Stephen Wilson Jr.’s “Stand By Me” is a personal, live-recorded interpretation of the song Ben E. King wrote with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Wilson Jr. connected the song to memories of his late father; the performance first appeared in the Live At The Print Shop series, then became a formal release and a track on the deluxe edition of søn of dad.
Why the song matters to Wilson Jr.
In Big Loud Records’ November 22, 2024 announcement of the cover, Wilson Jr. said: “’Stand By Me’ was the song that brought my dad back, if only for a few.” He also described it as the song that started his journey and helped clarify what he was meant to do with his time. His account frames the performance as a connection to his late father, not a claim that the song literally brought him back.
The personal context gives the cover its emotional center: this is a familiar song interpreted by an artist who associates it with family memory and the beginning of his own musical path.
Where the performance first appeared
Big Loud announced the recording on November 22, 2024, after it had first appeared as a live performance in the Live At The Print Shop series. The label called it a new take on the classic. In that same 2024 announcement, Big Loud reported more than 1 million YouTube views and more than 18 million views across social media. Those are historical figures reported by the label at the time, not current view counts. Big Loud Records’ announcement
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute#1 Best Overall
What makes this version a reinvention
“Reinvents” is best understood here as an interpretive claim, not a technical one. Wilson Jr. brings his own vocal identity and personal history to a live performance of a song long associated with King. Premier Guitar has described Wilson Jr.’s voice as weathered and carrying country soul, a useful description of the quality he brings to covers, but not a breakdown of this arrangement. Premier Guitar’s profile
The available documented accounts do not establish how the recording differs from King’s in tempo, key, meter, tuning, harmony, lyrics, or instrumentation. Without a reliable arrangement analysis, those details should not be treated as facts. The supported distinction is the performance context and Wilson Jr.’s personal framing.
Rank #2
The song’s writers and Wilson Jr.’s release
“Stand By Me” was written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller. John Lennon’s official discography identifies the 1961 original and credits all three writers; Qobuz likewise lists them as composer-lyricists for Wilson Jr.’s recording. John Lennon’s official discography
Qobuz lists Wilson Jr.’s “Stand By Me” as a 4:07 track with a 2024 ℗ line. It appears as the first track on the deluxe edition of søn of dad. Qobuz track listing
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #3
- Melody/Lyrics/Guitar Chords
- Pages: 146
- Instrumentation: Guitar
The deluxe vinyl edition
Darkside Records lists a four-LP vinyl edition of søn of dad (deluxe) that opens with “Stand By Me (Live at The Print Shop).” The listing gives July 11, 2025 as its release date and UPC 602475764816. These details identify a specific edition; retailer price and availability can change. Darkside Records’ listing
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Melody/Lyrics/Chords
- Pages: 148
- Instrumentation: Banjo
- Instrumentation: Guitar
- Instrumentation: Mandolin
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
