Ben de Michael Jackson
Álbum de Michael Jackson
- Fecha de lanzamiento: 4 de Agosto de 1972
- Sello Discográfico: Motown
- Compositores: Don Black, Walter Scharf, Smokey Robinson, Varios
- Productores: Hal Davis, The Corporation, Berry Gordy
Ben es un álbum de Michael Jackson, publicado en 1972 por Motown. El disco incluye 10 canciones, entre ellas «Ben», «Greatest Show On Earth», «People Make The World Go 'Round» y «We've Got A Good Thing Going».
Lanzado en 1972, pocos meses después de su debut, Ben es el segundo álbum de estudio en solitario de Michael Jackson. Al igual que su predecesor, el álbum continúa la línea del soul y el pop orquestal característico del sonido Motown, con un Michael de 14 años demostrando una madurez vocal que desafiaba su edad. El disco es mundialmente famoso por su canción principal, "Ben", una emotiva balada sobre la amistad con una rata, que se convirtió en el primer sencillo número 1 en solitario de Jackson en Estados Unidos. Aunque, al igual que su primer trabajo, es un producto de la maquinaria Motown, "Ben" es un álbum encantador que consolidó a Michael Jackson como una estrella por derecho propio, más allá de The Jackson 5.
Cómo nació el disco
El éxito del primer álbum en solitario de Michael animó a Motown a lanzar rápidamente una continuación. La pieza central del álbum fue la canción "Ben", compuesta por Don Black y Walter Scharf para la película de terror del mismo nombre, una secuela de "Willard" sobre un niño solitario que se hace amigo de una rata llamada Ben. La canción, originalmente destinada a Donny Osmond, fue ofrecida a Jackson y se convirtió en un éxito inesperado. El resto del álbum se construyó en torno a este éxito, con el equipo de producción de Motown seleccionando una mezcla de baladas y temas de R&B que se ajustaran a la sensible voz de Michael.
Análisis musical y estilo
El sonido de "Ben" es muy similar al de "Got to Be There", dominado por el exuberante soul orquestal de Motown. El álbum se centra en las baladas, diseñadas para resaltar la increíble capacidad de Jackson para transmitir emoción. La producción es pulida, con ricos arreglos de cuerda y viento. A diferencia de los enérgicos temas de funk de The Jackson 5, "Ben" muestra el lado más suave e introspectivo de Michael.
Repaso a las canciones
La canción titular, "Ben", es una balada tierna y melancólica que, pese a su extraña temática cinematográfica, se convirtió en un himno universal sobre la amistad. La canción fue nominada al Oscar y ganó un Globo de Oro. El resto del álbum incluye una mezcla de originales y versiones, como "My Girl" de The Temptations y "Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day" de Stevie Wonder. "Greatest Show on Earth" es uno de los pocos temas de pop enérgico del disco.
Arte de portada
La portada del álbum es famosa por su temática, mostrando un primer plano de un Michael Jackson adolescente rodeado de ratas, en una clara alusión a la película que dio origen al sencillo principal. Es una de las portadas más inusuales y recordadas de su carrera.
Lanzamiento y cifras
Impulsado por el éxito masivo del sencillo "Ben", el álbum tuvo un excelente rendimiento comercial en todo el mundo.
- USA Billboard 200: 5
- UK Albums Chart: 17
- Australia (Kent Music Report): 17
Recepción crítica
La crítica elogió el álbum, destacando una vez más la increíble madurez de la voz de Jackson. Rolling Stone lo describió como "un disco bellamente cantado". "Ben" fue un paso crucial en la carrera de Michael Jackson, demostrando que su éxito en solitario no era una casualidad y que su talento como baladista era comparable al de los más grandes intérpretes de soul.
