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.
People Get Ready
George Benson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you better get ready to get on the boat
people get ready to get on the boat
In George Benson's song "People Get Ready," he is urging people to prepare themselves for the journey ahead. The boat is a symbolic representation of the journey of life, and Benson is telling his listeners to get ready to embark on this journey. The repetition of "I believe" and "you better get ready" reinforces the importance of being prepared for what's to come.
The song also has a deeper meaning, one that is rooted in the civil rights movement. The boat represents the journey towards equality and justice, and Benson is urging people to prepare themselves for the fight ahead. The line "there's a train a-coming, don't need no ticket" represents the idea that everyone has the right to be a part of this journey towards equality, and that no one should be excluded based on race, religion, or any other factor.
Overall, "People Get Ready" is a call to action - a reminder that we all have a role to play in the journey towards a better world. It is a message of hope and of unity, reminding us that we are all in this together.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe I do believe
I am confident and have faith in what I believe
you better get ready to get on the boat
You should prepare yourself to embark on an important journey or opportunity
people get ready to get on the boat
Everyone should be ready and prepared to take advantage of the upcoming venture or mission
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Curtis Mayfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind