2000s I believe. If you are not familiar with the duo I highly recommend you look them up and see just how much they added to the soundtrack of American music
You guys are so cute…learning to love the music I enjoyed whenI was young. Loved, loved Patsy what a set of pipes on that woman!! Loved Benny King any thing he sang!
Great music from way back in the day. Give a reaction vid to " Save The Last Dance For Me" with Ben with the Drifters. One of the absolute best. The Drifters had so many great songs. " Dance With Me", "Some Kind of Wonderful", Up On The Roof", and many others. RIP Ben E. King.
An iconic song. Enough said. To this day, most people know, or have at least heard this great song. There was a movie in the late 80s by the same name, that used it as the theme for the film. Used thousands of times for tv and radio commercials over the last 60 years.
I'd like to recommend a song called "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto. It make it to #1 in 1961 despite being sung entirely in Japanese, which is a tribute to the music and the singer!!!
Ben E King!! Yes, so glad you are listening to him. Please, Please, listen to his, Don't play that song. Who needs radio when we have Shawn and Mel playing our oldies for us. Thank You!
A beautiful song for sure..thank you for playing it. Please play one of my favorite songs by Johnny Adams..."Reconsider Me". I really think you will love his voice as much as I do.
Thanks, Shawn and Mel! So beautiful -- my favorite by Ben -- although I also loved "the Drifters" - you probably know "under the boardwalk" - Ben was not the lead singer, but his voice is still heard -- what a great singer...
1961! Classic! "Stand By Me" never goes out of style. John Lennon covered it in 1975. And it featured prominently on the soundtrack of the award winning 1986 film of the same name starring River Phoenix and Kiefer Sutherland based on a novella by Stephen King. "Stand By Me" is a great song for impromptu jam sessions with musicians of varying degrees of skill too or at least it was in the bar band scene I knew in the nineties. Ben E. King also sang the lead on The Drifters "There Goes My Baby", "Save the Last Dance for Me", and "This Magic Moment" among others.
Yes indeed Ben E King, (aka Benjamin Nelson), was indeed in the third Drifters group. He originated in the 5 Crowns group. They became the third version of the group formed by ex Billy Ward & The Dominoes lead tenor Clyde McPhatter. This first aggregation only lasted one recording session but was sacked as their voices were just too similar. Clyde formed a new group that had great success but subsequent problems led to manager George "Stingy" Treadwell to sack the group and replace them with the 5 Crowns. Along the way the group had some of the greatest lead singers of the era.
I love my sister, but we are worlds apart, but I will always remember her for "forcing" me to be introduced to this movie, and subsequently the soundtrack. If I had 3 wishes.
Ben E. King was one of the lead singers of the R&B vocal group The Drifters, notably singing the lead vocals of some of their biggest hits such as "Save The Last Dance For Me", "There Goes My Baby", "This Magic Moment", "I Count the Tears" & "Sometimes I Wonder". He only recorded 13 songs with the Drifters then went solo. "Spanish Harlem" & "Stand By Me" were his biggest hits. But he recorded many songs such as "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)", "Amor", "Seven Letters", "How Can I Forget", "On The Horizon", "Young Boy Blues", "First Taste Of Love", "Here Comes the Night", "Ecstasy", "That's When It Hurts", "I (Who Have Nothing)", "What is Soul?", "Tears, Tears, Tears", "So Much Love", "Til I Can't Take It Anymore" etc.
Yes! thanks, Dagmar - Drifters were awesome!
Recommend what @Dagmar S. has suggested
Yes!
Wow, I was today years old when I learned he was with The Drifters! I know them both but never knew this, thanks!
You forgot Supernatural Thing one of my favorites 😊😊❤
Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" is a milestone in pop/R&B history.
Stand by me…..
This is one of the very best, if not THE best, chill-inducing songs of the classic Soul / R&B era!
No matter what I was doing, whenever this song came on, I would just stop what I was doing and just listen. Even now, after many years, it captivates me. I love this song !
Same here, I'll stop in my tracks as soon as I hear this, it's so captivating! ❤
Ben E King absolute legend his solo work and work with the drifters legendary tunes
In my opinion the greatest Stand by Me of all time. You should listen to his Spanish Harlem also.
