Benét's father loved classical music and inspired an interest in music in his son. By his teens, Eric had formed a vocal group with his sister and cousin called "Benét." The group released a self-titled album in 1992 that sold 70,000 copies.
Also in 1992, Benét's girlfriend, Tami Stauff, gave birth to a daughter they named India. The couple's happiness was short-lived when 25-year old Tami was killed in a car accident on April 24, 1993.
In 1994, Benét signed with Warner Bros. Records, releasing his solo debut album, True to Myself, in fall (1996). 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.
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 in Glitter (2001).
Be Myself Again
Eric Benét Lyrics
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I lost my rhythm, I forgot my style
Too complicated for this simple man
But now I understand
Like a circle peg in a square hole
I tried to push it but it wouldn't go
It didn't kill me so my strength increased
And now I finally see
I found a love that was gone deep inside of me
I found a man who was lost and I set him free
I thought that the pain was never gonna end
But now I can be myself again
I had the best the world could offer for sho'
But peace of mind is much more precious than gold
I was in place where truth was hard to find
But it's all revealed in time
Stick out my chest and hold my head up high
Forgot how it felt to feel so good inside
A fool would gain the world just to lose himself
Now I'm gonna be true to no one else
I gotta light in my eyes for the world to see
Thank God the music's back inside of me
It was a long hard road to be a better man
But now I can be myself again
I feel the roll of thunder in my bones
I hold my head up high everywhere that I go
And the gift of life I truly understand
'Cause I can be myself again
No there ain't no wound that love can't heal for sho'
And if you lose yourself the Lord will guide you home
This I know
Well I found a joy and serenity
Won't let nobody tell me something's wrong with me
Gotta big love inside and I'm 'mo set it free
And be myself again
I found a love that was gone deep inside of me
I found a man who was lost and I set him free
I thought that the pain was never gonna end
But now I can be myself again
I feel the roll of thunder in my bones
I hold my head up high everywhere that I go
And the gift of life I truly understand
And I can be myself again
I said I can be myself again
I know I can be myself again
I can be myself again
The lyrics to Eric Benét's "Be Myself Again" describe the journey of someone who has lost their sense of self and is trying to find their way back to who they truly are. The singer has been "away too long awhile" and has "lost [their] rhythm, forgot [their] style". In attempting to fit in with society and be "complicated", they feel like a "circle peg in a square hole". However, the struggle to fit in has made them stronger and more self-aware. They have realized that true happiness and peace of mind cannot be found in material possessions or trying to be someone they're not.
The singer has also found love within themselves and with another person. They have "found a love that was gone deep inside of [them]" and have "found a man who was lost and [they] set him free". They have overcome pain and are now able to "be [themself] again". The singer is proud of who they are and will "be true to no one else", holding their "head up high everywhere that [they] go". They now understand the gift of life and feel the power of thunder within themselves. They have rekindled their love for music and have a "big love inside" that they will "set free".
Line by Line Meaning
I've been away too long awhile
I've been gone for a long time
I lost my rhythm, I forgot my style
I lost my passion and creativity
Too complicated for this simple man
I felt overwhelmed by life's complexities
But now I understand
But now I have clarity
Like a circle peg in a square hole
Like something that doesn't fit in its surroundings
I tried to push it but it wouldn't go
I tried to force it, but it didn't work
It didn't kill me so my strength increased
It didn't defeat me, so I became stronger
And now I finally see
And now I have insight
I found a love that was gone deep inside of me
I discovered a love that I had lost within myself
I found a man who was lost and I set him free
I found and helped a part of myself that was lost
I thought that the pain was never gonna end
I believed that the suffering would continue indefinitely
But now I can be myself again
But now I can regain my true self
I had the best the world could offer for sho'
I had everything the world could offer
But peace of mind is much more precious than gold
But inner peace is more valuable than material wealth
I was in place where truth was hard to find
I was in a situation where honesty was rare
But it's all revealed in time
But eventually, everything becomes clear
Stick out my chest and hold my head up high
I stand tall and confident
Forgot how it felt to feel so good inside
I had forgotten the feeling of feeling good about myself
A fool would gain the world just to lose himself
It's foolish to pursue worldly success at the cost of one's own identity
Now I'm gonna be true to no one else
Now I will be true to myself only
I gotta light in my eyes for the world to see
I have a fire and passion that is visible to the world
Thank God the music's back inside of me
I'm grateful to have my passion for music back
It was a long hard road to be a better man
It was a difficult journey to better myself
But now I can be myself again
But now I can regain my true self
I feel the roll of thunder in my bones
I feel powerful and energized
I hold my head up high everywhere that I go
I am confident and proud wherever I am
And the gift of life I truly understand
And I fully appreciate the value of life
'Cause I can be myself again
Because I have regained my true self
No there ain't no wound that love can't heal for sho'
Love can heal all wounds
And if you lose yourself the Lord will guide you home
If you become lost, God will help you find your way
This I know
This I am certain of
Well I found a joy and serenity
I have found happiness and peace
Won't let nobody tell me something's wrong with me
I won't let anyone make me doubt myself
Gotta big love inside and I'm 'mo set it free
I have a lot of love inside that I'm going to express
And be myself again
And regain my true self
I said I can be myself again
I can regain my true self
I know I can be myself again
I am confident that I can regain my true self
I can be myself again
I can regain my true self
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERIC BENET, HOD DAVID, ANDREW WYATT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind