Ben E. King Sings for Soulful Lovers
Ben E. King · 1962
56 min · 21 tracks · blues
Smooth melodies intertwine with heartfelt lyrics, showcasing King's rich, soulful voice that resonates with the deep emotions of love and longing.
Top tracks — play these first
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Stand By Me — This track encapsulates King's signature vocal style and emotional delivery, becoming an enduring anthem of loyalty and love that transcends generations.
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He Will Break Your Heart — The song's poignant storytelling combined with King's powerful vocals highlights the vulnerability often found in romantic relationships, making it a standout ballad.
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Fever — King's rendition transforms this classic into a sultry, soulful experience, showcasing his ability to infuse passion into every line.
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What A Difference A Day Made — This track demonstrates King's smooth phrasing and emotional range, perfectly capturing the bittersweet essence of love and longing.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong melodies and heartfelt performances, though its pacing and length affect overall cohesion.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of lush orchestration, with strings and horns complementing King's vocal lines throughout.
- Many tracks employ a slow to mid-tempo pace, creating a relaxed and romantic atmosphere that persists across the record.
- Several songs include call-and-response elements between King's lead vocals and background harmonies, enhancing the emotional delivery.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- romantic evenings with a partner
- heartfelt melodies for quiet moments
- steady pacing for relaxed listening
- nostalgic vibes on rainy days
- intimate gatherings with friends
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy dance tracks
- prefer quick, upbeat songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1962, this album followed Ben E. King's massive hit 'Stand By Me' from 1961, marking his transition into a solo artist after departing from The Drifters. At this point in his career, King was establishing himself as a leading figure in the soul genre, blending R&B elements with pop sensibilities.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Otis Redding· Sam Cooke· Solomon Burke
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 My Heart Cries For You 2:21
- 2 He Will Break Your Heart 3:35
- 3 Dream Lover 2:40
- 4 Will You Love Me Tomorrow 3:10
- 5 My Foolish Heart 2:38
- 6 Fever 2:58
- 7 Moon River 2:54
- 8 What A Difference A Day Made 2:43
- 9 Because Of You 2:57
- 10 At Last 3:13
- 11 On The Street Where You Live 3:46
- 12 It's All In The Game 2:52
- 13 I Could Have Danced All Night 2:34
- 14 Gypsy 2:41
- 15 I (Who Have Nothing) 2:25
- 16 The Beginning Of Time 2:43
- 17 What Now My Love 2:33
- 18 Groovin' 2:10
- 19 Don't Play That Song 2:50
- 20 Stand By Me 2:58
- 21 What'd I Say
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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