One of the greatest songs of all time. The vocals, instruments, arrangement….it is on point in every way.
this is the definitive recording, don;t bother with others, they can't live up to this. Love the string arrangement also, just soars...a classic
You must watch the movie, "Stand by Me". Of course the song is the theme song to the movie. It's a coming of age story and has River Phoenix in it. River was such an amazing actor. We lost him way too soon. As they say, "the good die young".
When he sings "When the night" my body gets chills! OH!
Beauuuuutiful beautiful song! This song holds a very special place in my heart ❤️
One of my most favourites!
Beautiful! This will always be tops in my heart! I'm crying tears listening to this. Reminds me of my parents, their younger days... looking at their vintage black and white photos of their engagement and wedding, whole listening to this... 1960, a year before this song came out. Tears are rolling down my face... they both passed away last year, Aug then Oct. They both loved this song. Then my brother was born when this song came out in 1961. This song will always be so special to me. God rest your beautiful souls mom and dad. I miss you guys much 😢
Ben E. King... his voice, the intensity in his voice, his emotions... so deep! So real! The violin... so beautiful ❤
Shawn and Mel,,, I just want you to know how much both of you mean to me,, I'm an O'Gee, 78 yrs. And I just think the way you two interact with each other is wonderful, you both have a wonderful heart, Love you both so much !!!!
Beloved, Legendary and Timeless song to many. Inspired by a gospel song and psalm that went to the Billboard Top Ten twice, in 1961 and 1986.
The 1960s had a plethora of great singers and Ben E was definitely one of them. Great timeless song!,👍🎉
My favorite Ben E King song is Spanish Harlem, the singing, harmonies, arrangements are just great..
Ben e King is flawless and moves these lyrics into such a powerful feeling place - aided by a truly classic bass line by the wonderfully talented Lloyd Trotman
My goodness those violins are to die for in this legendary Classic song "Stand by Me" (1961). This was a monster hit for Ben E. King who was also the lead singer for the great group "The Drifters." Awesome!
This is the most beautiful song ever!!
This song and his voice is so perfect. Its hauntingly beautiful!
Ben E King originally wrote this song for his old group The Drifters but was rejected by his old manager. Even though he never intended to record the song himself. The song is very iconic and enduring.
I always loved this song. Now, especially in these trying times it is more meaningful than ever. A great recording - his voice, the lyrics, the music. Yes, that was a violin. I like when at the end he says "whenever you're in trouble, just stand by me" making it clear that it goes both ways. Great reaction!
I always love hearing the bass pattern in the beginning and later the string arrangement. This song is purely a masterpiece.
Always absolutely loved the bass to this song. That smooth bass going so well with his voice man. Just... perfection in my opponion
One of the greatest songs ever written such simple but powerful music and lyrics. RIP Ben E King
One of the best songs ever! Those strings!!!!
That's my favorite song of all time ❣️❣️❣️
Mine to!
Yes, it is beautiful beyond words. Period.
To quote Chandler Bing...could this BE any better? The lyrics, the music and the voice, all combine into pure perfection. I'm glad you found this one.
Just a fabulous song. It works on so many levels, whether you see it as a simple love song or as symbolic of other struggles. This song and sentiment is universal.
The Drifters were an amazing group of singers (including Ben E King), before he left to go it alone. They had a ton of hits, after forming in 1959. Here are just a few of their many hits.
"Saturday night at the movies" 1965
"Some Kind Of Wonderful" 1962
"There Goes My First Love" 1975
"You're More Than A Number" 1976
"Kissing In The Back Row" 1975
This is yet another reason to keep all this old music alive. Thank you!
1955 to 1965 some of the best music. The time I grew up. Lucky me.
Ben E. King is a treasure! 💗😻☮️🎶 He is prophetic like Marvin, Sam C, Bill Withers… the messages were so comforting & healing ❤️🩹!
Ben E . King is a LEGEND ! ! ! I Very Strongly encourage You to go down The Rabbit Hole ! ! !
I love this song and his voice is beautiful.
