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The song “Stand By Me” is a declaration. It offers assurance. The intended recipient of the song’s message could be a friend or perhaps a lover. That distinction matters little. What really matters is the sense of commitment that’s rock-solid. There’s a sense of emotional peril shared by the comforter and the recipient. Deep dark loneliness is hovering. But the message of support and devotion prevails. The words from the last verse “whenever you’re in trouble, won’t you stand by me” reflect heartfelt determination, and provide security to the recipient. The words are an offering and a plea. These simple words are powerful. They become more so when sung by the likes of  Ben E. King and John Lennon.

Ben E. King came into the world September 23, 1938 as Ben Edward Nelson in Henderson, North Carolina. By the late ’50s, he had achieved success as a lead singer for The Drifters. But that success, despite such hit singles as “This Magic Moment” and “Save The Last Dance For Me,” was not bringing in the money Ben Edward Nelson counted on. He was still on a weekly salary and there were disagreements about royalties he believed were his. A solo career seemed a viable option.

October 27, 1960 proved a productive day for Ben. Assuming the name Ben E. King, he recorded his first hit single, “Spanish Harlem.” Three more songs were eventually recorded that day, including one King was still working on as the musicians were leaving the studio. Some time in the studio remained. King’s producers, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, quickly helped him finish the song. The musicians were brought back in, and Ben E. King recorded what would be his biggest hit ever. “Stand By Me” peaked at number 4 on the pop charts in the Summer of ‘61. King’s version would again hit the charts more than 15 years later, going all the way to number one on the UK charts. In the ’80s, artists as diverse as Mickey Gilley and Maurice White had their own hits with the song. Thankfully, Leiber and Stoller decided not to let the October 27, 1960 session end without King getting “Stand By Me” on tape. Perhaps they saw the extra work as simply getting one more song in the can. As it turned out, they helped create a standard.

King’s recording of “Stand By Me” is one for the ages. Rock critic Dave Marsh called it “as timeless as a basic black dress.” Leiber and Stoller’s production is elegant but not overstated. King’s rich baritone rises as if on command by the lyrics of the song. His singing is warm and powerful. The strings in the instrumental break underscore the song’s beauty. This is a recording thoroughly delivered. It has made future renditions challenging for the most accomplished artists. Gilley and White experienced chart success with their versions, yet they were hardly memorable. A live performance of the song by Bono and Bruce Springsteen was eventful but short of the standard set by King. The song he might have never recorded, except for his producers’ insistence, became Ben E. King’s most outstanding performance in a long and brilliant career.

John Lennon was not inclined to avoid a challenge, particularly if it meant covering a beloved song. The original versions of “Twist And Shout,” “Rock And Roll Music” and “Dizzy Miss Lizzie” were one of a kind recordings but that did not stop Lennon from adding the songs to The Beatles’ repertoire. It also didn’t keep him from putting his own special stamp on the songs. Adding his own flair to favorites was a way of paying the songs special tribute. So it was when he recorded “Stand By Me” on his 1975 album of oldies, “Rock And Roll.”

The Lennon version of “Stand By Me” is not as dramatic as Ben E. King’s. Visuals come to mind on the King version. Lennon’s rendition, however, conveys strength and faithfulness. His performance is captivating and memorable. One can hear the joy he felt in singing it. That wasn’t the case on all the oldies he recorded on “Rock And Roll.” Obviously there were some he felt more deeply about. That comes through with the rocking spirit he grants “Stand By Me.”  The song becomes his proclamation as well.

When John Lennon recorded “Stand By Me,” he was experiencing his own days of trouble. There were nettlesome lawsuits, a continuing battle over his U.S. residency, hard living and a separation from his wife, Yoko Ono. Lennon naturally understood the desires expressed in the song. Perhaps his own yearning led him to offer listeners a feeling of comfort for the ages.

Author’s note: John Lennon would have celebrated his 69th birthday on Friday, October 9, 2009.  He left behind many great musical works that are celebrated daily.

Ben E. King sings “Stand by Me:”

John Lennon sings “Stand by Me:”

1. jack wilkinson says:

   October 10, 2009 at 9:21 am

   Jeff: many, many thanks. “Stand By Me” is one of the greatest songs, one of my absolute favorite songs, of all time. and now we know the rest of the recording story about the day the great Ben E. King recorded it. God bless Leiber and Stoller for getting it on tape that day. the song speaks to me in many ways, on many levels. and, of course, so does the beautiful “Playing For Change” version, which takes it and us around the world. got a cuppa coffee in my hand, a tear in my eye and a smile on my face. thank you, Jeff.
   cheers,
   Jack Wilkinson

   Reply
2. Jeff Cochran says:

   October 10, 2009 at 1:10 pm

   Hi Jack…. Thank you. The “Playing For Change” version is remarkable. Uncannily it conveys the spirit of John Lennon as well as demonstrating the song’s universal appeal.
   It’s an incredible video and well worth anyone’s time to look it up on You Tube.

   Reply