Stand By Me – Ben E. King

Introduction

The song “Stand by Me” was originally sung in 1961 by the American singer-songwriter Ben E. King and was co-written by him, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller, collectively using the pseudonym Elmo Glick. King explained that the title was inspired by a spiritual song titled “Stand by Me Father,” written by Sam Cooke and J. W. Alexander, and recorded by the Soul Stirrers with Johnnie Taylor as the lead vocalist.

This song found a place in the soundtrack of the 1986 film with the same title. To promote the film, a music video was released featuring King alongside actors River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton. Additionally, it gained exposure in a 1987 European Levi’s 501 jeans commercial, contributing to increased popularity in Europe. In 2012, the estimated royalties for the song exceeded $22.8 million (£17 million), ranking it as the sixth highest-earning song of its era, with 50% of the royalties going to King. In 2015, the Library of Congress recognized King’s original version by inducting it into the National Recording Registry as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” a distinction that occurred shortly before King’s passing. In the same year, the 2015 lineup of the Drifters paid tribute by recording their version.

“Stand by Me” has seen over 400 recorded renditions by various artists, including notable performances by Otis Redding, John Lennon, Muhammad Ali, 4 the Cause, Tracy Chapman, musicians affiliated with the Playing for Change project, Florence and the Machine, and the Kingdom Choir.

Video

Lyrics

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

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 now?
Oh, stand, stand by me