Continued Explorations: Music and the Fictive Dream "Stand By Me"
For this blog, I chose to write about the song Stand By Me, which inspired the title for the movie Stand By Me. It is pretty similar to my last blog, but it was such a great example of a pairing of song and film that I couldn't pass it up. This song, and the movie that it is used in, are both really popular in my family. I enjoy both the song, and the movie, but after experiencing them together, I can't think of one without thinking of the other. The song completely sums up everything the movie is, and, to me, has become a fundamental part of the film.
Biographical Information:
This song was written over 20 years before the film Stand By Me was produced. It was not intended to be in a movie, or to match a movie's theme so well. This song was written by Ben King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller in 1961 (Stand by Me (Ben E. King song)). According to an interview with Leiber and Stoller, King had written the first few lines to his iconic song, but wasn't really a songwriter, he was a performer. So, Leiber and Stoller finished the song for him, building off the powerful lyrics that he already had (Zollo). While they had expected the song to be popular, they didn't expect for it to be used in a movie decades later, especially one that brought the song back to the public, and even fueled its path to the top of the UK singles chart (Jonze). Rob Reiner, the director for the movie Stand By Me, was making a movie based off of a Steven King novel called "The Body". He didn't want people to associate King's usual horror genre with the movie though, since it was more of a coming-of-age/friendship story (Zollo). This led him to use the title "Stand By Me", as well as the song in his movie, since the song fit the story perfectly, even deepening the meaning of both works (Flinner).
Analysis:
Stand By Me, written by Ben King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller. It was sung by Ben King and originated in the US in 1961 (Stand by Me (Ben E. King song)). This video includes some scenes from the movie Stand By Me.
Tempo:
The tempo of this song is pretty slow and moderate. I believe it would be considered an Andante tempo, or a steady walking tempo. It is measured and calm. Listening to the tempo of this song is soothing, and relaxing. The singing is also done at a slow, moderate pace throughout the song. This tempo relates to the theme of the movie really well; four boys are traveling together at a moderate pace, and enjoying each other's friendship and the adventures they have as they do. They slowly get to know each other better than they have in the past, and form bonds that they didn't have previously. Standing by someone and being there for them is a gradual, but continuous thing, which is shown in both the tempo of this song, as well as the movie.
Timbre:
The timbre of this song is very deep and resonant. Both the singer's voice, and the bass lend the song a low pitched, rich quality. It isn't an upbeat, happy sound, it is almost sad. The timbre of this song matches the lyrics of the song, and theme of the movie Stand By Me, perfectly (Flinner). It is about dependability, and that low, sure tone is constant and dependable throughout the entire song. Also, the lyrics aren't about the happiness of friendship; they focus more on being there for those you care about, through everything, even their worst moments, or what feels like the end of the world, which is a large part of the movie as well.
Role of Work:
The role of this work was initially to provide people with a song about love and friendship, dedicated to King's wife (Jonze). Once it was incorporated into Reiner's movie, it served much of the same role, but in the context of the four young boys who are best friends in the movie. Throughout the film, you can see that they are willing to do anything for each other, and are there for each other during tough times. They stick together. This song fit exactly into the movie and its theme. The combination of song and film deepened the message of friendship and loyalty that both the song and the movie carry, making both works far more popular than they ever would have been on their own (Flinner). This song has also served a role in popular culture; many different artists have provided their own unique version of Stand By Me, and it has been used in some common promotional adds as well (Jonze).
Social Commentary:
Both the song, and the movie Stand By Me, carry a clear and identical message for audiences. Being there for someone, and sticking with those you love or care for, is the overall message of the song and movie (Flinner). This message is easily heard in the song. The lyrics ask for someone to "stand by me" no matter what. To be there, dependably, through thick or thin, just because they care. This is shown in the movie as well. Four boys set of on a journey together to find a dead body, and end up standing by each other time and time again throughout the film (Flinner). Each of the boys in the movie face trials and hardships, but they do it together, and look out for each other. The message in this song and film encourages people to watch out for those that they care about, no matter what happens.
Personal Opinion:
I think that it would be very difficult to find a more perfect paring of song and film. The song had been popular for a time, and was a big hit on its own, but the movie brought it back to an even larger audience (Flinner). I love the song on its own, but combined with the movie, it is absolutely amazing. Both works draw off each other without changing what the original work's message or story was in any way. If anything, the combination of the two works enhances both of them. I don't think either one would have become as popular as they did without being joined together. The timbre and tempo of the song even match much of the movie; the song is sung at a moderate pace, and the movie is also set at a moderate pace. The timbre lends the song an almost sad mood, and much of the movie is also a bit sad, but not overwhelmingly so, since the boys have each other's backs. Stand By Me is by far the best song and movie combination I have ever seen.
Sources:
"Stand by Me (Ben E. King song)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 March 2021. Web. 1 April 2021.
Hi Ayla!!
ReplyDeleteThis song has been a favorite of mine for YEARS. It never gets old. I have never seen the movie, but I think I just might have to embark on that journey!
I always enjoy reading your blog posts! You put a lot of effort into them and I really appreciate that. I also have learned a lot from reading them, so thank you for that!
Have you ever heard this song by Ben E King and The Drifters? It has a really interesting sound but I like it! Here's the link if you're interested in listening to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bacBKKgc4Uo
Hi Ayla, I absolutely love this song and the message that it shares! I never realized that the song wasn't actually intended to go with the movie and I think that may be because it matches so perfectly with the movie and the message that the movie was created to spread. This is definitely one of those songs that you are able to immediately recognize just off of the first few opening bars. It has definitely made its impact on the world, as is very well known! I love that even with the the overall timbre of the song being a more mellow vibe that it is still able to be one of those songs that you are able to sing to at the top of your lungs! Great post, and good presentation of it!
ReplyDeleteHi Ayla, I didn't know this song wasn't written to go with with movie. They did a great job on making a movie for it. They both go so well together. This was one of many songs I listened to with my cousins growing up. You did a wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteAyla,
ReplyDeleteI am very surprised to find out that there was a movie that goes with this song. I love the lyrics of this song as it is an iconic classic and it is really cool that it was adapted into a movie setting. I also love how you went into how the song is a tribute to Kings wife. Thanks for a great post.
Hi Ayla!
ReplyDeleteFirst, this movie is one of my absolute favorites! I can't tell you how many times I've quoted, "I don't shut up, I grow up. And when I look at you, I throw up." And of course, this was something my best friend and I would say to each other when we were about 12. I think the song, "Stand By Me" and this movie really do mesh so well together because it truly is about a group of young boys standing by each other through thick and thin. Through finding the body, to dealing with insecurities, bad home lives, and bullying - they all support each other (and tease each other) regardless through their coming of age summer. Did you know the song was (obviously) about a love? In an article I found, the song is about a love able to survive, no matter what trials and traumas it encounters - was built equally strongly to stand the test of time. And I think that also fits so well into this movie. The movie starts and ends with this quote, "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?" Stand by Me was a perfect fit. Thanks for sharing!
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/may/01/ben-e-king-stand-by-me