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.
Love of My Own
Eric Benét Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An image fades from the years
But still I see my love and me together
Her face washed away by the salt of my tears
But I can feel so vivid still the love I felt for her
Someone's lying by me but I'm all alone
Soon she'll have to say good-bye
Somewhere there's a heartbeat of the love of my own
[Chorus]
Take time to play around
Same games it's up and down
Can't wait till I've finally found
A love of my own
Take time to play the field
Take a chance, spin the wheel
Till I find something real
A love of my own
Flash back to the memory,
because the picture's so clear
The love high is so divine, there's nothing better
Heaven is so far away, but she'll bring it right here
And I believe that she can see my
face in her fantasy
No one here beside me she had to go
So I'll start my search again
Someday love will find me, when I don't know
But from that day and there on, in her arms is where I'll be
[Chorus]
The song Love of My Own by Eric Benét is a ballad about a man who is yearning for true love. He begins by describing a memory that is fading, and despite the fact that his past love's face is being washed away by tears, he can still feel the love they once shared. He is with someone else but feels alone because he hasn't found the love of his own yet. His heart beats with a prayer to find that someone special, the love of his own.
In the chorus, he suggests taking time to play around the field, trying different things, and taking chances until he finds a true love of his own. He continues to flash back to the memory of his past love, and it's so clear that it feels like yesterday. He describes the love they shared as "so divine," and he wishes to feel that again in his life. He believes that someday love will find him, and he'll be in the arms of that special someone.
This song expresses the feeling of wanting to find true love and how it can consume a person's thoughts and dreams. It speaks to the many people who have experienced heartbreak and longing, and the desire to find that special connection with someone.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere in my memory
The start of a reverie about a past love
An image fades from the years
The memory is losing its clarity
But still I see my love and me together
The nostalgia of the relationship is strong
Her face washed away by the salt of my tears
The memory is becoming obscured by emotion
But I can feel so vivid still the love I felt for her
Despite the fading memory, the emotions are still as strong
Someone's lying by me but I'm all alone
The singer is physically present with someone but emotionally alone
Soon she'll have to say good-bye
A sign of an ending relationship
Somewhere there's a heartbeat of the love of my own
Hopeful about finding a new love
Everyday my heart beats with a prayer to find her
The hope for a new love is a constant thought
Take time to play around
Advice to enjoy life's experiences
Same games it's up and down
Reminding that life is a mix of ups and downs
Can't wait till I've finally found
Eager to find new love
A love of my own
The desire for a new relationship that is just theirs
Take time to play the field
More advice to enjoy the single life
Take a chance, spin the wheel
Encouraging to try new experiences
Till I find something real
The search for a true love
A love of my own
Reiterating the desire for a new relationship
Flash back to the memory,
Returning to the memory from earlier
because the picture's so clear
Despite earlier fading, the memory is clear again
The love high is so divine, there's nothing better
Reflecting on the joys of the past relationship
Heaven is so far away, but she'll bring it right here
The love they shared made everything better
And I believe that she can see my face in her fantasy
Believing that the past love is reminiscing about them too
No one here beside me she had to go
A reality check of being single again
So I'll start my search again
Resuming the hunt for a new love
Someday love will find me, when I don't know
Belief that their true love is out there somewhere
But from that day and there on, in her arms is where I'll be
Dreaming of being in love again
[Chorus]
The repeated theme of seeking new love
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES JASON POYSER, VICTOR E. COOKE, ERIC BENET JORDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@colettebyfield195
Love how they showed a beautiful simple story of a couple getting married in a simple way and rejoicing over those exciting "first moments". Very very touching!
@russelljohnson2008
Amazing... Why this man is not given the respect due him is beyond me.
@sparx180
+russelljohnson2008 Halle Berry ruined this man's career. She cannot keep a man so it has to be her.
@carebear433
+Chloe wilson it is the proofs in the pudding.my cousin's friend was one of eric's good friends. Says she's nuts foreal.
@thalease10
THIS DUDE CAN SING!
@daksnadaks6499
Of course!
@anthonywilliams5815
You're right he sung the mess out that song !!!!! Wow !!!!
@ricknelson1637
Yesss🙌🏽🙌🏽🥰
@reginawatson5021
My wedding party is going to walk down the aisle to this song when I get married👰🏽♀️💍🤵🏽♂️
@wshelby83
Those who get to experience this type of love are so so blessed man