Ben (song)

"Ben" is a song originally performed by Michael Jackson. It was the title track to his 1972 album of the same name, Ben, and was written by Walter Scharf and Don Black.

The song tells the story of a lonely young boy's unlikely friendship with a rat named Ben. While often interpreted literally, the song's lyrics can also be understood as a metaphor for overcoming loneliness and finding friendship in unexpected places.

"Ben" was released as a single and became Michael Jackson's first solo number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song also reached number one in Australia. It won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1973, which it lost to "The Morning After" from The Poseidon Adventure.

The song's success cemented Jackson's status as a solo artist and helped launch him towards superstardom. It remains one of his most recognized and beloved songs.