"Annie Bethancourt puts on a show that explains the… Read Full Bio ↴WHAT THE "THEY" SAY:
"Annie Bethancourt puts on a show that explains the difference between raw talent and deft technique. Or, rather, she inhabits both."
-- Troy Johnson, Music Editor San Diego CityBeat
"...bluesy and raw. Her voice is angelic, and resonates the deep emotions in her songs. (she) has got a lot of talent on her lips and at her fingertips."
--discoveringartists.com
"a lucid mixture of Joni Mitchell and Fiona Apple that goes from hushed whispers, operatic heights, and then coal-walking wails, all within the same song."
--Seth Combs
WHAT ANNIE SAYS:
i am a san francisco baby raised in the southern california sun, now with one foot in the costa rican pacific and one foot underneath the portland pines. i love everything about the ocean--more so when it's warm. i love writing short stories, even though i rarely finish any of them. i could eat fruit for every meal. i have a personal disdain for the term "let's hang out" used in place of asking someone for a date. i'm a pastor's daughter who loves god and still swears like a sailor sometimes. i read a lot, often several books at a time. i'm strong, i'm independent, but i'm consistently embarrassed by my uncontrollable crying in sad movies (i think i can't separate fictional characters from real people, just like when i read "the island of the blue dolphins" in the third grade and was inconsolable for weeks). i miss spain, and sometimes i imagine i'm back there. i love laughing, probably more than anything, although close seconds would be riding perfect glassy waves or being warm in pajamas. i lied--i love performing my music for people more than anything. i get along with my parents really well. i like things clean but i'm not necessarily always clean. i'm always making lists and plans, but i'm not necessarily organized. i love dancing but i have to be in the right mood. i will never, ever grow too old for bike riding. my cell phone is not my leash. i'm an independent artist who supports music file sharing but also supports supporting artists. i once had my eyebrow pierced. i don't wear lipstick. oftentimes i just like to be silent. if i could, i would always be barefoot. my brother is one of the coolest people i know. i'm stubborn, but i like to think i'm still open minded. sometimes i'm ashamed when i remember how i once was. i often find myself overwhelmed by the beauty in the world. i can't believe i get this life. i'm glad i'm here.
WHAT YOU SAY:
"Where can I buy one of Annie's CD'S??"
shucks, thanks for asking! You can get them:
http://anniebeth.com
http://anniebeth.wordpress.com/
http://www.myspace.com/anniebethancourt
Benjamin
Annie Bethancourt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a shy smile and a kind and tender soul
something different he couldn't name
it didn't matter that he knew it anyway
knew he wasn't the same
they wage war on the black asphalt
he lay in clovers outside their army wall
but he was watching the clouds and singing songs
they knew something was wrong
Benjamin - they say he acts kind of strange
he don't play the way the other boys play
and when they've taken him for hostage
with their killing games and guns
he says could you lay me under flowers
when you are done
days turn into months and years
coming in with hope and out with air
now a man, he grows proud
but with his freedom they say he speaks to loud
so they turn it around
friendly voices and nice words too
and he yearns to believe them, wouldn't you
follows them out of the crowded bar
and then they drive to the country in their car
where no one sees but the stars
Benjamin - he tries hard to be so brave
to sticks and stones
and the cruel words that people say
and as their stripping off his clothes
to make a pile of what he was
he's begging 'why oh why?'
and they're answering 'because'
morning comes with the blackbird song
does his mother sense that something is wrong
lied awake against the sleeping town
his body casting a shadow on the ground
with his head hanging down
Benjamin - is made a scarecrow in the field
a crown of thorns
to crucify the way they feel
and before light fades to blackness
he sees swirling of his blood
and thinks what pretty patterns
hatred makes on love
he says could you lay me under flowers
when you are done
The song, "Benjamin" by Annie Bethancourt, is a heart-wrenching narrative of a young boy named Benjamin who faces ostracism and cruelty from his peers, as he appears to be different from them. The lyrics paint an image of a young boy who is shy but has a tender and kind soul. However, he seems to know that he is not the same, and this difference is palpable to the other children who wage war on the black asphalt. The harshness of the bullies' treatment drives Benjamin away, and he finds solace in singing songs and watching the clouds.
