I first played this song in October 2018, so it’s not too soon for a redux, is it?
There have been over 400 recorded versions of this song, performed by many artists, including John Lennon and Muhammad Ali — yes, that Muhammad Ali — “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee …”
My favourite, however, remains the original sung by Ben E. King and written by King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller. It was featured in the 1986 film of the same name, based on a Stephen King novella and directed by Rob Reiner.
In 2015 King’s original version was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”, just under five weeks before his death. Later in the year, the 2015 line up of the Drifters recorded it, in tribute to him.
Released in 1961, Stand By Me hit #1 on the US R&B charts, but only made it to #27 in the UK. Anyway … have a listen, see what you think …
Stand By Me
Ben E. King
When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we see
No I won’t be afraid
No I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling stand by me
Oh, now, now, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And 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
Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Whenever you’re in trouble won’t you stand by me
Oh, now, now, stand by me
Oh, stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Darling, darling stand by me
Stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Songwriters: Ben King / Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller
Stand By Me lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Raleigh Music Publishing
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