Released: February 17, 1975

Songwriter: Jerry Leiber Mike Stoller Ben E. King

Producer: John Lennon Phil Spector

[Verse 1]
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, no I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

[Chorus]
So, darling, darling stand by me
Oh now now, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me

[Verse 2]
If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall
And 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 me

[Chorus]
And darling, darling stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Yeah

[Guitar Solo]

[Chorus/Outro]
Whenever you're in trouble won't you
Stand by me
Oh, now now, stand by me
Oh, stand by me, stand by me, stand by me

Darling, darling stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand by me, stand by me, stand by me

John Lennon

As the founding member of The Beatles, John Winston Lennon (1940-1980) is one of the most recognizable cultural icons of the 20th Century. He is also the other half of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership, alongside fellow Beatle, Paul McCartney.

As a solo artist and through his relationship and collaboration with avant-garde artist Yoko Ono, he became just as recognizable for his political activism.

Lennon was murdered by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980, outside of his New York apartment, The Dakota. Since then, his music and message remain timeless.