You're writing it is how you feel. And when you're finished you put your signature on it and you mail it off and that's it. And that's how "Stand By Me" was really.

I still perform it in all my shows. I'll do it as long as I'm breathing. I'm so proud it has stood the test of time.

It never dawned on me at any particular time of my life that people are paid tremendous money to sing.

Of course, the kids who had never heard of a person called Ben E. King were then aware of the name associated with the song. That gave a tremendous lift to me as an artist.

I do like what Alicia Keys and John Legend are doing. With their music, you keep your clothes on.

You take a chance to do something and you realize in your heart it's either going to be the greatest thing that ever happened or the worst thing that ever happened. It won't be an in between, I almost made a hit. It will be an instant flop or an instant success.

I never even visualized for a second doing what I'm doing.