Ben
Michael Jackson & The Jacksons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone, and you, my friend, will see
You've got a friend in me
Ben, you're always running here and there
You feel you're not wanted anywhere
If you ever look behind and don't like what you find
I used to say I and me, now it's us, now it's we
I used to say I and me, now it's us, now it's we
Ben most people would turn you away
I don't listen to a word they say
They don't see you as I do
I wish they would try to'
I'm sure they'd think again if they had a friend like Ben
A friend like Ben
(Like Ben)
Like Ben
"Ben" is a touching and heartwarming tribute to a rat, which many listeners are unaware of. The song's lyrics detail the close bond between Michael Jackson and a rat named Ben, who became the titular character in a 1972 horror movie. Michael sings about how they no longer have to search for a friend because they have found each other, and he promises to always be around to support and be there for Ben. Michael acknowledges that Ben may feel as though he is not wanted, but he assures him that he has a place with him.
The second verse of the song is just as powerful, with Michael vowing to stand by Ben when the rest of the world turns him away. Michael knows that other people may not understand the bond that they share, but he wishes they could at least try. If they did, he believes they would see that Ben is a loyal and loving friend. In the chorus, Michael emphatically repeats "like Ben" as a testament to the rat's courage, loyalty, and friendship.
Line by Line Meaning
Ben, the two of us need look no more
We don't need to search for anything anymore now that we have each other
We both found what we were looking for
We found what we needed in each other's friendship
With a friend to call my own
Now that I have a friend that belongs to me, I won't be alone anymore
I'll never be alone, and you, my friend, will see
I will always have company and you will witness this yourself
You've got a friend in me
You can count on me to be there as your friend
Ben, you're always running here and there
You seem to be busy all the time and running from one place to another
You feel you're not wanted anywhere
You think nobody wants you or accepts you anywhere you go
If you ever look behind and don't like what you find
If you ever take a moment to reflect on your life and don't like what you see,
There's something you should know, you've got a place to go
You should know that you have a friend and a safe place to go to
I used to say I and me, now it's us, now it's we
Before I met you, I only thought about myself. Now, it's all about us, our friendship and the bond we share
Ben most people would turn you away
Most people wouldn't give you a chance
I don't listen to a word they say
I don't care about their opinions because I see you for who you are
They don't see you as I do
They don't understand you like I do
I wish they would try to'
I wish they would attempt to see you through my eyes and give you a chance
I'm sure they'd think again if they had a friend like Ben
If these people had a friend like you, they would think differently and realize what a great person you are
A friend like Ben
A friendship as special and meaningful as ours
(Like Ben)
Just like the friendship we have
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON BLACK, WALTER SCHARF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind