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.
The Ghetto
George Benson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking at the sky, starry-eyed
Searchin' for the place, weary-eyed
Crying in the night, teary-eyed
Don't you know that it's true
That for me and for you
The world is a ghetto
Don't you know that it's true
That for me and for you
The world is a ghetto
The song "The World Is a Ghetto" by George Benson is a powerful commentary on the state of the world we live in. The opening lines talk about the singer wandering down a street, looking up at the sky with "starry-eyed" wonder, but also being weighed down by the pollution and smog, causing "smoggy-eyed" discomfort. The lines suggest the beautiful sky above is unreachable, just as the world's problems are beyond reach.
The singer is searching for something, and is "weary-eyed" in the process, implying a sense of exhaustion and frustration with the search. This triumphs into a moment of powerlessness where the singer cries in the night with "teary-eyes". The repetition of the word 'eyes' suggests that the singer is conscious of their surroundings and understands that the world is not a pretty place, hence creating an experience of stress on their mental and physical health.
The refrain "The world is a ghetto" is a powerful statement and likely the reason the song has endured as a classic for over 45 years. It speaks to the fact that no matter where we go, there are problems to be faced - violence, poverty, racism, environmental degradation, and more. No matter how beautiful or wealthy a place may seem, there are always underlying issues that exist. The song emphasizes that we are all in this together and need to work together to make the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
Walkin' down the street, smoggy-eyed
As he walks down the street, his eyes are filled with smog, indicating pollution and possibly a sense of hopelessness in his surroundings.
Looking at the sky, starry-eyed
Despite the smog, he looks up at the sky with wonder and awe, as if searching for something greater than his current circumstances.
Searchin' for the place, weary-eyed
He is on a quest to find a better, more fulfilling place in the world, though his eyes show signs of exhaustion and fatigue from the search.
Crying in the night, teary-eyed
The search has brought him sadness and tears, likely from facing disappointment and setbacks along the way.
Don't you know that it's true
The artist is emphasizing that the following statement is a universal truth that applies to everyone.
That for me and for you
He is including the listener in the universal truth that he is about to reveal, creating a sense of shared experience and understanding.
The world is a ghetto
The world is a difficult, oppressive place that makes it hard for anyone to find true happiness and fulfillment.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles Miller, Harold Brown, Howard Scott, Jerome Washington, LeRoy Jordan, Mark Green, Morris Dickerson, Terry Gray, Thomas Allen, Lee Levitin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeandworo393
Just discovered this song... by calling to an hospital and this was their call waiting music !! Like damn keep it on and groovy please do not answer my call 😂 i hung up after 10 min to come here and find it. 👍👍
@angelcry79
This song is pure class.
@MRSZ5440
This is a Donny Hathaway song - 'The Ghetto' 1969
@st0rmchild
As classic as classic gets. Absolutely brilliant performance.
@elnagualmex
This one of Benson's best!! Love it!!
@depps244
I have to stop " whatever" I'm doing to dance on this...luv it. George tears it up! I love Donnie Hathaway's version just as well. This will always be one of my favorite songs to dance to!
@richardnunez9940
Si món o.g....
@nickstara1490
George is simply just a great jazz guitar player of all times
@susanorigel6846
I've been a fan of George Benson's for years. This piece is down right funky. Enjoy!! Listen to some Wes Montgomery too, I think you'll like him as well. The two maestros of jazz guitar if you ask me
@chrisgjohnson134
THIS TRACK GIVES ME CHILLS .....I LOVE IT ......AMAZING AWESOME ......