Benét's father loved rap music and inspired an interest in music in his son. He sang with a Top 100-style group called Gerard in the late 1980s, and then Benét, his sister, Lisa, and his cousin, George Nash Jr., formed a band called Benét and released a self-titled album in 1992 but only sold 100,000 copies.
Benét's career-building, however, was interrupted by a series of personal tragedies. His father died of cancer, and his girlfriend, Tami Marie Stauff, the mother of Benét's daughter, India, born in 1992, died of injuries suffered in an automobile crash (April 24, 1993) after languishing in a coma for five days. Benét endured a long period of personal and creative depression, often feeling that only his responsibilities as a father kept him going. He took a job with United Parcel Service in Milwaukee and eased back into music by producing demo recordings for local artists.
In 1994, Benét signed with Warner Bros. Records, releasing his solo debut album, True to Myself, in fall (1996). Individual songs from the album were successful, including the top-ten R&B hit "Spiritual Thang" and "Let's Stay Together," which appeared on the soundtrack of the film A Thin Line Between Love and Hate.
His next album, A Day in the Life, was released in 1999; its first single, "Georgy Porgy (featuring Faith Evans)" received significant airplay, but the second single, "Spend My Life With You (featuring Tamia)", became a smash hit. "Spend My Life With You" rose to number one on the American R&B charts, was certified gold, and nominated for a 2000 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group. The album, A Day In The Life also won a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album, Male.
Benét also recorded for Earth, Wind, and Fire's 30th anniversary CD. He contributed vocals to the post-Katrina charity single, "Heart of America" along with Michael McDonald, Wynonna Judd, and Terry Dexter. He has also lent his vocals to many jazz albums for such artists as Wayman Tisdale, George Duke, Chris Botti, Jeff Lorber, Boney James, etc.
Benét has also been active as an actor; he had a recurring role on the television program For Your Love (1998 - 2002). He made his film debut alongside Mariah Carey in Glitter (2001). He has a recurring role on the MTV scripted show "Kaya" (2007) where he plays a music producer.
His Love & Life was released on September 9, 2008. The first single You're The Only One is currently rising on the r&b charts (having already hit No.1 on the Adult R&B Airplay chart (Billboard)). It is his first top twenty hit in 2 years.
Lamentation
Eric Benét Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He did me wrong
He put a gun up to my face
My money's gone
I said please don't be that way
I'm just trying to make it through the day
He said you better not come 'round
[Chorus]
Whoa ooh
Love is crying (whoa oh)
Love is dying (whoa oh)
Love is crying (whoa oh)
Um
I saw my sister, she did me wrong
I had a smile up on my face
But hers were so cold
I said sister please don't go
I'm just trying to say hello
She said you better not come 'round me
Before too long and I said
[Chorus]
Can you hear the cries from heaven up above
Looking down upon this world of dying love
Open up your heart hurry don't delay
Before the chance to save
the world is gone away
I asked my father, Lord what's wrong
Through his tears I heard him say
Child be strong
'Cause the world I'm trying to save
Done turned me away
But they better come 'round
my way before too long
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Eric Benét's song "Lamentation" describe the pain and disappointment the singer feels from being betrayed by his own family members. The song begins with him encountering his brother, who puts a gun up to his face and steals his money. Despite pleading with him, his brother tells him not to come around again. The chorus comes in, with the repeated phrase "love is crying, love is dying," which seems to refer to the broken relationships within the family.
Next, the singer talks about his sister, who he tries to greet with a smile, but she rejects him with coldness. Again, he pleads with her, but she tells him not to come around. The chorus repeats. The final verse has the singer questioning why the world is in such a state of dying love, and asks listeners to open their hearts before it's too late. He then turns to his father, asking him what's wrong, only to hear that the world has turned his father away. Despite this, his father says they will come around his way before too long. This final line gives some hope that the family relationships will one day be healed.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the difficulties of maintaining relationships in a world that can be cruel and unforgiving. It shows the sadness and pain caused by family members who betray and reject each other, while also hinting at the possibility of redemption and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw my brother
Eric observed his sibling
He did me wrong
His brother acted immorally towards Eric
He put a gun up to my face
His brother threatened Eric with a firearm
My money's gone
Eric's money was stolen
I said please don't be that way
Eric pleaded for his brother to change his behavior
I'm just trying to make it through the day
Eric is simply trying to survive
He said you better not come 'round me before too long
His brother threatened Eric to stay away
Whoa ooh Love is crying (whoa oh) Love is dying (whoa oh) Love is crying (whoa oh)
Love is weeping and perishing
I saw my sister, she did me wrong
Eric witnessed his sister treat him unjustly
I had a smile up on my face
Eric pretended to be happy
But hers were so cold
His sister's expression lacked warmth
I said sister please don't go
Eric asked his sister not to leave
I'm just trying to say hello
Eric attempted to engage in friendly conversation
She said you better not come 'round me Before too long
His sister warned Eric to stay away
Can you hear the cries from heaven up above
Eric asks if the listener can hear celestial sorrow
Looking down upon this world of dying love
Heaven is observing the world's dying love
Open up your heart hurry don't delay
Eric implores the listener to open their heart quickly
Before the chance to save the world is gone away
If action isn't taken now, the opportunity to rescue the world may disappear
I asked my father, Lord what's wrong
Eric inquired of his father what was troubling him
Through his tears I heard him say
His father spoke while crying
Child be strong
His father encouraged Eric to be resolute
Cause the world I'm trying to save
His father endeavors to rescue the world
Done turned me away
The world rejected his father's aid
But they better come 'round my way before too long
Eric's father expects the world to come back to him eventually
Whoa ooh Love is crying (whoa oh) Love is dying (whoa oh) Love is crying (whoa oh)
Love is weeping and perishing
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALI SHAHEED JONES-MUHAMMAD, CHALMERS E. ALFORD, ERIC BENET, PUTTY TAT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind