His music is typically labeled as power pop, though he doesn't completely agree. His major musical influences include The Cars, David Bowie, Electric Light Orchestra, Elvis Costello, The Kinks, Robyn Hitchcock, Paul McCartney, and Todd Rundgren.
His debut album, One Mississippi, was released in 1996 on Virgin Records. The album featured several contributions with Jason Falkner and gained many favourable reviews in the music press but failed to sell in sufficient numbers and Benson was dropped by Virgin.
It would be another six years until Benson issued the follow-up, Lapalco. Again the critical plaudits poured in but this time the record enjoyed a certain degree of commercial success.
While touring this record Benson played the Reading and Leeds Festivals and finished his Leeds set with a performance of the track "Jet Lag" featuring guest appearances from Meg White of The White Stripes along with members of The Datsuns and Soledad Brothers.
In 2003 Benson re-released his debut album along with bonus tracks including the unreleased six track extended player, Welfed Boy EP, featuring songs from a demo session with Falkner.
Also in 2003, Benson released an EP, Metarie, with his then band, The Wellfed Boys. The EP featured a cover of Paul McCartney's "Let Me Roll It". This was the first song written completely by another artist to be featured on a Benson release. Another cover, this time "Strong Boy", from Gram Parsons International Submarine Band's 1968 album, Safe at Home, was released as a b-side in 2005.
In 2005, Benson released his third album, The Alternative to Love, and toured extensively in the US, UK and Europe with his new touring band, The Stiff Tissues.
Benson is also a member of The Raconteurs, a collaboration with Jack White of The White Stripes and two members of The Greenhornes, Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler. The group's debut album, Broken Boy Soldiers, was released in the US on May 16th, 2006, with "Steady, As She Goes" the first single.
Brendan currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
He has also worked as a producer for The Greenhornes, The Nice Device, The Mood Elevator (a permutation of The Welfed Boys), and Stiff Tissues member Dean Fertita's former band, The Waxwings.
In 2008, his song "What I'm Looking For" was used in an Apple iPod Touch television ad, propelling sales of that particular song on iTunes and other online music retailers.
Benson's fourth full-length record, My Old, Familiar Friend, was released on August 18, 2009. This was followed by What Kind of World (2012), and You Were Right (2013).
The Pledge
Brendan Benson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's nothing I wouldn't do or I wouldn't say
I hate to think where I'd be without you
Do you know how I feel about you?
Do you?
I didn't sign up for anything like this
I always wind up screwed without a kiss
And every single minute that goes by
Oh nay, hey
Okay, hey
I wouldn't have it any other way
And I promise to always love you
And never put anybody else above you
Well I'm hopelessly dedicated
And somehow it's still understated
I'm sure I was born to love you
I'm so lucky, I really don't deserve you
It was my one and only ambition
I made it my life long mission
I never thought it could be as good as this
I finally found a new sense of purpose
And every single second that goes by
I think of yet another reason why
Oh nay, hey
Okay, hey
I don't want it any other way
I never signed up for anything like this
I always wind up screwed without a kiss
And every single minute that goes by
I'm getting deeper in it all the time
Oh nay, hey
Okay, hey
I wouldn't have it any other way
I don't want it any other way
I wouldn't have it any other way
I don't want it any other way
In Brendan Benson's song "The Pledge," the singer pledges his loyalty and dedication to his loved one. He says that there is nothing he wouldn't do or say for them and that he hates to think where he'd be without them. He is hopelessly dedicated to this person and promises to always love them, never putting anyone else above them. It's clear that he's found a new sense of purpose and every passing moment makes him realize more reasons why he loves his partner.
However, there is a sense of fear in these lyrics as well. The singer didn't sign up for anything like this and always ends up feeling screwed without a kiss. Despite these fears, he wouldn't have it any other way and doesn't want anything else. These lyrics showcase the complexities of love and the fear of vulnerability that comes with it. The singer is ready to give his all to his partner, but he's also scared of the potential consequences.
Overall, the song is a powerful declaration of love and loyalty. The lyrics are simple yet impactful, and Benson's vocals add a raw emotion to the song. It's a great representation of what it means to be in love and the potential risks and rewards that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'll be loyal to you in every way
I am promising to be committed and devoted to you in every aspect of our relationship.
There's nothing I wouldn't do or I wouldn't say
I am willing to do anything and say anything to make you happy and keep our relationship strong.
I hate to think where I'd be without you
I cannot imagine my life without you and I am grateful for your presence in my life.
Do you know how I feel about you?
I want to make sure that you understand the depth of my feelings for you.
I didn't sign up for anything like this
I did not expect to be in a relationship this fulfilling and meaningful.
I always wind up screwed without a kiss
I have been disappointed in past relationships, but with you, I am happy and fulfilled.
And every single minute that goes by
As time passes, my love for you only grows stronger.
I'm getting deeper in it all the time
I am becoming more emotionally invested in our relationship with each passing moment.
Okay, hey
An interjection indicating agreement.
Oh nay, hey
An interjection indicating excitement or enthusiasm.
I wouldn't have it any other way
I am truly happy with our relationship and wouldn't want it any other way.
And I promise to always love you
I am making a commitment to love you unconditionally for as long as we are together.
And never put anybody else above you
You will always be my top priority and I will never prioritize anyone else over you.
Well I'm hopelessly dedicated
I am completely devoted to you and our relationship.
And somehow it's still understated
I feel like my love for you exceeds what I can express in words.
I'm sure I was born to love you
I believe that fate brought us together and that I am meant to love and cherish you.
I'm so lucky, I really don't deserve you
I feel fortunate to have you in my life and sometimes feel like I am not worthy of your love and affection.
It was my one and only ambition
My goal in life was to find someone like you to share my life with.
I made it my life long mission
I have dedicated myself to our relationship and making it work for the rest of my life.
I never thought it could be as good as this
I never imagined that a relationship could bring me as much happiness and fulfillment as ours has.
I finally found a new sense of purpose
You have given me a new outlook on life and brought purpose and meaning to my days.
And every single second that goes by
My love for you continues to grow stronger with each passing second.
I think of yet another reason why
You continue to amaze and impress me and I am constantly finding new reasons to love you.
I don't want it any other way
I am completely content with our relationship and would never want it to be any different.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRENDAN BENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind