Ben E. King's Classic 'Stand by Me' Inspired An '80s Cult Classic

“Stand By Me” by Ben E. King was used in the 1986 movie of the same name starring River Phoenix. The film was based on a short novel by Stephen King called The Body, but that title was a little to gruesome for a movie hoping to appeal to a wide audience. Rob Reiner, who directed the film, got the idea to use “Stand By Me” as the title and incorporate it into the movie when he heard the song one day at his house.

The hit song played up the friendship of the young boys in the film and downplayed the role of the dead body they find, which was a good move at the box office. The movie was a hit and propelled the song back to the charts, introducing the track to a new generation.

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Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me”

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 meSo darling, darling
Stand by me, oh stand by me
Oh stand, stand by me
Stand by meIf 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 meAnd darling, darling
Stand by me, oh stand by me
Oh stand now, stand by me
Stand by meSo darling, darling
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