As he grows older, Benjamin becomes a man who yearns for acceptance and follows friendly voices and nice words. However, his newfound acceptance is short-lived as he is stripped of his clothes and dignity and made a scarecrow in the field. The song culminates with an image of Benjamin lying on the ground, his head hanging down, hoping to be laid under flowers when they are done.
The song's lyrics delve into the complexities of human emotions, the need for acceptance, and the harsh reality of how society treats those who appear to be different. The narrative of Benjamin is a sobering reminder of how we as humans need to cultivate kindness and acceptance towards diversity.
Line by Line Meaning
he was a boy, eight years old
This line introduces us to Benjamin as a young child.
a shy smile and a kind and tender soul
He was a gentle and soft-spoken child.
something different he couldn't name
He felt like he didn't quite fit in with the other kids but didn't know why.
it didn't matter that he knew it anyway
Even though he knew he was different, it didn't bother him.
knew he wasn't the same
He had a feeling of not belonging with the other children.
they wage war on the black asphalt
The other kids were playing a game on the pavement.
he lay in clovers outside their army wall
Benjamin was laying in a field near where the other kids were playing.
they said why don't you come along
The other kids invited him to play with them.
but he was watching the clouds and singing songs
Benjamin was more interested in daydreaming than playing with the other kids.
they knew something was wrong
The other kids sensed that Benjamin was different and felt uneasy around him.
Benjamin - they say he acts kind of strange
As Benjamin grows up, people continue to gossip about him and judge him for being different.
he don't play the way the other boys play
Benjamin doesn't conform to the typical gender expectations for boys.
and when they've taken him for hostage
The other kids start treating Benjamin cruelly and using him as a pawn in their games.
with their killing games and guns
The other kids' games become violent and they use toy guns to pretend to kill each other.
he says could you lay me under flowers
when you are done
Benjamin would rather die than continue to be a part of the other kids' cruel games.
days turn into months and years
Time passes and Benjamin grows up.
coming in with hope and out with air
His hope for acceptance is continually shattered.
now a man, he grows proud
Despite years of bullying and ostracism, Benjamin maintains his dignity and pride.
but with his freedom they say he speaks too loud
Now that he is older and more independent, the people around him still criticize and judge him for being different.
so they turn it around
The people around him try to make it seem like it's his fault for not fitting in.
friendly voices and nice words too
People try to befriend and flatter Benjamin.
and he yearns to believe them, wouldn't you
Despite his past experiences, Benjamin wants to trust others and fit in with society.
follows them out of the crowded bar
Benjamin follows these new friends out into the world.
and then they drive to the country in their car
He goes on a car ride with these new friends.
where no one sees but the stars
They go somewhere isolated where no one else can see them.
he tries hard to be so brave
to sticks and stones
and the cruel words that people say
and as their stripping off his clothes
to make a pile of what he was
he's begging 'why oh why?'
and they're answering 'because'
His new friends betray him and abuse him, stripping him of his dignity and objectifying him.
morning comes with the blackbird song
The next day dawns as usual.
does his mother sense that something is wrong
His mother may sense that something is different or off about him.
lied awake against the sleeping town
Benjamin is awake while everyone else is sleeping.
his body casting a shadow on the ground
The sun is just starting to rise, casting long shadows across the ground.
with his head hanging down
Despite all his attempts to fit in and be accepted, Benjamin is still an outcast.
Benjamin - is made a scarecrow in the field
a crown of thorns
to crucify the way they feel
and before light fades to blackness
he sees swirling of his blood
and thinks what pretty patterns
hatred makes on love
The other people continue to criticize and mock Benjamin to the point that he feels like a human scarecrow. As he dies, he reflects on the beauty and tragedy of humanity.
he says could you lay me under flowers
when you are done
Benjamin would rather die than continue to be mocked and humiliated by the people around him.
Contributed by Grace G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.