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{{short description|Song written by Don Black and composed by Walter Scharf}} {{short description|Song written by Don Black and composed by Walter Scharf}}
⚫ {{For|the Adair Lion song|BEN (song)}}
{{pp-pc1}} {{pp-pc1}}
⚫ {{For|the Adair Lion song|BEN (song)}}
{{Infobox song {{Infobox song
| name = Ben | name = Ben
| image = Ben by michael jackson brasilian vinyl side-A.png
| cover = Ben_Michael_Jackson.jpg
| alt = | alt = vinyl label
| caption = Side A of the Brazilian single
| type = single | type = single
| artist = ] | artist = ]
Line 12: Line 12:
| B-side = You Can Cry on My Shoulder | B-side = You Can Cry on My Shoulder
| released = July 12, 1972 | released = July 12, 1972
| format = ]
| recorded = November 1971 | recorded = November 1971
| studio = | studio =
| venue = | genre =
| genre = {{hlist|]|]}} * ]
* ]
| length = 2:44 | length = 2:44
| label = ] | label = ]
| writer = {{hlist|]|]}} | writer =
* ]
* ]
| producer = ] | producer = ]
| prev_title = ] | prev_title = ]
Line 27: Line 29:
}} }}


"'''Ben'''" is a song written by ] and ] for the ] (the sequel to the 1971 killer rat film '']''). It was performed in the film by ] and by ] over the closing credits. Jackson's single, recorded for the ] label in 1972, spent one week at the top of the ].<ref name=Cadman>{{cite book |last=Cadman |first=Chris |authorlink= |title=]: For the Record |year=2007 |publisher=Authors OnLine |location= |isbn=978-0-7552-0267-6 }}</ref> '']'' ranked it as the number 20 song for 1972.<ref>]</ref> It also reached number 1 on the ], spending eight weeks at the top spot.<ref name=Cadman/> The song also later reached a peak of number 7 on the ].<ref name=Cadman/> In 2004, the song appeared in '']''. "'''Ben'''" (often referred to as "'''Ben's Song'''")<ref>{{Cite web |title=BEN (1972) - (MOVIE CLIP) BEN'S SONG |url=https://www.tcm.com/video/1366325/ben-1972-bens-song |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808142008/https://www.tcm.com/video/1366325/ben-1972-bens-song |archive-date=8 August 2022 |access-date=13 February 2024 |website=Turner Classic Movies}}</ref> is a song written by ] and ] for the ] (a spin-off to the 1971 killer rat film '']''). It was performed by ] in the film and by ] over the closing credits. Jackson's single, recorded for the ] label in 1972, spent one week at the top of the ], making it Jackson's first number one single in the US as a solo artist.<ref name=Cadman>{{cite book |last=Cadman |first=Chris |title=]: For the Record |year=2007 |publisher=Authors OnLine |isbn=978-0-7552-0267-6}}</ref> '']'' ranked it as the number 20 song for 1972.<ref>]</ref> It also reached number 1 on the ], spending eight weeks at the top spot.<ref name=Cadman/> The song also later reached a peak of number 7 on the ].<ref name=Cadman/> In 2004, the song appeared in '']''.


"Ben" won a ] for ]. It was nominated for an ] for ] in 1973, losing to "]" by ] from '']''. Jackson ] to the song at the Oscars ceremony, possibly as his vocal range had shifted since its recording.<ref name="Ben at Oscars">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1dAQN5QcZU |title="Ben" at Oscars |publisher=Youtube.com |date=2009-06-26 |accessdate=2013-12-26}}</ref> The song was Jackson's first U.S. number 1 solo hit. "Ben" won a ] for ]. It was nominated for an ] for ] in 1973, losing to "]" by ] from '']''. Jackson ] to the song at the Oscars ceremony.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}<ref name="Ben at Oscars">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp6oBRbhpe4 |title=Michael Jackson - Ben (Oscars 1973) |publisher=Youtube.com |date=3 February 2011 |access-date=22 February 2024}}</ref>


==Background== ==Background==
Originally written for ], "Ben" was offered to Jackson as Osmond was on tour at the time and unavailable for recording.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lvrj.com/news/49334897.html |title=Donny Osmond |publisher=Lvrj.com |date=2009-06-27 |accessdate=2013-12-26}}</ref> In addition to its one week at number 1 in the U.S., the song also later reached a peak of number 7 on the ].<ref name="Cadman"/> "Ben" won a ] for ]. It was also nominated for an ] in 1973; Jackson performed the song in front of a live audience at the ceremony.<ref name="Ben at Oscars"/> '']'' called it a "beauty."<ref name=bb>{{cite news|newspaper=Billboard|accessdate=2020-08-02|title=Radio Action and Pick Singles|date=July 22, 1972|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1972/BB-1972-07-22.pdf|page=93}}</ref> "Ben" was written for ], but he was on tour at the time and unavailable for recording, so Black and Scharf offered the song to Jackson instead.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lvrj.com/news/49334897.html |title=Donny Osmond |publisher=Lvrj.com |date=2009-06-27 |access-date=2020-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303040249/http://www.reviewjournal.com/norm-clarke/donny-osmond-recalls-old-friend |archive-date=2016-03-03}}</ref> In addition to its one week at number 1 in the US, the song later reached a peak of number 7 on the ].<ref name="Cadman"/> "Ben" won a ] for ]. It was also nominated for an ] in 1973; Jackson performed the song in front of a live audience at the ceremony.<ref name="Ben at Oscars"/> '']'' called it a "beauty".<ref name=bb>{{cite news|newspaper=Billboard|access-date=2020-08-02|title=Radio Action and Pick Singles|date=July 22, 1972|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1972/BB-1972-07-22.pdf|page=93}}</ref>


Although Jackson had already become the youngest artist to ever record a number 1 ("]" with ], in ]),<ref>https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2018/08/29/ranking-michael-jacksons-no-1-hits-honor-his-60th-birthday/1112672002/</ref> "Ben" made him the third-youngest solo artist, at 14, to score a number 1 hit single. Only ], who was 13 when "]" went to number 1, and Osmond, who was months shy of his 14th birthday when "]" hit number 1 in ], were younger. The song is one of Jackson's most re-released, having appeared on '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', the North American version of '']'' (even though it is the 1981 live version), some versions of '']'' and '']''. Although Jackson had already become the youngest artist to ever record a number 1 ("]" with ], in ]),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2018/08/29/ranking-michael-jacksons-no-1-hits-honor-his-60th-birthday/1112672002/|title=Ranking Michael Jackson's No. 1 hits, in honor of what would have been his 60th birthday|first=Maeve|last=McDermott|website=Usatoday.com|access-date=April 23, 2021}}</ref> "Ben" made him the third-youngest solo artist, at 14, to score a number 1 hit single. Only ], who was 13 when "]" went to number 1, and Osmond, who was months shy of his 14th birthday when "]" hit number 1 in ], were younger. The song is one of Jackson's most re-released, having appeared on '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', the North American version of '']'' (even though here it is the 1981 live version), some versions of '']'' and '']''.


A live recorded version was released on the 1981 album '']'' and remixed versions have appeared on '']'', '']'' and some versions of '']''. After Jackson's death, singer ] released a remix of the song with his own background vocals and Jackson's original vocal solo. Live recorded versions were released on the 1981 album '']'' and '']'', and remixed versions have appeared on '']'', '']'' and some versions of '']''. After Jackson's death, singer ] released a remix of the song with his own background vocals and Jackson's original vocal solo.


Osmond did record it later in his career, including it in his 2014 album '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 January 2015 |title=Donny Osmond Gets Personal With 'Soundtrack Of My Life' |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donny-osmond-soundtrack-of-my-life_b_6431046 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104043752/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donny-osmond-soundtrack-of-my-life_b_6431046 |archive-date=4 November 2023 |access-date=4 November 2023 |website=Huff Post}}</ref>
==Chart performance==

⚫ ==Critical reception==
⚫ ] editor Lindsay Planer wrote about the success of the song: "Like much of the Motown empire at the time, the title track's multimedia exposure, coupled with strong crossover appeal, ensured that 'Ben' scored the artist his first Pop Singles' chart-topper".<ref>{{cite web|author=Lindsay Planer |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/ben-mw0000197848 |title=Ben - Michael Jackson &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=2013-12-26}}</ref> '']'' editor ] was not satisfied: "The title song is lovely, no doubt, and Michael packs it with a surprising amount of feeling (his delivery of 'They don't see you as I do/I wish they would try to' still tears me up) but it's all a little too thick for my tastes".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/albums/album/187701/review/5946973/ben |title=Michael Jackson: Ben: Music Reviews: Rolling Stone |magazine=] |date=1972-12-07 |access-date=2013-12-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618104812/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/albums/album/187701/review/5946973/ben |archive-date=June 18, 2008}}</ref>

==Charts==
{{col-begin}} {{col-begin}}
{{col-2}} {{col-2}}


===Weekly charts=== ===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable" {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+1972 weekly chart performance for "Ben"
⚫ |-
!Chart (1972) !scope="col"|Chart (1972)
!Peak<br />position !scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|- |-
|Australian ] !scope="row"|Australia (])
| style="text-align:center;"|1 | style="text-align:center;"|1
|- |-
|Canada ''RPM'' Top Singles<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.4210&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.4210.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.4210 |title=Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada |website=Bac-lac.gc.ca |date= |accessdate=2016-10-06}}</ref> !scope="row"|Canada ''RPM'' Top Singles<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.4210&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.4210.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.4210 |title=Image: RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada |website=Bac-lac.gc.ca |date=17 July 2013 |access-date=2016-10-06}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|6 | style="text-align:center;"|6
|- |-
|Canada ''RPM'' Adult Contemporary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=9840& |title=Item: 9840 - Library and Archives Canada |website=Bac-lac.gc.ca |date= |accessdate=2016-10-06}}</ref> !scope="row"|Canada ''RPM'' Adult Contemporary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=9840& |title=Item: 9840 - Library and Archives Canada |website=Bac-lac.gc.ca |date=17 July 2013 |access-date=2016-10-06}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|13 | style="text-align:center;"|13
|- |-
|South Africa<ref>http://www.rock.co.za/files/sa_charts_1969_1989_songs_(A-B).html</ref> !scope="row"|South African Singles Chart<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rock.co.za/files/sa_charts_1969_1989_songs_(A-B).html|title=South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Songs (A-B)|website=Rock.co.za|access-date=April 23, 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|14 | style="text-align:center;"|14
|- |-
|]<ref name="uksc">{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/48%20Crash |title=The Official Charts Company |accessdate=2010-03-03 |df= }}</ref> !scope="row"|] (])<ref name=occ>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16519/michael-jackson/|title=Michael Jackson — full Official Chart History|publisher=]|access-date=September 30, 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|7 | style="text-align:center;"|7
|- |-
!scope="row"|US ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/michael-jackson/chart-history/hsi/|publisher=]|access-date=21 September 2021|title=Michael Jackson Chart History (Hot 100)|language=en|date=21 September 2021}}</ref>
|U.S. ]
| style="text-align:center;"|1 |align="center"|1
|- |-
|U.S. ''Billboard'' ]<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |authorlink= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=118}}</ref> !scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' ]<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |author-link= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=118}}</ref>
|align="center"|3 |align="center"|3
|- |-
|U.S. ] Top 100<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19721021.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 10/21/72 |website=Tropicalglen.com |date=1972-10-21 |accessdate=2016-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111083154/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19721021.html |archive-date=2014-11-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> !scope="row"|US ] Top 100<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19721021.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 10/21/72 |website=Tropicalglen.com |date=1972-10-21 |access-date=2016-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111083154/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19721021.html |archive-date=2014-11-11 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"|2
⚫ |}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+1973 weekly chart performance for "Ben"
⚫ !scope="col"|Chart (1973)
⚫ !scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|- |-
⚫ !scope="row"|]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page%3D15 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-01-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304192310/http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=15 |archive-date=2016-03-04}}</ref>
!Chart (1973)
⚫ !Peak<br />position
⚫ |-
⚫ |]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page%3D15 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2015-01-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304192310/http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=15 |archivedate=2016-03-04 }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|15 | style="text-align:center;"|15
|- |-
|New Zealand ('']'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qartistid=1193#n_view_location |title=flavour of new zealand - search listener |website=Flavourofnz.co.nz |date= |accessdate=2016-10-06}}</ref> !scope="row"|New Zealand ('']'')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qartistid=1193#n_view_location |title=flavour of new zealand - search listener |website=Flavourofnz.co.nz |access-date=2016-10-06 |archive-date=2016-10-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005044140/http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qartistid=1193#n_view_location |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|18 | style="text-align:center;"|18
⚫ |}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+2009 weekly chart performance for "Ben"
⚫ !scope="col"|Chart (2009)
⚫ !scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|- |-
!scope="row"|]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Ben&cat=s|publisher=]|access-date=21 September 2021|title=Michael Jackson - Ben|language=en|date=21 September 2021}}</ref>
⚫ !Chart (2009)
⚫ !Peak<br />position
|-
|]
| style="text-align:center;"|14 | style="text-align:center;"|14
|- |-
|] !scope="row"|]
| style="text-align:center;"|24 | style="text-align:center;"|24
|- |-
|] !scope="row"|]
| style="text-align:center;"|46 | style="text-align:center;"|46
|} |}
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===Year-end charts=== ===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+1972 year-end chart performance for "Ben"
!scope="col"|Chart (1972)
!scope="col"|Position
|- |-
!align="left"|Chart (1972) !scope="row"|Canada
! style="text-align:center;"|Rank
|-
|Canada
| style="text-align:center;"|18 | style="text-align:center;"|18
|- |-
|U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1972.htm |title=Top 100 Hits of 1972/Top 100 Songs of 1972 |website=Musicoutfitters.com |accessdate=2016-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427223218/http://musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1972.htm |archive-date=2017-04-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> !scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1972.htm |title=Top 100 Hits of 1972/Top 100 Songs of 1972 |website=Musicoutfitters.com |access-date=2016-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427223218/http://musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1972.htm |archive-date=2017-04-27 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|20 | style="text-align:center;"|20
|- |-
|U.S. ''Cash Box''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1972YESP.html |title=Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1972 |website=Tropicalglen.com |date=1972-12-30 |accessdate=2016-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928150812/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1972YESP.html |archive-date=2018-09-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> !scope="row"|US ''Cash Box''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1972YESP.html |title=Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1972 |website=Tropicalglen.com |date=1972-12-30 |access-date=2016-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928150812/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1972YESP.html |archive-date=2018-09-28 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|45 | style="text-align:center;"|45
|} |}
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+1973 year-end chart performance for "Ben"
⚫ !scope="col"|Chart (1973)
!scope="col"|Position
|- |-
⚫ !scope="row"|Australia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |title=Australian Chart Book |website=Austchartbook.com.au |access-date=2016-10-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064644/http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |archive-date=2016-03-05}}</ref>
⚫ !align="left"|Chart (1973)
! style="text-align:center;"|Rank
|-
⚫ |Australia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |title=Australian Chart Book |website=Austchartbook.com.au |accessdate=2016-10-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064644/http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |archivedate=2016-03-05 }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|12 | style="text-align:center;"|12
|} |}
{{col-end}} {{col-end}}


==Certifications and sales==
== Covers ==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Ben"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=single|nocert=true|salesamount=51,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1975/Billboard-1975-06-07.pdf|magazine=]|title=Label's Biggest Seller Almost Wasn't Released|page=24|date=June 7, 1975|accessdate=February 1, 2023}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Ben|award=Silver|relyear=2004|certyear=2023|id=787-168-1|access-date=May 12, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

⚫ ==Marti Webb version==
{{Infobox song {{Infobox song
| name = Ben | name = Ben
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| B-side = Nothing Ever Changes | B-side = Nothing Ever Changes
| released = 1985 | released = 1985
| format = 7" single | recorded =
| recorded = ], London | studio =], London
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = | genre =
| length = | length =
Line 145: Line 160:
}} }}


