In a world darkened by the COVID-19 pandemic, people are trying to find some light. One approach West Hollywood residents are invited to try is the weekly national “sing-a-long” to thank health care workers and others dealing with the pandemic.
The event will take place at 4 p.m. PDT on Thursday and feature “Stand By Me,” the inspirational song sung by John Lennon in the video above.
WeHo residents Stephanie Harker and Cathy Blavis have been promoting the event on social media. A message to WEHOville from Harker calls on residens to “sing out your window, from your balcony, in front of your house… wherever you can be heard to say ‘thank you workers’.”
The lyrics of Stand by Me:
When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we see
No I won’t be afraid
No I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling stand by me
Oh, now, now, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me
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
And darling, darling stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by…
Lets all keep the ONLY focus on everyone doing whatever they can in whatever ways are available to them to honor thank and hopefully reward our heroic helpers- front line medical, grocery store employees, mail and package delivery folks, and all those unable to go outside at all for the real and present fear of infecting others or being infected. Joining in song or noise making each day together reminds us to stay thankful and explore all ways we can show and give gratitude. May 7th sing- “You’ve Got A Friend”
Has anyone checked in with Mike Stoller about this? He wrote the original song recorded by Ben E King. He lives in the Bird Streets. Let me know. They are friends.
This is an event started by the Peace of Heart Choir in New York City that is inviting others across the nation to join. Join us on Thursday, April 30, 7:02 pm to singalong to Ben E. King’s 1961 classic “Stand by Me.” In NYC WKCR-FM 89.9 and WBAI 99.5 FM New York both broadcast the music after a brief intro, or visit their webpages for live stream. If you sang with us before, please INVITE a friend!
Thanks for posting this, Hank.
We owe the healthcare workers so much. Any many owe them their lives.
We also owe all the essential workers our support as well. I am so thankful for our fellow citizens.
Why would you use this video and say that Lennon wrote this song. Weird.
Completely agree with you. Maybe people interested in sing along should check out the Peace of Heart Website for what is being sung each Thursday.
Yes, thank you Lenore, we know about the Peace of Heart choir & different songs. Last week it was Lean on Me. Quarantined New Yorker above posted all about it….(thank you quarantined for commenting).
Wehoville was kind enough to write this story to bring awareness to the sing-a-long.
I hope next week others will sing out loud…
It says “SUNG by John Lennon in this video”.
Most know Ben E. King sang the original and that it was written by Lieber and Stoller. Love the song and love Lennon’s version.
Sing along in thanks.