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).
Pretty Baby
Eric Benét Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby what you searching for
I'm pretty sure that you just don't know 'cause
You're looking with your body, not your head
You're brilliant and beautiful
But they don't see when they take you home 'cause
You're just another notch that's in their bed
Oh, pretty baby (ooh, oh) ooh
Ooh, oh pretty baby
(Why you wanna go and do that baby) ooh, oh
I can feel your emptiness, yeah
I can see it behind those eyes
Just waiting for the one who understands
(Someone who understands)
Though I'm nothing like the rest, oh no
I'm invisible because you're blind (blind, baby)
Jaded and blinded to a chance
To take a chance with me
Ooh, oh pretty baby
Ooh, oh
Ooh, oh pretty baby (oh, you're so beautiful)
Ooh, oh (why you want to go and do that baby)
Don't lie to yourself (no, don't you lie)
Don't let them inside while your heart keeps crying (ooh)
Show love for yourself (love for yourself)
Discover your light where you'll find me
(Your light)
No, baby
Don't lie to yourself (no, don't you lie)
Don't let them inside while your heart keeps crying (I know your heart is crying, baby)
Show love for yourself (show love for yourself)
Discover your light where you'll find me
Ah, whoo pretty baby
Oh baby, why you wanna put yourself back there right that girl
Oh pretty baby, ooh ooh
You make me say ooh ooh ooh pretty baby
Ooh ooh, oh, woah
You make me say (ooh ooh ooh) pretty baby
I love you babe
Such a lovely lady (baby)
Why you wanna put yourself back there right that girl
You're gonna miss the chance
Happened there
Tenderness
Don't miss your opportunity
Show me the self-esteem, bae
Pretty thing
A pretty girl, yeah, oh don't you, do not to yourself, baby, no, no, yeah
The song "Pretty Baby" by Eric Benét is about a woman who is looking for love and validation in all the wrong places. The singer, who is interested in her, tells her that she is beautiful and brilliant and deserves more than to be just another notch in someone's bedpost. The woman is blind to the singer's affection, however, and continues to look for love in all the wrong places. The singer encourages her to love herself and to discover her own light and self-esteem, where she will find him waiting for her.
The song speaks to the common human experience of searching for love and validation in all the wrong places. The woman in the song is not happy in her current situation, but she continues to look outward for the answers she seeks, rather than looking inward. The singer offers her a new perspective and encourages her to show love for herself, and to be true to her own needs and desires.
Overall, "Pretty Baby" is a poignant song about love, redemption, and finding oneself. The message that the singer sends to the woman is a universal one that can apply to anyone who has ever felt lost or misplaced in their own life. The song encourages self-love and self-discovery, and is a reminder that we all have the power to change our lives for the better, if we are willing to look within ourselves and take a chance.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, pretty baby, ooh, ooh yeah yeah
The singer is admiring the beauty of the person they are addressing.
Baby what you searching for
The singer is asking the person what they are looking for in life.
I'm pretty sure that you just don't know 'cause
The singer thinks that the person does not know what they are searching for.
You're looking with your body, not your head
The artist thinks that the person is focusing on their physical appearance rather than their intellect or personality.
You're brilliant and beautiful
The artist thinks that the person is both intelligent and attractive.
But they don't see when they take you home 'cause
When people take the person home, they don't appreciate the person's intellect or personality.
You're just another notch that's in their bed
The singer suggests that the people that the person goes home with only see them as another sexual conquest.
I can feel your emptiness, yeah
The artist can sense that the person is not fulfilled.
I can see it behind those eyes
The artist thinks they can tell that the person is unfulfilled by looking into their eyes.
Just waiting for the one who understands
The person is waiting for someone to truly understand them.
Though I'm nothing like the rest, oh no
The singer thinks that they are different from the other people that the person has encountered.
I'm invisible because you're blind (blind, baby)
The artist thinks that the person cannot see that they are different from others because they are blinded by societal norms.
Jaded and blinded to a chance
The person is pessimistic and unable to see the opportunity right in front of them.
To take a chance with me
The singer is offering the person an opportunity to be with them.
Don't lie to yourself (no, don't you lie)
The singer is urging the person to be honest with themselves.
Don't let them inside while your heart keeps crying (ooh)
The artist warns the person not to let people into their life if they are feeling emotional pain.
Show love for yourself (love for yourself)
The artist advises the person to love themselves.
Discover your light where you'll find me (Your light)
The singer suggests that the person will find happiness with them.
Ah, whoo pretty baby
The singer is once again admiring the person's beauty.
Oh baby, why you wanna put yourself back there right that girl
The artist is asking the person why they want to return to a dysfunctional or negative situation.
You're gonna miss the chance
The artist thinks that the person will miss out on the opportunity to be with them.
Happened there
It is unclear what this line means, but it could be an incomplete thought or an error in the lyrics.
Tenderness
It is unclear what this line means, but it could suggest that the person is seeking affection or love.
Don't miss your opportunity
The artist implores the person not to miss their chance to be with them.
Show me the self-esteem, bae
The singer is asking the person to show confidence in themselves.
Pretty thing
The singer is once again admiring the person's physical appearance.
A pretty girl, yeah, oh don't you, do not to yourself, baby, no, no, yeah
The singer is urging the person not to lie to themselves and to believe in their own worth.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Demonte Posey, Eric Benet, Jr., George Nash, ERIC BENET JORDAN, GEORGE T. JR. NASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind