Yes, we're taking you back to an era in Michael Jackson's career that some might have forgotten; or others never knew about. You see, Michael was just 13 years-old at the time and had been a rising star emerging out of the Jackson 5. His vocal talent stuck out as a youngster on the very competitive music scene. That was enough for Motown to take and second chance with him as a solo artist. And the gamble paid off. So they took a song that was from a 1971 killer rat film--"Willard, '' and the song"Ben" In 1972 "Ben was released topping the US billboard Hot 100 and the Australian ARIA charts giving Jackson his first hit single domestically and internationally. With a team of talented musical arrangers and Jackson's perfect play on the notes-- listen especially as he says, "I don't listen to a word they say" They don't see you...." The song turned out to be a classic. Here are the lyrics.
BEN
Ben the two of us need look no more
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone
And you, my friend will see
You've got a friend in me
(You've got a friend in me)
Ben you're always running here and there (here and there)
You feel you're not wanted anywhere (anywhere)
If you ever look behind
And don't like what you find
There's something you should know
You've got a place to go
(You've got a place to go)
I used to say "I" am "me"
Now it's "us now it's "we"
( I use to say "I" and "me")
(Now it's "us now it's "we")
Ben most people would turn you away (turn you away)
I don't listen to a word they say ( a word they say)
They don't see you as I do
I wish they would try to
I'm sure they'll think again
If they had a friend like Ben
A friend
Like Ben
(Like Ben)
A friend
Writers: Don Black/Walter Scharf
© Motown Records 1972
BEN
Ben the two of us need look no more
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone
And you, my friend will see
You've got a friend in me
(You've got a friend in me)
Ben you're always running here and there (here and there)
You feel you're not wanted anywhere (anywhere)
If you ever look behind
And don't like what you find
There's something you should know
You've got a place to go
(You've got a place to go)
I used to say "I" am "me"
Now it's "us now it's "we"
( I use to say "I" and "me")
(Now it's "us now it's "we")
Ben most people would turn you away (turn you away)
I don't listen to a word they say ( a word they say)
They don't see you as I do
I wish they would try to
I'm sure they'll think again
If they had a friend like Ben
A friend
Like Ben
(Like Ben)
A friend
Writers: Don Black/Walter Scharf
© Motown Records 1972