subject: What Do the Stand by Me Lyrics Mean? [print this page] What Do the Stand by Me Lyrics Mean? What Do the Stand by Me Lyrics Mean?
Are you tumbling and falling trying to find "Stand By Me" lyrics? Stand By Me is a song from 1961 that was written and performed by Ben E. King. The song is one of the most covered singles of all time and one of the most performed songs of all time. It also inspired an iconic movie of the 1980s directed by Rob Reiner and starring every kid who ever became an actor. (Well not that many, but plenty)
This all might cause you to wonder, what is the song Stand By Me about? The lyrics, are they cryptic or fairly simple? Most song writers and fans interpret the lyrics as deceptively simple. They seem simple at first; on surface, the song is merely about a man reassuring his friend, which is assumedly a female since he calls her "darling." Through dark imagery lyrics such as "If the sky that we look upon, Should tumble and fall", the protagonist warns his darling that there may be tough times ahead. However, the return verse suggests that he will remain vigilant, "Just as long as you stand, Stand by me."
It's curious to know that writer and performer Ben E. King never actually intended to record the song for his own career. In fact, when he wrote it he thought it was going to be performed by The Drifters. However, The Drifters passed on the chance to make the song their own. Ben E. King was earning attention on his own with his work on "Spanish Harlem", and had some studio time left over to record Stand By Me. He was approached by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and asked if he had anything else to play. Ben E. King played the song on piano and impressed them. They called back the producers and created the single. However, Mike Stoller claims that a great deal of the song, the music and composition, was finalized before the lyrics were finished.
Stand By Me is a song about strength in unity, not only in friendship but the unity between a man and his woman. It was Rob Reiner's film of the same name that really emphasized the "bromance" aspects of the song. Yes, regardless of gender we all need a friend sometimes, one that will stand strong even if the sky is falling. Why not download Stand By Me right now? We promise you "won't cry, you won't cry, no you won't shed a tear."
