Michael Jackson | Ben (1972)
"Ben" is a song written by Don Black and composed by Walter Scharf for the 1972 film of the same name. It was performed in the film by Lee Montgomery and by Michael Jackson over the closing credits.
1972-07-12 19:00:00 - Michael Jackson
Jackson's single, recorded for the Motown label in 1972, spent one week at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, making it Jackson's first number one single in the US as a solo artist.
Billboard ranked it as the number 20 song for 1972. It also reached number 1 on the ARIA Charts, spending eight weeks at the top spot. The song also later reached a peak of number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2004, the song appeared in The Ultimate Collection.
"Ben" won a Golden Globe for Best Song. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1973, losing to "The Morning After" by Maureen McGovern from The Poseidon Adventure.
Jackson lip-synced to the song at the Oscars ceremony, possibly as his vocal range had shifted since its recording.