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.
Nature Boy
George Benson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Very strange
Enchanted boy;
They say be wander'd very far
Very far over land and sea.
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise
Very wise was be.
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me:
The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return,to be loved in return.
And then one day
a magic day he passed my way, and while we spoke of many things, fools and kings, this he said to me: "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." These lyrics from George Benson's song Nature Boy describe a boy who was very strange and enchanted, and who had traveled very far over land and sea. Despite being shy and sad of eye, the boy was very wise. One day, the singer of the song had a magical encounter with the boy, and they spoke about many things. During their conversation, the boy imparted some timeless wisdom: that the greatest thing a person can learn is to love and be loved in return.
The message of the song is both simple and profound. Love is the most important thing in life, and we should all strive to love and be loved in return. The song is a reminder that no matter what obstacles we face, no matter how strange or enchanted we may be, we all have the capacity to love and be loved. The lyrics speak to the universal human experience of seeking connection and meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a boy
Once there was a boy
Very strange
He was peculiar
Enchanted boy;
This boy was magical
They say be wander'd very far
Rumor has it that he traveled extensively
Very far over land and sea.
He went far and wide
A little shy and sad of eye
He was slightly timid and had sorrowful eyes
But very wise
Yet, he was remarkably intelligent
Very wise was be.
This great wisdom was a part of him
And then one day
On a particular day, he came across me
A magic day he passed my way
That day was extraordinary when he encountered me
And while we spoke of many things
When we conversed about various topics
Fools and kings
From foolishness to royalty
This he said to me:
He told me these wise words
The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return,to be loved in return.
The most valuable lesson anyone can learn is to give love and receive it in return
Lyrics © GOLDEN WORLD
Written by: Eden Ahbez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@liliancorley5207
This song was my husband favorite song, he could play it in the drums, today is his first anniversary of his passing. In his memorial I played and I played all the songs he loved.
@Ben-yu7cf
I love that line. "The greatest thing you could ever learn is to love and be loved in return"
@gloriayamato5426
To think this man ever had any doubts about his singing voice. I was a teenager, woke to this voice, jumped out of bed and made my way to the record store, waaay back when. Blessed and grateful for days like that LOL
@anthonycampbell5812
Nobody sings nature boy like George Benson !!!
@donaldelley2802
Except Nat King Cole who was ten times better.
@plumeetpixels7062
@Donald Elley I was about to say something like this. The original tune by Nat King Cole gives me goosebumps every time. But still, George, as a singer AND genius guitarist, made something great. Plus, I would quote the name of Hugh Coltman too !
@fernando456563
I desagree Nat King Cole is the man, Benson is good as well.
@mayrafuenmayor3602
Grorge Benson❤
@loonaya
@Donald ElleySingers Unlimited version might be my favourite.
@rustyxx7313
Am 53 years old ..listen to this song since i was 15...