Benson's next recording was It's Uptown with the George Benson Quartet with Lonnie Smith on organ and Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax. This album showcases Benson's talent in constructing swinging bebop lines at blistering tempos. Benson followed it up with "The George Benson Cookbook," also with Lonnie Smith and Ronnie Cuber.
One of his major hits is the song "This Masquerade", which is included in the top-selling album Breezin' . This album represents a shift to more commercially oriented music which brought Benson a wider audience but alienated some jazz fans. Other singles that have made the Billboard Hot 100 charts include "On Broadway" (1978), "Love Ballad" (1979), "Give Me The Night" (1980) and "Turn Your Love Around" (1982).
Benson continues to play outstanding jazz guitar, as evidenced on recordings such as Jimmy Smith's Off the Top, Benson's own live album Par Excellence, and Tenderly, on which Benson is accompanied by McCoy Tyner on piano.
For his contribution to the recording industry, George Benson has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7055 Hollywood Blvd.
Beyond the Sea
George Benson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where waiting for me
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailing
Somewhere beyond the sea she's there
Watching for me
If I could fly like birds on high then
Straight to her arms
It's far beyond the star, it's near
Beyond the moon
I know beyond a doubt my heart will
Lead me there soon
We'll meet beyond the shore, we'll kiss
Just as before
Happy we'll be beyond the sea and
Never again I'll go sailing
It's far beyond the star-it's near
Beyond the moon
I know beyond a doubt my heart will
Lead me there soon
We'll meet beyond the shore, we'll kiss
Just as before
Happy we will be beyond the sea and
Never again I'll go sailing
And never again I'll go sailing
And never again I'll go sailing
In George Benson's "Beyond the Sea," the lyrics describe a longing for someone who is waiting on the other side of the sea. The singer is captured by the idea of sailing beyond the horizon to reach their lover, who stands on golden sands watching the ships go by. The desire to fly like birds and reach the person quickly is conveyed in the song's lyrics. The stakes are raised with the repeated line, "I know beyond a doubt my heart will lead me there soon," as the singer is confident in their love and ability to reach the other person. This sets up the listener for the eventual reunion on the shore that awaits them.
The themes of separation and reunification are central to "Beyond the Sea." The lyrics suggest that the shores represent the threshold between what is already known and a world of new possibilities. The sea itself symbolizes the vastness and uncertainty of the future. This idea of the journey as the bridge to the other side is what makes the song resonate with so many people.
Overall, "Beyond the Sea" paints a vivid image of a love that is strong enough to cross physical barriers. The desire to reach the other person transcends time and space, reinforcing the idea that true love knows no boundaries.
Line by Line Meaning
Some where beyond the sea, some
There is a place far away over the ocean
Where waiting for me
A place I am destined to go to
My lover stands on golden sands
My beloved is waiting for me on a beautiful shore
And watches the ships that go sailing
Watching the ships go by, looking for my arrival
Somewhere beyond the sea she's there
Over the sea my lover waits for me forevermore
Watching for me
Steadfast in her anticipation of my coming
If I could fly like birds on high then
If I could have wings to carry me
Straight to her arms
I would fly directly into my lover's arms
I'd go sailing
Setting sail to find my love
It's far beyond the star, it's near
The place is far beyond the sky, yet also close by
Beyond the moon
Further than the moon can take me
I know beyond a doubt my heart will
My heart feels confident that I can find her
Lead me there soon
The ocean will guide me until we are together again
We'll meet beyond the shore, we'll kiss
We'll unite on the shore and kiss, like we used to
Just as before
Just like when love was young
Happy we'll be beyond the sea and
We'll find joy in the place beyond the sea
Never again I'll go sailing
Never again will I roam the world without my love
And never again I'll go sailing
This theme is repeated because his wandering days are over
And never again I'll go sailing
My heart is now anchored with my beloved beyond the sea
Lyrics ยฉ RAOUL BRETON EDITIONS
Written by: Albert Lasry, Charles Trenet, Jack Lawrence
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tuxguys
Count Basie had been dead for a year or two when this was recorded, but the band was still touring, and I'd like to think that Benson wanted to close his LP with this track, which was so different from the disco-influenced material on the rest of it, to perhaps tribute him...
...with so many members of the Basie Band (as well as studio giants) on it:
George Benson โ lead vocals, guitar
James Newton Howardย โ synthesizers
Joe Sampleย โ acoustic piano
Freddie Greenย โ rhythm guitar
Earl Mayย โ bass
John Robinsonย โ drums
Frank Wessย โ alto saxophone
Charles Williamsย โ alto saxophone
Robert Eldridge โ baritone saxophone
George Colemanย โ tenor saxophone
Jimmy Heathย โ tenor saxophone
Robin Eubanksย โ trombone
Slide Hamptonย โ trombone
Benny Powellย โ trombone
Dave Taylorย โ trombone
Jon Faddisย โ trumpet
Earl Gardnerย โ trumpet
Joe Newmanย โ trumpet
Lew Soloffย โ trumpet
Felix Vega โ trumpet
Frank Fosterย โ horn arrangements and conductor
Ralph Burnsย โ string arrangements and conductor
(This is the kind of assemblage that makes one gasp, with irony, "My god, couldn't they find anyone who could play?")
I'd also like to think that Benson really got off on being backed up by the ne plus ultra of "time" guitarists, Freddie Green (who's actually heard better here than he is on most Basie tracks).
And, the Count being deceased, who do they get to sit in his chair?
Why the guiding genius behind the (Jazz) Crusaders of course, Joe Sample.
This became for me, immediately upon hearing it, the ultimate rendition of this tune.
John Davis
By far the best version ever. Made it his own but retained respect for the original. Thats hard to do-but Bensen makes it look easy.
Cรดme De Venise
Bravo Monsieur Besson pour cette magnifique reprise que je rรฉรฉcoute avec รฉnormรฉment de plaisir merci pour votre talent ๐
David Chrรฉtien
Patrick ou Luc Besson?
Oscar Escalante
Greatest cover to this date. I haven't heard anything better!
Oscar Escalante
My daughter's love this because of Nemo, lol with Bobby Darin im going to show them this version, amazing !!!!
rosethecopycat
@Oscar Escalante Bobby Darin's version is brutally arranged like an elephant tripping across the room with apologetic string interludes. But Benson's version swings its ass off in the slower groove. Perfect pocket.
Oscar Escalante
@rosethecopycat I love the way you described Bobby Darinโs version lol. I grew up listening to it but I love Bensons cover much better smooth as silk.
BENJY GREENBERG -COMEDY - IMPRESSIONS- NOSTALGIA
Great arrangement and singing.
Mara Loy
Amo de paixรฃo! Ele รฉ perfeito cantando, tocando guitarra enfim, maravilhoso!
manon dessources
Belle interprรฉtation chantรฉe et orchestrรฉe (j'aime ce rythme !)de ce tube de Charles Trenet : La mer bercera mon coeur pour la vie, c'est sรปr!!!!!!!