Friday, May 18, 2018

A Window Above: Stand by Me

Song: "Stand by Me"
Writers: Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Original Release: April 1961
Performer: Ben E. King



My affection for this song is mostly tied to my love for the 1986 movie of the same name (read more here).  Because of the film, the song reached Billboard's top 10 twice, 25 years apart.  It was by far King's most successful solo recording, earning him millions in royalties over the years.  King was also the lead singer of the Drifters for many years, singing lead on that group's top hit, the bittersweet "Save the Last Dance for Me."

15 comments:

  1. I love this song and the movie. Oh- the movie. Absolutely loved it growing up and still love it today.
    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely a keeper. I think I'm going to wait a little while to share it with my daughter. She's 14 now. She's actually a bit like my grandmother - wouldn't like the language!

      Delete
  2. I have the single on 45 from the movie release.

    I showed the movie to my kids not too terribly long ago, and they really didn't seem to get it. I think childhood is SO different now than when we were kids that it no longer resonates.
    I don't know how to feel about that.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Like the song and movie !
    I think Andrew is right, childhood is so different now.

    cheers, parsnip

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know if the loss of innocence is something anyone understands as they're going through it. But has childhood changed so much that kids don't understand ideas like adventure, death, the desire to live beyond other people's expectations? I hope not.

      Delete
    2. Adventure is so different now. Unless the parents instill this in their children, you get lots of video players who think it is all in a flat screen.

      Delete
    3. That and that kids can't just roam anymore. They don't know what it's like to just go off and be without supervision.

      Delete
    4. I get the screen time problem. Being famous isn’t quite what it used to be either. Kids motivated by getting their pictures in the newspaper? It’s a completely obsolete concept when your own YouTube channel is just a few clicks away.

      Delete
  4. I love this song and the movie, together and separately. I love King's voice solo and with the Drifters. This is such a timely post. While failing to avoid all the royal wedding chatter online, I was surprized and pleased to learn that a British Choir performed this song at the wedding. That proves how amazing this song is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It’s funny. I got a text from my sister asking if I had seen an advance copy of the wedding playlist. Just a coincidence...

      Delete
    2. I loved they way the group sang this song, beautiful.

      Delete
  5. I like this song. Its beautiful.

    ReplyDelete