Benjamin Earl King was an American soul and R&B singer and record producer. He is best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me"—a U.S. Top 10 hit, both in 1961 and later in 1986, a number one hit in the United Kingdom in 1987, and number 25 on the RIAA's list of Songs of the Century—and as one of the principal lead singers of the R&B vocal group The Drifters, notably singing the lead vocals of one of their biggest global hit singles, "Save the Last Dance for Me".
Benjamin Franklin Peay, better known as Brook Benton, was an American singer and songwriter who was popular with rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and pop music audiences during the late 1950s and early 1960s, with hits such as "It's Just a Matter of Time" and "Endlessly", many of which he co-wrote.
"Only You " is a pop song composed by Buck Ram. It was originally recorded by The Platters with lead vocals by Tony Williams in 1955.
"Rainy Night in Georgia" is a song written by Tony Joe White in 1967 and popularized by R&B vocalist Brook Benton in 1970. It was originally released by White on his 1969 album, Continued, on Monument Records, shortly before Benton's hit single was issued.
"Handy Man" is a song written by singer Jimmy Jones and songwriter Otis Blackwell. Recordings by Del Shannon and also The Sparks Of Rhythm list Charles Merenstein as a co-writer, as does BMI. The Sparks Of Rhythm version on the Apollo 541 single version released in 1959 credits Andrew Barksdale and Merenstein as writers omitting Jimmy Jones. The song is noted for Jones singing "Come-a, come-a come-a come-a, come come-a, yeah" lyrics, which are heard at the beginning as well as in the coda of the song, before the song's fade.
"That Girl" is a song by American R&B singer and songwriter Stevie Wonder. The song was the leading single from Wonder's album-era 1982 greatest-hits compilation, Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I, as one of four newer songs from the collection. The song spent nine weeks at number one on the Billboard R&B singles chart – the longest time a Stevie Wonder single spent at the top spot – and reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Ruby Baby" is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was originally recorded by the Drifters. Their version was released on a single by Atlantic Records as catalog number 45 1089 in 1956. This original version peaked at No. 10 on the US R&B chart.
"True Love Ways" is a song attributed to Norman Petty and Buddy Holly. Buddy Holly's original was recorded with the Dick Jacobs Orchestra in October 1958, four months before the singer's death. It was first released on the posthumous album The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. 2, in March 1960. The song was first released as a single in Britain in May 1960, reaching number 25 on the UK Singles Chart. It was released the following month in the US, but did not make the charts. In 1988, a UK re-release of the recording by MCA, the single reached no. 65 on the UK singles chart in a 5 week chart run.
"I'll Be Around" is a song recorded by the American R&B vocal group The Spinners. The song was co-written by Thom Bell and Phil Hurtt and produced by Bell.
"It's Just a Matter of Time" is a popular song written by Brook Benton, Clyde Otis, and Belford Hendricks. The original recording by Benton topped the Billboard Hot R&B Sides chart in 1959 and peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100 pop chart, the first in a string of hits for Benton that ran through 1970.
"I'd Still Say Yes" is a hit single recorded by Klymaxx for the Constellation/MCA label. Written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Greg Scelsa, and Joyce "Fenderella" Irby, and produced by Fenderella, it was released as the third single from their fifth album, Klymaxx, helping it reach gold status. The song featured backing vocals by R&B singer Howard Hewett. Reaching its peak at number seven on Billboard's Black Singles chart, and number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, it was the group's last Hot 100 entry. "I'd Still Say Yes" also went to number eight on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
"Boll Weevil" is a traditional blues song, also known by similar titles such as "Boweavil" or "Boll Weevil Blues". Many songs about the boll weevil were recorded by blues musicians during the 1920s through the 1940s. However, a rendition by Lead Belly recorded in 1934 by folklorist Alan Lomax led to its becoming well-known. A 1961 adaptation by Brook Benton became a pop hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Kiddio" is a 1960 R&B/pop song written by Brook Benton & Clyde Otis. The song was first recorded and released in 1957 by Teddy Randazzo.
"A Rockin' Good Way " is a song first recorded in 1958 by Priscilla Bowman, on the Abner Records label. Bowman was given vocal backing by The Spaniels.
"Baby " is a 1950s song written by Clyde Otis and Murray Stein.
"A Lover's Question" is a 1958 Pop, R&B hit for Clyde McPhatter. The single was written by Brook Benton and Jimmy T. Williams and was Clyde McPhatter's most successful Pop and R&B release. The bass singer is Noah Hopkins. "A Lover's Question" made it to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was #1 for one week on the R&B chart.
"Thank You Pretty Baby" is 1959 R&B/pop hit by Brook Benton. The song was written by Brook Benton and Clyde Otis.
"Endlessly" is a 1959 single by Brook Benton. The follow-up to his breakthrough hit "It's Just a Matter of Time", it reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its B-side, "So Close", also reached the chart, peaking at number 38. "Endlessly" also was Benton's first chart success in the UK, where it reached #28.
"One Hundred Ways" is a 1981 single released from Quincy Jones's album The Dude on A&M Records. The song features James Ingram on vocals. The song reached number 14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1982. It was a bigger Adult Contemporary hit, reaching number five in the U.S. and number six in Canada. "One Hundred Ways" received the 1982 Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance.