Listado de Canciones
- Ben2:42
Letra
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" and "me" Now it's "us", now it's "we" (I used to say, "I" and "me") (Now it's "us", now it's "we") Ben, most people would turn you away I don't listen to a word they say They don't see you as I do I wish they would try to I'm sure they'd think again If they had a friend like Ben (A friend) Like Ben (Like Ben) Like Ben - Greatest Show On Earth2:47
Letra
Love is like a circus and a carnival is beautiful to see Love can turn your mind around like Ferris wheels and spinning carousels You'll be a part of the world of make believe Flying high like a man on a trapeze [Chorus] Oh, everyday is a holiday Get your tickets right away Love, love, love Is the Greatest Show on Earth The fantasy you see is like a child again through rainbow colored eyes Step right up its circus time and get your moneys worth of love today You'll be a part of the world of make believe Flying high like a man on a trapeze [Chorus: x2] Love, love, love Is the greatest show on earth (yea e yea) Love, love, yea Is the greatest show on earth Love, love, yea - People Make The World Go 'Round3:15
- We've Got A Good Thing Going3:01
- Everybody's Somebody's Fool2:58
- My Girl3:05
Letra
I've got sunshine on a cloudy day When it's cold outside I've got the month of May I guess you'd say What can make me feel this way? My girl (my girl, my girl) Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl) I've got so much honey the bees envy me I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees I guess you'd say What can make me feel this way? My girl (my girl, my girl) Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl) Hey hey hey Hey hey hey Ooh I don't need no money, fortune, or fame I've got all the riches baby one man can claim I guess you'd say What can make me feel this way? My girl (my girl, my girl) Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl) I've got sunshine on a cloudy day With my girl I've even got the month of May With my girl - What Goes Around Comes Around3:35
Letra
My pocket were full and now my money's gone My friends come around and now they're gone Things come and they come and then they go And where they go nobody knows [Refrain] It's gonna come around What goes around comes around It's gonna come around What goes around comes around My cup over runneth with the fullness and grace Yet people push bullshit in my face The future can't hold what your money can't buy My brother keep striving your child relies [Refrain] It's gonna come around What goes around comes around It's gonna come around What goes around comes around The world keep on spinning does the future know? We're destined to screw ourselves one blow We've ruined what's pure down from nature below? You'd better look back it'll all be gone [Refrain] It's gonna come around What goes around comes around It's gonna come around What goes around comes around So children please listen this world is yours This message to deep to ignore Your forefathers said but they did not do The things that would show that they cared for you [Refrain] It's gonna come around What goes around comes around It's gonna come around What goes around comes around Comes around, comes around, comes around Comes around, comes around, comes around Comes around, comes around, comes around Comes around yeah Gonna take you higher I'm gonna take you higher I'm gonna take you higher Yeah yeah yeah I'm gonna take you higher Gonna take you higher Yeah yeah yeah Gonna take you higher, higher Higher, higher, higher, higher Gonna take you higher Gonna take you higher - In Our Small Way3:39
Letra
[Chorus] Maybe you and I can't do great things We may not change the world in one day But we still can change some things today In our small way Empty words are not enough Where there's hurt we'll be a crush When there's thirst we'll fill each other's cup Because we care we love enough to share [Chorus] In despair we'll be the hope And the prayer that frees the soul We'll be there to share each lonely road Because we love, I know We care enough [Chorus] Just a little time is all it takes What a difference just a smile can make, you'll see Love is all we need [Chorus] - Shoo Be Doo Be Doo Da Day3:19
Letra
Your precious sweetheart, she's so faithful She's so true, oh yeah Her dreams are tumblin' Her world is crumblin' Because of you, uh uh One day you'll hurt her just once too much And when you finally lose your tender touch [Chorus] Shoo-be-doo-be-doo-be-doo-da-day Her feet may wander, her heart may stray Shoo-be-doo-be-doo-be-doo-da-day You gonna send your baby straight to me I'm gonna give her all the lovin' Within my heart, oh yeah I'm gonna patch up every single little dream You torn apart, understand me now? And when she tells you she's cried her last tear Heaven knows I'm gonna be somewhere near [Chorus] Oh yeah-yeah, you better You better listen to me, yeah Heartaches are callin' and tears are fallin' Because of you, oh yeah And when you're gone she'll know I'm the one to go to her rescue Maybe you didn't know that baby You're gonna leave her one too many times And when you come back that Girl's gonna be mine, all mine - You Can Cry On My Shoulder2:32
Letra
Just because you know I love you so much Don't be afraid to tell me you're sad Because you lost his love Though your love is not for me I don't wanna see you in mysery, so come on, baby come on [Refrain] You can cry on my shoulder... You can cry on my shoulder And bring all your troubles to me All your troubles to me Big girls ain't supposed to cry, If you do I'll understand, Maybe I can show you how you can win his love again It may seem strange I know But it's just that I love you So come on, baby come on [Refrain] You can cry on my shoulder You can cry on my shoulder And bring all your troubles to me. All your troubles to me Girl you've given him all you had He,d better stop treating you so bad, Come on babe, come on, oh yeah [Refrain] You can cry on my shoulder, yes you can girl You can cry on my shoulder And bring all your troubles to me, yeah babe, yes you can now Darling, ooooh, oooooooh yes, yes you can girl... I'll be there to help, You can cry, you can cry, you can cry Baby (You can cry on my shoulder) Ooooooh yeah babe, yeah babe (You can cry on my shoulder) You can cry, you can cry...