Stand by Me is a soulful ballad written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, originally performed by Ben E. King in 1961 as a single from the album Don't Play That Song! (1962). Recorded in late 1960, the song blends gospel mood with a memorable bass line and the familiar 50s chord progression that has become its signature. The lyrics speak of steadfastly standing by a friend or lover through trouble, and the track became a hit, reaching number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the R&B chart. It was re released in 1986 as part of the Stand by Me film soundtrack, peaking at number 9 in the US and topping the UK chart in 1987 after a Levi's jeans commercial boosted its popularity. Since then there have been more than 400 recorded versions by artists such as John Lennon, Maurice White, Florence + the Machine, and Prince Royce, among others. The song has earned major honors, including induction into the National Recording Registry in 2012 and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, reflecting its enduring cultural impact and substantial royalties.