Stay well stay strong stay cool 😎😘😎
One of the best songs of all time this guy is so good but you know what though Maurice White from Earth Wind & Fire when he left the group he on his album he's saying this song really well
Veterans group I used to play with did this and when the violinist was available to join in, WOW what a difference hearing it live. You cant fully grasp it until you hear it. Is still one of my favorite songs to play
You 2 are the best on UA-cam right now and sawome and cool sulf you 2 are like my beautiful and pretty family no body but you Rock 🤟🤘🤟🤘🤟🤩🤩🤩
This song was my/our wedding-dance-song a few years ago! My wife and I love this song! ♥
Always been a favorite for me , never gets old❤️
Legend! One of the greatest songs of all time and most uplifting songs of all time. The violins fit so perfectly. After his time with the Drifters he had a string of great songs another one of my favorites I think you would like is Spanish Harlem.
Love this song since my early childhood because of my mom who grew up in the 50’s and 60’s
I've thought many times about the 10 greatest songs ever written. And no matter how many times I've changed my mind, this song has always made the cut.
One of my favorites of all time.
This is my favorite song of all time
Have loved Sam Cook since I was a child this is still my favorite song ever ❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
What a classic. His voice is smooth as silk.
Yes. His voice and style were prefect for this song. That's what record companies did. They hired songwriters who could write songs to suit a particular singer's voice.
You can never get tired of this song! VERY SURPRISED you guys didn't know this song. My mom played this on the record player all the time.
Great song to warm your heart on a night like tonight when you're out looking at the "Cold Moon" and feeling the wintry chill.⛄
❤❤❤
THIS A BEAUTIFUL LEGENDARY SONG... MANY MOVIES AND JUST EVERYWHERE!!
I KNOW IM A FEW YEARS LATE ... BUT I LOVE YA'LL'S REACTION...
I ACTUALLY THOUGHT EVERYONE KNEW THIS LEGENDARY LOVE SONG ..
SHAWN AND MEL YA'LL ARE A SIGHT FOR SAD EYES, YA SHARE A COMPLETE TOTAL LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER, YA'LL TWO ARE JUST INCREDIBLE, TRUE LOYAL LOVE.
I LOOK FOR YOUR REACTIONS, I MAY BE A YEAR OR TWO YEARS TOO LATE, BUT YA SHARE GREAT PICS.. BRING BACK GREAT MEMORIES, YOUNG CHILD MEMORIES IN THESE SONGS
I WAS RAISED DOWN SOUTH NOLA IN THE 60S 70S AND GRADUATED IN 1984 ... SO ITS BEAUTIFUL TO SEE YOUR FURST REACTIONS TO MY WORLD .. TRYING TO FIND YA'RE MOST RECENT POST AND PRAY YA'LL STILL REACTING
NOLA SOLUTHERN MEL BELLE XX
The encyclopedia of rock and solo said this sounded ‘ancient’ even when first released. It’s iconic.
This is one of the all time classics. The secod this comes on your are clicking your fingers and swaying to the background low beat.
One of the best songs EVER!
I'm so glad you found this classic song......love it!💞
A wonderful song, a wonderful singer and a very beautiful voice
Great reaction. Do the Drifters Save the Last Dance for Me. You will not be disappointed. Ben E King is one of the lead singers.
Beautiful and thank you!!!❤❤ Now let's do "Young Boy Blues"....will tug at your heart strings😻👍
One of my all time favorite songs since the first time I heard it when I was a kid and watched the movie Stand by Me
Thanks a million! Huge, huge, huge. Among the ten most iconic and worldwide known songs. An absolute masterpiece. Awesome lyrics, music, orchestration and vocal rendition.
You really can't discuss Stand By Me Without including the contributions that two young Jewish men, Leiber and Stoller, added to the song. King came up with the opening and some of the melody and Leiber and Stoller finished it for him in really just a little more than a few minutes. They started writing together as teenagers, and wound up creating many of the most iconic rhythm and blues songs of the late 50s and early 60s. So much so that they had an exceedingly popular Broadway play featuring their music during the early 2000s I believe. If you are not familiar with the duo I highly recommend you look them up and see just how much they added to the soundtrack of American music
You guys are so cute…learning to love the music I enjoyed whenI was young. Loved, loved Patsy what a set of pipes on that woman!! Loved Benny King any thing he sang!
Timeless classic!
Thank you for this smash song for all time from Ben. E. King!
