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).
Harriett Jones
Eric Benét Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me please come home
Please girl
I was a fool, that’s plain to see
'Cause I had it all when you were with me
One little trip that brought my fall
And one little girl that started it all
When you were away I felt so all alone
I guess I was weak when I should’ve been strong
I got no right to be here on my knees
But my sweet Harriett Jones, still I’m beggin’ you please
Swing low, swing low, sweet Harriett
Baby won’t you let me come home
Swing low, swing low, sweet Harriett
Baby won’t you let me come home
See I was doin’ so good with this monogamy
But see these pretty young girls, they won’t let me be
Since losing your love, I’m such a bitter man
And if you let me come home, I swear you’ll understand
Right now, I spend all my nights sittin’ here alone
Just drinkin’ this wine, missing our happy home
To break it all down, I guess I’m tryin’ to say
Some people must lose it all till they appreciate
Swing low, swing low, sweet Harriett
Baby won’t you let me come home
Swing low, swing low, sweet Harriett
Baby won’t you let me come home
Swing low, swing low, sweet Harriett
Baby won’t you let me come home
Swing low, swing low, sweet Harriett
Baby won’t you let me come home
You’re the love of my life
Been through so much together
Girl don’t you know that you’re my best friend
Give my love another try
‘Cause don’t you know the stormy weather
Can bring a brighter love in the end
Just let me come home
Let me come home baby
My Harriett Jones
Ooh let me come home girl, please
Pretty pretty girls all over me
Pretty pretty girls won’t let me be
Pretty pretty girls all over me
Pretty pretty girls won’t let me be
Swing low, swing low, sweet Harriett
Baby I just wanna come home
Swing low, swing low, sweet Harriett
My baby, don’t you know I’m trying to come home
Pretty pretty girls all over me
Pretty pretty girls won’t let me be
Swing low, sweet Harriett
Pretty pretty girls won’t let me be
Pretty pretty girls all over me
Pretty pretty girls won’t let me be
Swing low, sweet Harriett
Pretty pretty girls won’t let me be
Swing it all back to me
The song "Harriett Jones" by Eric Benét is a plea from a man who has lost everything he once had, including the love of his life. He begins by addressing his ex-girlfriend, Harriett Jones, and asking for her to listen, as he asks to come home. He acknowledges that he was a fool for letting her go and that he had everything he needed when he was with her. He admits that one little mistake caused his downfall and that it all started with one little girl. While she was away, he was weak and made mistakes. He acknowledges that he has no right to be on his knees begging for her, but he continues to plead with her to let him come home.
The chorus of the song, "Swing low, swing low, sweet Harriett, baby won't you let me come home," shows the desperation the man feels in trying to get Harriett to forgive him and take him back. He tells Harriett that he was doing well with monogamy, but pretty young girls kept coming after him and he couldn't resist. He admits that losing her love has made him bitter, and he promises that if she lets him come home, she will understand. He spends his nights alone, drinking wine, and missing their happy home. He concludes that some people must lose it all to appreciate what they had.
Overall, the song is a heart-wrenching plea for forgiveness and a desire to return to a life of love and happiness. It touches on the idea that some people need to lose everything to realize what they had and that sometimes, stormy weather can bring a brighter love in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Would you listen Ms. Jones?
I am pleading with you to listen to what I have to say, Harriett Jones.
Let me please come home
I am asking for your forgiveness and hoping that you will allow me to come back home, Harriett.
I was a fool, that’s plain to see
I can now see that my past actions were foolish and I regret them deeply.
'Cause I had it all when you were with me
I had everything I needed and wanted when we were together, Harriett.
One little trip that brought my fall
One careless mistake led to my downfall and separation from you, Harriett.
And one little girl that started it all
It was a girl who caused my mistake and ultimately the loss of your trust, Harriett.
When you were away I felt so all alone
I was filled with loneliness and regret when you were not by my side, Harriett.
I guess I was weak when I should’ve been strong
In my moment of temptation, my willpower was too weak to resist, Harriett.
I got no right to be here on my knees
I understand that I have no right to ask for your forgiveness and mercy, Harriett.
But my sweet Harriett Jones, still I’m beggin’ you please
Despite my lack of entitlement, I am still begging for your forgiveness and hoping for a chance to make it right, Harriett.
Swing low, swing low, sweet Harriett
I am calling out to you, hoping that you will hear my plea, Harriett.
Baby won’t you let me come home
I am asking you to open your heart and allow me to return to our home, Harriett.
See I was doin’ so good with this monogamy
I had been doing well in staying faithful to you, Harriett.
But see these pretty young girls, they won’t let me be
However, these attractive young girls keep tempting me and making it difficult for me to stay committed, Harriett.
Since losing your love, I’m such a bitter man
Ever since losing you, my life has been filled with bitterness and regret, Harriett.
And if you let me come home, I swear you’ll understand
If you give me another chance and allow me to return, I will make it right and you will see my true intentions, Harriett.
Right now, I spend all my nights sittin’ here alone
Currently, I spend every night alone with my thoughts, feeling the weight of my mistake and missing our life together, Harriett.
Just drinkin’ this wine, missing our happy home
I drown my sorrows with alcohol and long for the happiness we had in our home, Harriett.
To break it all down, I guess I’m tryin’ to say
To put it simply, what I am trying to say is, Harriett...
Some people must lose it all till they appreciate
Sometimes people need to lose everything before they can truly appreciate what they had, and I am one of them, Harriett.
You’re the love of my life
I want you to know that you are and always will be the love of my life, Harriett.
Been through so much together
We have been through so much together, Harriett.
Girl don’t you know that you’re my best friend
You are not just my partner, but also my best friend, Harriett.
Give my love another try
I am asking you to give my love another chance, Harriett.
‘Cause don’t you know the stormy weather can bring a brighter love in the end
Because you know that sometimes, through the hardships, love can come out stronger and brighter, Harriett.
Let me come home
Please allow me to come back home and make it right, Harriett.
My Harriett Jones
The one and only Harriett Jones, my love and partner.
Ooh let me come home girl, please
I am desperately asking for your forgiveness and allowing me to come back home, Harriett.
Pretty pretty girls all over me
Despite my intentions to stay committed, I am constantly being tempted by attractive women, Harriett.
Pretty pretty girls won’t let me be
Unfortunately, these girls make it difficult for me to stay true to you, Harriett.
Baby I just wanna come home
I just want to come back home to you, Harriett.
My baby, don’t you know I’m trying to come home
Please know that I am trying my best to come back to you, my love, Harriett.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERIC BENET JORDAN, GEORGE T. JR. NASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vickiearmour3680
Ngl this sounds better on the radio than YouTube😑😐😑😐
@Shaun1gza
Who says that R&B is dead, this is a really good produced song. Need more like this out instead of the same 10-12 garbage songs played 20 times a day on radio
@TrueWisdomD33
He's showing the women who tempt him as he tries to fight away from them. It explains the mistakes he made. It's simple.
@desirealong5638
Hair goals 😍😂
@terryabrams604
Still listening in 2019...this song makes me want to DANCE
@Lioness_Es
We cry of not having any real music, but why is there barely 40,000 hits on this--Come On!
@buddahzmama
Damn, Eric B. is fine! He can come on home to me anytime, with that silky-ass voice!
@sassyjazzy126ify
R.I.P Stephanie Moseley❤
@LisaDeWitt
the dancers were outstanding!
@jokinglyserious1
the background singers sound very good.