⚫ In 1985, the song became a top 10 hit again in the U.K. when covered by ]<ref name="chartmart" /> as a tribute to ], a young ] patient. <ref>{{Cite web |date=20 December 2022 |title=Marti Webb – The Pheasantry |url=https://musicaltheatrereview.com/marti-webb-the-pheasantry-3/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219065852/https://musicaltheatrereview.com/marti-webb-the-pheasantry-3/ |archive-date=19 February 2024 |access-date=19 February 2024 |website=Musical Theatre Review}}</ref> This version reached No. 5 in the ] and was one of the singer's biggest hits.<ref name="chartmart">{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/18242/marti-webb/|title=MARTI WEBB &#124; full Official Chart History &#124; Official Charts Company|website=Oofficialcharts.com|access-date=April 23, 2021}}</ref>
⚫ === Marti Webb version (1985) ===
{{Clear}}
⚫ In 1985, the song became a top 10 hit again in the U.K. when covered by ]<ref name="chartmart" /> as a tribute to ], a young ] patient. {{cn|date=June 2017}} This version reached #5 in the ] and was one of the singer's biggest hits.<ref name="chartmart">http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/18242/marti-webb</ref> The song's lyricist, Don Black, was at the time Webb's manager.{{cn|date=June 2017}}


==Other cover versions==
=== Crispin Glover version (2003) ===
] performed a cover of the song, as well starred and directed a music video, to the ]. The video featured ] (who also appears in the movie) as a few male patrons, as well ] and ] among the female extras. <ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61JBzhErFqU |title=Crispin Glover - "Ben" |date=2019-12-03 |last=Roman "Romych" Pictures |access-date=2024-11-19 |via=YouTube}}</ref> ] of the band ] performed a cover of the song on a 1991 episode of '']'' titled "]". Jackson himself appeared as a guest voice in this episode, but for contractual reasons, all of the singing lines his character had were given to Lennon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-bizarre-dispute-over-whether-three-michael-jackson-songs-were-actually-sung-by-someone-else|title=The Bizarre Dispute Over Whether Three Michael Jackson Songs Were Actually Sung by Someone Else|first=Doreen St|last=Félix|date=August 29, 2018|work=]}}</ref> The song was also regularly performed live by rock band ] during their ] in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/reviews/faith-coachella-2010-reunited-feels-good|title=FAITH NO MORE at Coachella 2010: Reunited And It Feels So Good!|first=Metal|last=Injection|date=April 19, 2010|website=Metal Injection}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2010/04/faith-no-more-big-pimping-their-coachella-reunion/|title=Faith No More: Big Pimping Their Coachella Reunion! |work=SPIN}}</ref>
] re-recorded a version of the song for the soundtrack of the ]. A ] for the song was produced, which also featured Glover.

⚫ ==Critical reception==
⚫ ] editor Lindsay Planer wrote about the success of the song: "Like much of the Motown empire at the time, the title track's multimedia exposure, coupled with strong crossover appeal, ensured that "Ben" scored the artist his first Pop Singles' chart-topper" and he highlighted the track.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lindsay Planer |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/ben-mw0000197848 |title=Ben - Michael Jackson &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |date= |accessdate=2013-12-26}}</ref> '']'' editor ] was not satisfied: "The title song is lovely, no doubt, and Michael packs it with a surprising amount of feeling (his delivery of "They don't see you as I do/I wish they would try to" still tears me up) but it's all a little too thick for my tastes."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/albums/album/187701/review/5946973/ben |title=Michael Jackson: Ben : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone |date=1972-12-07 |accessdate=2013-12-26 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618104812/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/albums/album/187701/review/5946973/ben |archivedate=June 18, 2008 }}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
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==External links== ==External links==
*{{youtube|T1dAQN5QcZU|Michael Jackson performing ''Ben'' at the Oscars®}} * {{YouTube|YaB7d5GvNCc|Michael Jackson - Ben}}


{{Willard}} {{Willard}}
{{Michael Jackson songs}} {{Michael Jackson songs}}
{{Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song}} {{Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song}}
{{Marti Webb}}

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Latest revision as of 00:51, 14 December 2024

Song written by Don Black and composed by Walter Scharf For the Adair Lion song, see BEN (song).

