Stand by Me Lyrics

 “Stand by Me” Lyrics

“Stand by Me” is a song which was written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The song was being sung by American singer and songwriter, Ben E. King.

In 1960, Ben E. King was being inspired by the gospel hymn, Stand by Me by Charles Albert Tindley and he wanted to update this early century hymn which was also based on around The Book of Psalms. Although Ben E. King had no interest for recording the song himself. He had written the song for the Drifters, an American doo-wop and R&B/Soul vocal group, who were recording it. In 1960, Ben E. King had recorded his another song “Spanish Harlem” and after the recording session when he had some studio time left, the producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller asked him if he had any other song. Then Ben E. King played the song ““Stand by Me” on the piano. The producers liked the song and told the musicians to record it.

But the song was not released on album. After two years, 1962, the song “Stand by Me” appeared on Ben E. King’s third studio album “Don’t Play That Song” through Atlantic Records. The song “Stand by Me” reached number one on the R&B charts and on 13 May 1961 it entered the Billboard chart and reached number four on 16 June 1961.

 The song was used as the theme song for the 1986 film “Stand by Me”. To promote the film, a corresponding music video was also released, featuring on Ben E. King and the actors River Phoenix and Will Wheaton. The song “Stand by Me” was also featured on a 1987 European televised advertisement of Lev’s 501 jeans. After this jeans commercial, the song reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1987.

 In 1999, according to BMI, the song “Stand by Me” is the fourth most-performed song of the 20th century. In February 2019, Smooth Radio declared it one "of the best love songs of the 1960s".

There have been over 400 recorded versions of the song, and several artists performed the song “Stand by Me” such as John Lennon, Cassius Clay, Tracy Chapman, Florence and the Machine and many more.

 Ben E. King was died on April 30, 2015 at the age of 76. In 2014, Ben E. King’s original edition of “Stand by Me” was being included in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important".

Singer: Ben E. King

Album: “Don't Play That Song!”

Songwriter(s): Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller

Released: April 24, 1961, 1986 (re-released)

Recorded: October 27, 1960

Producer(s): Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller

Label: Atco Records

“Stand by Me” 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