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.
You're The Only One
Eric Benét Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And all the ways you were broken hearted
Take a trip everyday in my mind
I see your face I recall it few word
Its playing back like a broken record
I remember every tear in your eye
I'd walk back in time
(I will write every wrong)
Oh, I would change every line
(and you'll be here right now)
Just like yesterday
(But you'd feel no more doubts)
When you hear me say
You're the only one I want (you're the only one, yeah)
You're the only one I need in my life (in my life, baby)
You're the only one I love (I love, love, love)
You're the only one I need in my life
I see the world through a haze of memories
And then the girls don't mean a damn thing to me
It's kinda sad how they just don't compare
(Time will tell, let's wait and see)
(If our love we had was meant to be)
Cause I know we got a future out there
(Cause you're still my girl)
I don't care what they say
(Let's go back to our world)
Baby don't you throw this love away
(Cause I still believe)
In the magic of us
(This is the matter of time)
And it's a matter of trial
You're the only one I want (you're the only one, yeah)
You're the only one I need in my life (in my life, baby)
You're the only one I love (I love, love, love)
You're the only one I need in my life
Now girl it took sometime to get real with myself
Now love ain't easy sometimes
But if you find it we'll stay together
You're the only one I want (you're the only one, yeah)
You're the only one I need in my life (in my life, baby)
You're the only one I love (I love, love, love)
You're the only one I need in my life
The lyrics of Eric Benét's "You're the only one" explore the fallout of a past relationship and the desire to mend the brokenness that caused the separation. In the opening lines, the singer goes back to the day they parted and reminisces on how heartbroken his partner was. He admits to replaying memories of her in his head every day, and the things he remembers include the few words she said and the tears in her eyes. The chorus repeatedly affirms that she is the only one he wants, needs, and loves in his life.
The second verse finds the singer comparing his memories of his ex-girlfriend with the girls he has met since their breakup. He realizes that none of them can compare to her, suggesting that he may have a distorted perception of love due to the strong connection he had with her. The bridge implies that time and fate will determine if their love was meant to be and that he is willing to work toward a future with her despite what others may say. The final chorus restates the singer's desire to rekindle their love and stay together.
Overall, the lyrics of "You're the only one" express the pain of lost love and the hope for a future where the couple can be reunited. The singer acknowledges that love is not always easy, but he believes that if they find it again, they can stay together.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going back to the day we parted
Reflecting on the time we separated
And all the ways you were broken hearted
Remembering how your heart was shattered
Take a trip everyday in my mind
Daily reminiscing my thoughts
I see your face I recall it few word
Your image and words play back like a record
Its playing back like a broken record
Replaying on repeat like a damaged disc
I remember every tear in your eye
Recalling every teardrop you've cried
(If I do what I know)
If I do what I ought to
I'd walk back in time
I would time travel to the past
(I will write every wrong)
Fix all the mistakes
Oh, I would change every line
I would make every alteration
(and you'll be here right now)
Then you'd be present right now
Just like yesterday
As if it were yesterday
(But you'd feel no more doubts)
You wouldn't be doubtful anymore
When you hear me say
As I tell you that
You're the only one I want (you're the only one, yeah)
You're the only person I yearn for
You're the only one I need in my life (in my life, baby)
You're the only person I require in my life
You're the only one I love (I love, love, love)
You're the only person I'm in love with
You're the only one I need in my life
You're the only person I need in my life
I see the world through a haze of memories
I view the world through a mist of recollections
And then the girls don't mean a damn thing to me
And then other women are unimportant to me
It's kinda sad how they just don't compare
It's disheartening how they don't measure up
(Time will tell, let's wait and see)
(Let's wait to see if time reveals)
(If our love we had was meant to be)
(If our love was preordained)
Cause I know we got a future out there
Because I believe we have a future together
(Cause you're still my girl)
(Because you're still my woman)
I don't care what they say
I don't care about their opinions
(Let's go back to our world)
(Let's return to our universe)
Baby don't you throw this love away
Please don't abandon this love
(Cause I still believe)
(Because I'm still convinced)
In the magic of us
In the mystery of our relationship
(This is the matter of time)
(It's just a matter of time)
And it's a matter of trial
And it's merely a matter of attempting
Now girl it took sometime to get real with myself
Now it took me a while to be truthful with myself
Now love ain't easy sometimes
Now love can be difficult at times
But if you find it we'll stay together
But if you discover it, we'll remain united
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DEMONTE POSEY, ERIC BENET, GEORGE TYREE JR. NASH
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