"Ben"
vinyl labelSide A of the Brazilian single
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Ben
B-side"You Can Cry on My Shoulder"
ReleasedJuly 12, 1972
RecordedNovember 1971
Genre
Length2:44
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)The Corporation
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Ain't No Sunshine"
(1972) 		"Ben"
(1972) 		"With a Child's Heart"
(1973)

"Ben" (often referred to as "Ben's Song") is a song written by Don Black and Walter Scharf for the 1972 film of the same name (a spin-off to the 1971 killer rat film Willard). It was performed by Lee Montgomery in the film and by Michael Jackson over the closing credits. Jackson's single, recorded for the Motown label in 1972, spent one week at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, making it Jackson's first number one single in the US as a solo artist. Billboard ranked it as the number 20 song for 1972. It also reached number 1 on the ARIA Charts, spending eight weeks at the top spot. The song also later reached a peak of number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2004, the song appeared in The Ultimate Collection.

"Ben" won a Golden Globe for Best Song. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1973, losing to "The Morning After" by Maureen McGovern from The Poseidon Adventure. Jackson lip-synced to the song at the Oscars ceremony.

Background

"Ben" was written for Donny Osmond, but he was on tour at the time and unavailable for recording, so Black and Scharf offered the song to Jackson instead. In addition to its one week at number 1 in the US, the song later reached a peak of number 7 on the British pop chart. "Ben" won a Golden Globe for Best Song. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1973; Jackson performed the song in front of a live audience at the ceremony. Billboard called it a "beauty".

Although Jackson had already become the youngest artist to ever record a number 1 ("I Want You Back" with The Jackson 5, in 1970), "Ben" made him the third-youngest solo artist, at 14, to score a number 1 hit single. Only Stevie Wonder, who was 13 when "Fingertips" went to number 1, and Osmond, who was months shy of his 14th birthday when "Go Away Little Girl" hit number 1 in 1971, were younger. The song is one of Jackson's most re-released, having appeared on The Jackson 5 Anthology, The Best of Michael Jackson, 18 Greatest Hits, Michael Jackson Anthology, Jackson 5: The Ultimate Collection, The Essential Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection, Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection, The Definitive Collection, The Jacksons Story, the North American version of Number Ones (even though here it is the 1981 live version), some versions of King of Pop and Icon.

Live recorded versions were released on the 1981 album The Jacksons Live! and Live at the Forum, and remixed versions have appeared on The Remix Suite, The Stripped Mixes and some versions of Immortal. After Jackson's death, singer Akon released a remix of the song with his own background vocals and Jackson's original vocal solo.

Osmond did record it later in his career, including it in his 2014 album The Soundtrack of My Life.

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Lindsay Planer wrote about the success of the song: "Like much of the Motown empire at the time, the title track's multimedia exposure, coupled with strong crossover appeal, ensured that 'Ben' scored the artist his first Pop Singles' chart-topper". Rolling Stone editor Vince Aletti was not satisfied: "The title song is lovely, no doubt, and Michael packs it with a surprising amount of feeling (his delivery of 'They don't see you as I do/I wish they would try to' still tears me up) but it's all a little too thick for my tastes".

Charts

Weekly charts

1972 weekly chart performance for "Ben"
Chart (1972) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) 1
Canada RPM Top Singles 6
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary 13
South African Singles Chart 14
UK Singles (OCC) 7
US Billboard Hot 100 1
US Billboard Adult Contemporary 3
US Cash Box Top 100 2
1973 weekly chart performance for "Ben"
Chart (1973) Peak
position
Irish Singles Chart 15
New Zealand (Listener) 18
2009 weekly chart performance for "Ben"
Chart (2009) Peak
position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart 14
Irish Singles Chart 24
UK Singles Chart 46

Year-end charts

1972 year-end chart performance for "Ben"
Chart (1972) Position
Canada 18
US Billboard Hot 100 20
US Cash Box 45
1973 year-end chart performance for "Ben"
Chart (1973) Position
Australia 12

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for "Ben"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Mexico — 51,000
United Kingdom (BPI) Silver 200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Marti Webb version

"Ben"
Single by Marti Webb
from the album Encore
B-side"Nothing Ever Changes"
Released1985
StudioAngel Recording Studios, London
LabelStarblend Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)John Altman
Marti Webb singles chronology
"For the Touch of Your Love"
(1983) 		"Ben"
(1985) 		"Ready for Roses Now"
(1985)

In 1985, the song became a top 10 hit again in the U.K. when covered by Marti Webb as a tribute to Ben Hardwick, a young liver transplant patient. This version reached No. 5 in the U.K. Singles Chart and was one of the singer's biggest hits.

Other cover versions

Crispin Glover performed a cover of the song, as well starred and directed a music video, to the 2003 remake of Willard. The video featured R. Lee Ermey (who also appears in the movie) as a few male patrons, as well Lindsay Beamish and Jane Jensen among the female extras. Kipp Lennon of the band Venice performed a cover of the song on a 1991 episode of The Simpsons titled "Stark Raving Dad". Jackson himself appeared as a guest voice in this episode, but for contractual reasons, all of the singing lines his character had were given to Lennon. The song was also regularly performed live by rock band Faith No More during their reunion tour in 2010.

See also

References

  1. "BEN (1972) - (MOVIE CLIP) BEN'S SONG". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  2. ^ Cadman, Chris (2007). Michael Jackson: For the Record. Authors OnLine. ISBN 978-0-7552-0267-6.
  3. Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1972
  4. ^ "Michael Jackson - Ben (Oscars 1973)". Youtube.com. 3 February 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  5. "Donny Osmond". Lvrj.com. 2009-06-27. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  6. "Radio Action and Pick Singles" (PDF). Billboard. July 22, 1972. p. 93. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  7. McDermott, Maeve. "Ranking Michael Jackson's No. 1 hits, in honor of what would have been his 60th birthday". Usatoday.com. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  8. "Donny Osmond Gets Personal With 'Soundtrack Of My Life'". Huff Post. 13 January 2015. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  9. Lindsay Planer. "Ben - Michael Jackson | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  10. "Michael Jackson: Ben: Music Reviews: Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. 1972-12-07. Archived from the original on June 18, 2008. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  11. "Image: RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  12. "Item: 9840 - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  13. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Songs (A-B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  14. "Michael Jackson — full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  15. "Michael Jackson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  16. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 118.
  17. "Cash Box Top 100 10/21/72". Tropicalglen.com. 1972-10-21. Archived from the original on 2014-11-11. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-01-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. "flavour of new zealand - search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2016-10-05. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  20. "Michael Jackson - Ben". ARIA Charts. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  21. "Top 100 Hits of 1972/Top 100 Songs of 1972". Musicoutfitters.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-27. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  22. "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1972". Tropicalglen.com. 1972-12-30. Archived from the original on 2018-09-28. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  23. "Australian Chart Book". Austchartbook.com.au. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  24. "Label's Biggest Seller Almost Wasn't Released" (PDF). Billboard. June 7, 1975. p. 24. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  25. "British single certifications – Michael Jackson – Ben". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  26. ^ "MARTI WEBB | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Oofficialcharts.com. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  27. "Marti Webb – The Pheasantry". Musical Theatre Review. 20 December 2022. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  28. Roman "Romych" Pictures (2019-12-03). Crispin Glover - "Ben" [HD]. Retrieved 2024-11-19 – via YouTube.
  29. Félix, Doreen St (August 29, 2018). "The Bizarre Dispute Over Whether Three Michael Jackson Songs Were Actually Sung by Someone Else". The New Yorker.
  30. Injection, Metal (April 19, 2010). "FAITH NO MORE at Coachella 2010: Reunited And It Feels So Good!". Metal Injection.
  31. "Faith No More: Big Pimping Their Coachella Reunion!". SPIN.

External links

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