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Ben E. King — Stand By Me
Album: Ultimate Collection
Avg rating:
8.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3467









Released: 1961
Length: 2:48
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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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 darling, darling
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 darling, darling
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now, stand by me
Stand by me

Darling, darling
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 now, oh, stand
Stand by me
When all of your friends is gone
Comments (180)add comment
 Redstrat wrote:

One of those songs that demands to be turned way, way up




Done!   
Posted 3 weeks ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 mattenuttall wrote:


Why is there no 11?


Yeah, after a while, 11 wouldn't be good enough and we'd want a 12. A form of hedonic adaptation for song ratings....


Perhaps more to the point, why is there no rating between 'Quite Likeable' (7) and 'Most Excellent' (8). I guess that the descriptions are open to subjective interpretation but personally, I would rate quite a lot of tracks between 7 and 8.

Posted 11 months ago by msbolton    [ Reply ]


danielh wrote:

Why is there no 11?

 Laptopdog wrote:

Because then 10 wouldn't matter.


Yeah, after a while, 11 wouldn't be good enough and we'd want a 12. A form of hedonic adaptation for song ratings....
Posted 1 year ago by mattenuttall    [ Reply ]
 danielh wrote:

Why is there no 11?


Because then 10 wouldn't matter.

Posted 1 year ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
Why is there no 11?
Posted 1 year ago by danielh    [ Reply ]
 TurtleMan wrote:

Should be the national anthem.
 
This was one of the first songs – maybe the first song – that the Playing For Change organization put out.



Playing for Change's version of One Love is fantastic too....
Posted 2 years ago by mattenuttall    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
For the Ukraine, And may God have mercy on the U.S.A.
Peace. 
Posted 2 years ago by laserace    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:

DEAD FROM OVERPLAY and those goddamned yucky strings
Give us some great underplayed R&B; Little Willie John, Early Ike Turner, Lee Dorsey or Earl King?




Evidently, you really dig abusive male vocalists.  Regarding "Stand By Me", you are outnumbered about a gazillion to one.
Posted 2 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
for me one of the most intensive love songs
Posted 2 years ago by rene.skorczewski    [ Reply ]
Should be the national anthem.
 
This was one of the first songs – maybe the first song – that the Playing For Change organization put out.
Posted 2 years ago by TurtleMan    [ Reply ]
We danced to this at our wedding soon to be 35 years ago. Still standing by each other.
Posted 2 years ago by RichW    [ Reply ]
Bill, you've been playing this a lot lately. Which is just fine by me... this song will never get old.
Posted 3 years ago by Jonathon    [ Reply ]
 Stratocaster wrote:

Always liked this song but I think John Lennon's version is better, with more feeling.

To me it's not better but equally satisfying.  And of course, being a 10 year kid I happened to see Lennon's studio video first. He was troubled person in many ways but he knew to give credit where it is due. 

Posted 3 years ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
Beauty in motion ! Sung and Centred by Truth!
Posted 3 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
Will someone please confiscate that electric guitar?
Posted 4 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
👏
Posted 4 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
One of those songs that demands to be turned way, way up
Posted 4 years ago by Redstrat    [ Reply ]
grande classico ed in italiano dal fantastico Celentano! 
Posted 4 years ago by mario_1954    [ Reply ]
Forever enjoyed
Posted 5 years ago by stephen.king12101    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
This is the only song Ben ever recorded.
Posted 5 years ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
Long Live                                                                                                Radio Paradise
My rating                                                                                         9 -OUTSTANDING           
Posted 5 years ago by Tomasni    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:
If I had to be a "one hit wonder," I'd be okay if this was my legacy. 
 
Yes, great tune, but he had several Top 40 solo hits, as recent as 1975, as well as earlier hits singing lead with The Drifters.
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
This original version doesn’t die!
Posted 5 years ago by Djoy    [ Reply ]
A song that, at its time, must've been extraordinary. But, after decades of hearing the extremely simplistic music and syrupy strings, I'm really done with it.
Posted 6 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
If I had to be a "one hit wonder," I'd be okay if this was my legacy. 
Posted 6 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 RazzCat wrote:

For me, given this masterpiece, the times and the memories, this is worth at least 15... :)
 
agreed!  and with the current exchange rate, that's what...about an 11.5 in US_RP_Rating?  ;-) 
Posted 6 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]

For me, given this masterpiece, the times and the memories, this is worth at least 15... :)
Posted 6 years ago by RazzCat    [ Reply ]
Tomasni wrote:
For me this is 9 - O U T S T A N D I N G

 
Yep!
Posted 6 years ago by jen3005545    [ Reply ]
Agree with wseking. I really don't need to hear this song ever again... ever.
Posted 7 years ago by lshinkawa    [ Reply ]
DEAD FROM OVERPLAY and those goddamned yucky strings
Give us some great underplayed R&B; Little Willie John, Early Ike Turner, Lee Dorsey or Earl King?
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 Skydog wrote:
i see this has 8 votes for "sucko-barfo" and 12 votes for "marginal"

i say it was from Pink Zepplin fans 

 
this is one of my (probably too many) 10 rated tracks....along with some LZ and PF.... I'm all down with the good old stuff...esp. love me some Drifters while Ben E. King was the vocalist. 
Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
I hear "stand by mi" as in "mi goreng" noodles, must be lunch time soon


Posted 8 years ago by drews    [ Reply ]
beijos do Brasil    {#Drunk}
Posted 8 years ago by Glória_Rocha    [ Reply ]
 Skydog wrote:
i see this has 8 votes for "sucko-barfo" and 12 votes for "marginal"

i say it was from Pink Zepplin fans 

 
{#Cheesygrin}{#Cheesygrin}
Posted 8 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
 phlattop wrote:

 Wonder who else has covered it.

 
wiki says over 400
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
i see this has 8 votes for "sucko-barfo" and 12 votes for "marginal"

i say it was from Pink Zepplin fans 
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
       Sounds like cold blooded
   But it's fading into stand by me.
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
Both Kings introduced me to this incredible song.
Posted 9 years ago by daveinnj    [ Reply ]
 boober wrote:
Poose...I'm guessing you read Marvel comics as a kid....."nuff said"!

 
That phrase was actually used long before Stan Lee and Marvel Comics popularized it, but it's where I first saw it as well.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 bseib wrote:
Who's credited for playing the velcro?   {#Think}

 
It is actually a gourd guiro played by percussionist Phil Kraus:
https://www.spaceagepop.com/kraus.htm
Posted 10 years ago by BoFiS    [ Reply ]
Everybody in my homeless camp loves this song...
Posted 10 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 bseib wrote:
Who's credited for playing the velcro?   {#Think}
 
Chuckle, chuckle.  Sounds like it's a guira.  https://www.lpmusic.com/products/guiros/professional-guira/
Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Ten ten ten! YouTube 'playing for change' for a very amaxing cover by street musicians from around the world. thanks PBS.
Posted 11 years ago by jimtyrrell    [ Reply ]
Average rating 8.6 nuff said thumbs up
Posted 11 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]
 Stratocaster wrote:
Always liked this song but I think John Lennon's version is better, with more feeling.

 
It's a tough call for me but this one edges Lennon's. Wonder who else has covered it.
Posted 11 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
What are Marvel comics?


 boober wrote:
Poose...I'm guessing you read Marvel comics as a kid....."nuff said"!



 


Posted 11 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
"I cherish these moments."
Posted 11 years ago by gvan    [ Reply ]
Who's credited for playing the velcro?   {#Think}
Posted 11 years ago by bseib    [ Reply ]
Never Gets Old
Posted 11 years ago by leonswiatek    [ Reply ]

Posted 12 years ago by Kanuffen    [ Reply ]
An absolutely transcendent cut that will be played for generations.  There's something archetypal about the message.  Ben E. King's voice is terrific and the arrangement/production is commented on at length below.
Posted 12 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:

And a masterful arrangement.  If I told you a soul song started with a stand-up bass solo with triangle and shaker, would you say "that's a hit!"?  Wow.
 
This was the genius of Ahmet Ertegun, his brother Nesuhi, and Jerry Wexler at Atlantic Records. They did things that no one else had even thought of, much less crafting them into monster pop hits. I highly recommend the Atlantic "R&B 1947-1974" box set. 
Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
My REAL LIFE MOVIE moment was with this song playing in the background.
Posted 12 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
 wossName wrote:
On the set of Stand By Me

AWESOME! And I usually reserve that word for the Grand Canyon or when my wife disrobes in our bedroom.
 


Posted 12 years ago by theralph    [ Reply ]
On the set of Stand By Me
Posted 12 years ago by wossName    [ Reply ]
if you’re not getting goose bumps, check your pulse
Posted 12 years ago by stevematic    [ Reply ]
Yup, that bass and rhythm just slides right in behind MM&W.  And so the vibe continues in finest RP style this well-soundtracked evening...
Posted 12 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Always liked this song but I think John Lennon's version is better, with more feeling.
Posted 12 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
Theme song for a lot of present-day philandering politicians ... ?
Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
one word, classic
Posted 13 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
The music of my youth, this and the Drifters bring me back to being at Coney Island.

Posted 13 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
 Decoy wrote:
when I haven't heard this in a while I think 10

when I have heard it 17 times since Thursday, it's a 9

I can't rate it much lower.   
 

If you don't want to hear Stand by Me "17 times since Thursday" then turn off your oldies radio station, wtf?
Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]

normally I let your stream of music come over me, eager to hear new stuff, sometimes in awe sometimes it leaves me wondered; sometimes I run to my computer to see what you've discovered this time. Now, this one I know ;-) but it also hit's bulls eye for the both of us. thank you Bill and Rebecca for this wonderful radiostation. (from the Netherlands)


Posted 13 years ago by FrankAnja    [ Reply ]
when I haven't heard this in a while I think 10

when I have heard it 17 times since Thursday, it's a 9

I can't rate it much lower.   
Posted 13 years ago by Decoy    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:

John Lennon covered this....nuff said.


  Poose...I'm guessing you read Marvel comics as a kid....."nuff said"!


Posted 13 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
 Johnny_Wave wrote:
Prime example of an *excellent* song being overplayed to the point where you instinctively change the channel once it comes on.  A true 10 for the first 10 years I've listened to it, but only a 5 at this point.

 
Sort of funny, I pretty much only give 10s to songs that I NEVER get tired of hearing. Great songs that seem 'overplayed' only get a 9. But I get where you're comin' from.


Posted 13 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 Johnny_Wave wrote:
Prime example of an *excellent* song being overplayed to the point where you instinctively change the channel once it comes on.  A true 10 for the first 10 years I've listened to it, but only a 5 at this point.

 

I am totally with you. Instinctively is a good word to describe this phenomenom too.{#Yes}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:
This is pretty close to the perfect song.
 
And a masterful arrangement.  If I told you a soul song started with a stand-up bass solo with triangle and shaker, would you say "that's a hit!"?  Wow.


Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]

John Lennon covered this....nuff said.


Posted 13 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
How can I up my 10 to an 11?
Sigh...
Posted 13 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:
This is pretty close to the perfect song.
 

Agreed!
Posted 13 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
This is pretty close to the perfect song.
Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Excellent segue from Medeski Martin and Woods, except the Segway guy just ran his biwheel device over a cliff..
Don't mind me, just free association happening on a rainy Thanksgiving  weekend night.

Posted 14 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Prime example of an *excellent* song being overplayed to the point where you instinctively change the channel once it comes on.  A true 10 for the first 10 years I've listened to it, but only a 5 at this point.

Posted 14 years ago by Johnny_Wave    [ Reply ]
Always dug his solo stuff.  His stint with the Drifters was good too.
Posted 14 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
 LowPhreak wrote:
I am so sick of this song. It's been overplayed to death. 
 
Ditto...it is a good tune for tune's sake...but ugh!
Posted 14 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
9 to a 10
Posted 14 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
One of the greatest songs ever written and at the same time so simple.
Posted 14 years ago by parrothead    [ Reply ]
I think that the cover that Bill has displayed is from the UK greatest hits album, issued after this song was used in a jeans commercial. (Before the movie, I think.) Anyone remember the ad? Wasn't it the one with the pretty boy soaking in his jeans in a bath? Any women over 35 are sure to remember it...
Posted 14 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
One of the few true classics. 
Posted 15 years ago by polymerchm    [ Reply ]

Ben E. King - "Stand by me" Live  
 

When the night has come, and the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we will 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
Whoa stand now, stand by me, stand by me
*Solo*

And darlin', darlin' stand by me
Oh stand by me
Oh stand now, 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
Whoa stand now, stand by me, stand by me
So 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
Whoa stand now, oh stand, stand by me
Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]

John Lennon - "Stand By Me" Live

"  "Stand by Me" is the title of a song originally performed by Ben E. King and written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, original release in 1961, covered by many artists."

" When i was 5 years old, my mother told me happiness was the key to life. when i went to school they asked me what i wanted to be when i grew up. i wrote down "happy ". they told me i didn' t understand the assignment. i told them they didn' t understand life " - *John Lennon*    

wdrbunz


Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
A very special song for me, and a lost friend. Thanks Bill.
Posted 15 years ago by Flipmode    [ Reply ]

Joan Baez - "Stand By Me" Live in Germany (2007)

Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
The song is simply a classic. It is a great expression of love. Of course, I think of the movie "Stand By Me" which adds even more nostalgia for me - having come of age at the same time as that movie.
Posted 15 years ago by GriffinMN    [ Reply ]
10   10  10 10 10101010101010101010!
Posted 15 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
One of the few molden oldies I never tire of hearing.
 
Exactly.   {#Music}
Posted 15 years ago by BluEyes    [ Reply ]
One of the few molden oldies I never tire of hearing.
Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
 azdcryan wrote:
great American song...very nostalgic, makes me smile everytime I hear it.
 
You nailed it, friend. {#Wave}

If anyone has "Spanish Harlem" by Ben, could you please upload it? {#Pray}

Man, this is summer time music! {#Cool}
Posted 15 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
great American song...very nostalgic, makes me smile everytime I hear it.
Posted 15 years ago by azdcryan    [ Reply ]
You should be playing the Playing for Change version.

Posted 15 years ago by chieromancer    [ Reply ]
 Sloggydog wrote:
Is there anyone not singing?
 
I would but I'm eating crunchie peanut butter.  Great song.

Posted 15 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
I am so sick of this song. It's been overplayed to death. 
Posted 15 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
Woah...Pete Yorn into this was a bit of a bump...
Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
Is there anyone not singing?
Posted 15 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
Wooo! YaY Bill!! {#Roflol}{#Sunny}GREAT song, never get tired of this one!

Posted 15 years ago by akmegan    [ Reply ]
Hi,

Have you heard about the Playing for Change organization?  They have a cool version of this song, played by dozens of different musicians all over the world:

Playing for Change

Of course, they now have a different song video up...keep an eye on this site!  It is a good thing...

Sincerely, Neil

Posted 15 years ago by NeilBlanchard    [ Reply ]
In my AM Top 40 ('57-'67) playlist!
Posted 16 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 joeychick wrote:
I used to listen to this song all the time as a kid, and I'm still not tired of it. Haven't heard it in a while... it takes me back. Love it.
 

Although I didn't know it as a kid (grew up in the 70s/early 80s), I have always liked it from the first time I did hear it.  Love John Lennon's cover, as well.
Posted 16 years ago by Jimmy86    [ Reply ]
Beautiful song. Ben E. was a great voice for the Drifters and solo.

But I love the edge of pain that Lennon put on his remake.
Posted 16 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 eclectek wrote:
Was this in the most excellent movie the Sandlot?
 

I don't remember, but it always reminds me of the movie "Stand by Me"  {#Smile}
Posted 16 years ago by SantaFeGrace    [ Reply ]
Classic high school slow dance back in the day - good to hear it again. I see Dobie Gray's 'Drift Away' is in your archive - it would be another one. Hope to hear it soon...
Posted 16 years ago by macadavy    [ Reply ]
oh this brings back memories... ... think i'm gonna cry...
Posted 16 years ago by whiskey    [ Reply ]
Was this in the most excellent movie the Sandlot?
Posted 16 years ago by eclectek    [ Reply ]
very smoooooooth! never tire of this one!
Posted 16 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]
I used to listen to this song all the time as a kid, and I'm still not tired of it. Haven't heard it in a while... it takes me back. Love it.
Posted 16 years ago by joeychick    [ Reply ]
Moormann wrote:
Another Tom Dowd-recorded classic. Notice the seperation of the instruments in the mix, especially the bass. Masterful.
thanks for backgr info...yes a real treat to listen to, again and again.
Posted 17 years ago by aaehr    [ Reply ]
Amazing song, and by far the best version is Ben E. Kings.
Posted 17 years ago by akstephens    [ Reply ]
Stand By Me is OUTSTANDING
Posted 17 years ago by pannaramma    [ Reply ]
To the best of my knowledge, this is the only song with many ratings (339 as of this date) which has zero 1s.
Posted 17 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Still get goose bumps when the violinsolo kicks in!
                                                        {#Boohoo}
Posted 17 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
Great!!
Posted 17 years ago by Abgesandter    [ Reply ]
Cruithne3753 wrote:
Having fun with my velcro watch strap...
Posted 17 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
Having fun with my velcro watch strap...
Posted 17 years ago by Cruithne3753    [ Reply ]
Earlier this morning while listening to The Zombies' "Time of the Season", I thought how lovely it would be to follow that with John Lennon's version of "Stand By Me." Then later Bill does it one better with Ben E. King's original. Nice.
Posted 17 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
One of those times when the rewind feature comes in handy, gotta listen to that one again!
Posted 17 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
Another Tom Dowd-recorded classic. Notice the seperation of the instruments in the mix, especially the bass. Masterful.
Posted 17 years ago by Moormann    [ Reply ]