Stand By Me

Remain beside me

Stand By Me is best known as the title of a 1961 song by Ben E.

King, a soulful plea for companionship and support through difficult times.

The phrase became the title of a 1986 film about boyhood friendship, based on a Stephen King novella.

As a general expression, to stand by someone means to remain loyal and supportive: I'll stand by you no matter what.

Related

loyalFirm in allegiance
supportTo uphold or sustain
friendshipBond of mutual affection
best friendsClosest mutual companions
songMusical piece with words

Ben E. King · river · river crossing · train tracks · childhood · body · adventure · 1986 · coming-of-age · Gordie · Chris · boys · summer · nostalgia · small town · Stephen King · Rob Reiner · faithful

Categories

1986 EventsChernobyl, Challenger disaster, Halley's Comet, Top Gun, Ferris Bueller

Opposites

loyalty and support

Stand By Meabandonment

Act of leaving permanently

walk away · disloyalty · treachery · betrayal · desertion

emotional tone in popular music

Stand By MeI Will Survive

Declaration of determined endurance

narrative arc in coming-of-age films

Stand By MeLord of the Flies

Dystopian island survival allegory

Eleanor Rigby · Thirteen · Taxi Driver

Family

stand, stands, standing, stood, standby, bystander, understand, withstand

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Mostly American · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G