His debut album, produced by Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Hurray For The Riff Raff), was released via ATO Records/Rough Trade Records.
Booker was hand-picked to open for Jack White on a series of US July dates, and following his first UK headline tour in May played a series of US dates with Courtney Barnett. He toured in the US with Hurray For The Riff Raff.
Booker's second album, "Witness", was released on June 2, 2017.
In September 2020, he released the single "Black Disco" with proceeds going to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Witness
Benjamin Booker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Am I
Gonna be a witness?
Gonna be a witness?
Am I
Am I
Gonna be a witness?
Gonna be a witness?
Am I
Gonna be a witness?
Gonna be a witness?
Am I
Am I
Gonna be a witness?
Gonna be a witness?
Right now we could use a little pick-me-up
Seems like the whole damn nation's trying to take us down
When your brother's dying
Mother's crying
TV's lying
All the reason's in the world don't mean shit to me now
See we thought that we saw that he had a gun
Thought that it looked like he started to run
Thought that we saw that he had a gun
Thought that it looked like he started to run
Am I
Am I
Gonna be a witness?
Just gonna be a witness?
Am I
Am I
Gonna be a witness?
Gonna be a witness?
Do you need another reason to get up
See how fast they turn when you're looking up
They say your dangerous
Cancerous
Not to trust
Now everybody that's brown can get the fuck on the ground
See we thought that we saw that he had a gun
Thought that it looked like he started to run
Thought that we saw that he had a gun
Thought that it looked like he started to run
Am I
Am I
Gonna be a witness?
Gonna be a witness?
Am I
Am I
Gonna be a witness?
Gonna be a witness?
Gonna be a witness? (Gonna be a witness?)
Just gonna be a witness? (Gonna be a witness?)
Am I
Woah
Gonna be a witness?
Just a witness?
I
Oh, I
The lyrics to Benjamin Booker's song "Witness" tackle themes of social injustice, racism, and the need for individuals to take a stand and be witnesses to the systemic issues affecting marginalized communities. The repetition of the lines "Am I gonna be a witness?" emphasizes the question the singer is asking himself about his role in addressing these problems.
The song opens with a sense of urgency, expressing the need for a pick-me-up in a nation that seems determined to bring people down. The references to a dying brother, a crying mother, and the lies propagated by the media highlight the pain and frustration caused by these systemic issues. The line "All the reasons in the world don't mean shit to me now" reflects the disillusionment one can feel when faced with such injustices.
The second verse delves into racial profiling, specifically targeting black individuals. The accusing tone in lines like "See how fast they turn when you're looking up" criticizes the way society discriminates against people of color. The lyrics "Now everybody that's brown can get the fuck on the ground" echo the experiences of racial profiling and police brutality that have disproportionately affected black communities.
Overall, "Witness" is a call to action and a plea for people to be aware of the social and racial inequalities around them. Through his lyrics, Benjamin Booker encourages individuals to question their own complicity and to become active witnesses, challenging the systems that perpetuate injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I
Am I questioning whether I will step forward as a witness?
Am I
Am I still uncertain about becoming a witness?
Gonna be a witness?
Will I actively participate as a witness?
Gonna be a witness?
Will I fulfill my role as a witness?
Am I
Am I still contemplating the idea of being a witness?
Am I
Am I still unsure about taking on the responsibility of being a witness?
Gonna be a witness?
Will I ultimately choose to be a witness?
Gonna be a witness?
Will I eventually decide to fulfill the duty of a witness?
Am I
Am I still questioning whether I have the courage to be a witness?
Am I
Am I still doubting my ability to be a witness?
Gonna be a witness?
Will I find the strength and conviction to be a witness?
Gonna be a witness?
Will I have the determination to fulfill my role as a witness?
Right now we could use a little pick-me-up
In our current situation, we could benefit from some encouragement or support
Seems like the whole damn nation's trying to take us down
It appears that the entire country is attempting to undermine or harm us
When your brother's dying
When your sibling is in a state of extreme suffering or near death
Mother's crying
The mother is expressing deep sorrow through her tears
TV's lying
The television is disseminating false or misleading information
All the reason's in the world don't mean shit to me now
No amount of logical explanations or justifications hold any significance for me at this moment
See we thought that we saw that he had a gun
We believed we witnessed a situation where a person appeared to possess a firearm
Thought that it looked like he started to run
We perceived his actions as if he had initiated a sprint or escape
Do you need another reason to get up
Do you require an additional motive or incentive to rise and take action?
See how fast they turn when you're looking up
Observe how quickly individuals change their behavior once you challenge or question them
They say you're dangerous
They claim that you pose a threat or are a risk to others
Cancerous
They describe you as being harmful or destructive
Not to trust
They advise others to not believe or rely on you
Now everybody that's brown can get the fuck on the ground
Now, individuals with a similar complexion or ethnicity are being instructed to submit or lie face down on the ground in a vulgarly dismissive manner
Gonna be a witness? (Gonna be a witness?)
Will I indeed assume the responsibility of being a witness? (Will I truly fulfill this role as a witness?)
Just gonna be a witness? (Gonna be a witness?)
Will I simply be a passive witness? (Will I only observe without taking action as a witness?)
Gonna be a witness?
Will I ultimately choose to be a witness?
Gonna be a witness?
Will I eventually decide to fulfill the duty of a witness?
Gonna be a witness? (Gonna be a witness?)
Will I assume the responsibility of being a witness? (Will I actively participate as a witness?)
Just gonna be a witness? (Gonna be a witness?)
Will I merely be a passive witness? (Will I fulfill my role as a witness without taking meaningful action?)
Am I
Am I questioning whether I will step forward as a witness?
Woah
Expressing surprise or emphasis
Gonna be a witness?
Will I actively participate as a witness?
Just a witness?
Merely fulfilling the role of a witness without taking significant action?
I
The singer reasserts their individual presence or identity
Oh, I
The singer emphasizes their personal connection to the situation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CARL FISCHER, LLC
Written by: BENJAMIN RODERICK EVANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steve Trivago
He’s incredible... always my go too guy when I’m trying to decide what to listen to.. this dude is ahead of the times
Lawrence Vaughan
How is this not massive?? It's one of the best tracks of the year. A brilliant uplifting song for such uncertain times.
XOHedie
you call this uncertain wow
jeffsteve
Been waiting ages for new music from Benny B, the man didn't disappoint, what a track!
Joe Carr
Didn't know as an artist you can only have a certain sound, enjoy the music don't be so harsh people. He's great!
Steve Trivago
Guys a genius and good man
fume
Great song great style just beautiful thanks Benjamin Booker
Eye AM
Took me over 3 yrs to find this jam with a soulful voice of Benjamin Booker that sounds a lil similar 2 Mavis Staples voice. Eye 💜 it finally found it yessssssss !!!!!!!!!
Blaise Martinez
great song, if you actually listen to what he is singing about it gets better
Will Finlay
As much as I do like it, I'm really hoping the rest of the album takes a less gospel approach and really keeps the more grimy, garage sound that Ben nailed in his debut. Although, this kind of song does compliment the type of strengths he brought to his first album really well.