Great music from way back in the day. Give a reaction vid to " Save The Last Dance For Me" with Ben with the Drifters. One of the absolute best. The Drifters had so many great songs. " Dance With Me", "Some Kind of Wonderful", Up On The Roof", and many others. RIP Ben E. King.
This is one of those special iconic voices & song.
An iconic song. Enough said. To this day, most people know, or have at least heard this great song. There was a movie in the late 80s by the same name, that used it as the theme for the film. Used thousands of times for tv and radio commercials over the last 60 years.
The newest version of this song, it starts in New Orleans and goes around the world . Beautiful ❤️
Love this song, covered by many others. John Lennon did a great cover about a decade and a half later.
You're Both Very blessed to have each other 💕 Hold onto each other tight and NEVER let go - God Bless You Both 💞
Almost 70 years old this song doesn't get old. This is music and song.
I have always loved this song!!!
I'd like to recommend a song called "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto. It make it to #1 in 1961 despite being sung entirely in Japanese, which is a tribute to the music and the singer!!!
Hi Richard! I’m SOO glad I’m not only one that loves that song! It’s beautiful! Peace & Blessings to you and your family!
That is one beautiful song!!
ua-cam.com/video/C35DrtPlUbc/v-deo.html
Great song
Great beautiful love song as you say very inspirational
Definitely a great song. 👍👍😁😁😁😁😁
I think there was an orcastra playing behind him the music was beautiful. I have always loved this song thank you .
Yes!
Such a wonderful song sung by a wonderful singer
Ben E King!! Yes, so glad you are listening to him. Please, Please, listen to his, Don't play that song.
Who needs radio when we have Shawn and Mel playing our oldies for us. Thank You!
Luv that y’all are going down the old school jam rabbit hole. Welcome & enjoy the tour 🤗🥰👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
A beautiful song for sure..thank you for playing it. Please play one of my favorite songs by Johnny Adams..."Reconsider Me". I really think you will love his voice as much as I do.
This is the song he's most known for. Check out That's When it Hurts, Don't Play That Song and Young Boy Blues
That song is like a warm hug.
Thanks, Shawn and Mel! So beautiful -- my favorite by Ben -- although I also loved "the Drifters" - you probably know "under the boardwalk" - Ben was not the lead singer, but his voice is still heard -- what a great singer...
You found one of my all-time favorite's!!!
This is still on my playlist. I am almost 70, so it has been there a looooooooooooong time.
🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌yessssss . Sorry I’m late. Such a great classic. ❤️ y’all’s reactions.
One of my ALL TIME FAVORITES AND ILL BE 74 IN FEBRUARY
His song "Spanish Harlem" needs a listen.
One of my favorite ❣️❣️❣️
1961! Classic! "Stand By Me" never goes out of style. John Lennon covered it in 1975. And it featured prominently on the soundtrack of the award winning 1986 film of the same name starring River Phoenix and Kiefer Sutherland based on a novella by Stephen King. "Stand By Me" is a great song for impromptu jam sessions with musicians of varying degrees of skill too or at least it was in the bar band scene I knew in the nineties. Ben E. King also sang the lead on The Drifters "There Goes My Baby", "Save the Last Dance for Me", and "This Magic Moment" among others.
omg I am SO happy you did this one !!!
Great song and a great movie.
He did so well solo his AMOR and I WHO HAVE NOTHING plus the man is Fiennes lookin
Dang saying fine looking man
Yes indeed Ben E King, (aka Benjamin Nelson), was indeed in the third Drifters group. He originated in the 5 Crowns group. They became the third version of the group formed by ex Billy Ward & The Dominoes lead tenor Clyde McPhatter. This first aggregation only lasted one recording session but was sacked as their voices were just too similar. Clyde formed a new group that had great success but subsequent problems led to manager George "Stingy" Treadwell to sack the group and replace them with the 5 Crowns. Along the way the group had some of the greatest lead singers of the era.
So good they made it a movie!
The movie "Stand by me" (1986) starring the late River Phoenix is amazing!
Love this song! Miss you guys ❤️
My favorite of all time
You should really go down this rabbit hole...he is awesome
Love this song ♥️ Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays , Stay Safe ♥️
Supernatural Thing is another banger by Ben E. King!
I love my sister, but we are worlds apart, but I will always remember her for "forcing" me to be introduced to this movie, and subsequently the soundtrack. If I had 3 wishes.