Stand By Me was a song co-written and popularized first by Ben E. King, also a lead singer in The Drifters, who had a 1961 number 3 solo hit with it. The song became a favorite for recording artists, with four different versions making the top 20 five times. In 1967, Spyder Turner had a top 20 one hit wonder with a tribute version where he worked in lyrics and impressions of other popular singers. Next, in 1975, John Lennon hit number 14 with the song. Then, in 1980, country singer Mickey Gilley made the song his top 20 one hit wonder. 1986, Ben E. King hit number 10 with his same record because it was included in the movie Stand By Me.
Along the way, there were other popular versions.
Titles by Little Junior Parker, The Clash, Oasis, and Quicksilver Messenger Service were different songs.
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