Joe Bethancourt - Benson Arizona

[xenoxiq]

Mr Bethancourt - thank you for this fantastic song as heard in the film - but more than that thank you for this version of yours. Be well Sir!

[johnmburt1960]

If I should find myself aboard a plane about to crash, I will by God start belting out "Benson Arizona", to console the geeks who get the reference and confuse the mundanes.

[xenoxiq]

I have always loved the film and the song. Regardless of what it is, I will one day move to the 'States and visit Benson ;)

Thanks grunt, Joe and all you fellas that keep me here!

[MrSirMrSirMr]

It's nice, but why is it so hard to find a version where people sing the actual melody?

[MrBruceg52]

Have we enough pennies yet?

[reefcut]

1:26

[Brucegman52]

Why build a solar powered ice skating rink in Benson; one penny at a time? Ask me when it gets built!

[dummbatz48]

Mmmm this is just soo good

[fairportfan2]

Like many others, i have also written an additional verse (which accidentally wound up paying tribute to a great SF writer):

When all has come full circle, and time and space are one

When the youngest star has faded, and all my tasks are done

Well i guess i'll turn my ship about, to the planet of my birth,

And maybe we'll begin again, 'mid the cool green hills of Earth.

[fairportfan2]

The members of the Baltimore/DC group "Clam Chowder" could tell you who wrote that extra verse, i think - they recorded it on one of their albums in the '80s and gave credit, as i recall. (They may have written it themselves, but i don't think so.) You can contact them (more or less) at "owlharp at juno dot com".

[dave47x]

love the film' great song. didnt know dan o'bannon had died.

[drgahnzo]

Thinking of Dan O'Bannon as well. RIP, and thanks.

[FamousMortimer]

RIP Mr. O'Bannon.

[camptecumsehYMCA]

Thinking about this song a lot since Dan O'Bannon died today.. RIP

[guthywoodry]

Thanks Joe Bethancourt, Thanks Grunt665 & YouTube.

-Dark Star Is One of the all important 'Lifetime' Movies that everyone should see at least Once before they Die.

And this beautiful song should remain with you forever after...

[recaulkulous]

@guthywoodry I saw Dark Star in the theatre when I was 13.... I didn't know what the hell to think of it at the time, but you're right, It's absolutely a classic. The comedy was so subdued and implied that it was hard to tell if it was a comedy or not.... but now it's one of my faves.

[drgahnzo]

Now THIS is spacefolk.

[shocktower70]

First saw the flick at a 50 cent theater in Whittier Calif.. Was impressed by the visuals... rememerd the theme sonf for 40 years

[182436hike]

Just wish I was as young now as when "Dark Star" came out - like the guys on "Dark Star" :). Back in those days it was great to "partake" and sit back with a beer and blow up "unstable planets"!

[grunt665]

Quite true. Bill says he wrote another verse for it, but it has been lost, and the extra verse in this version was apparently written by good old "Anonymous."

[fairportfan]

Audio synch is off.

Lyric by Betancourt, music by John Carpenter.

[fairportfan]

Oops. Lyric by Bill Taylor. (*redface*)

But Carpenter did write the music.

[spielos]

Beautiful version of a really quite moving song. Dark Star was an old university favourite.

[n1yln]

A wonderful interpertation!

[SDChargersForever]

True story: In 1992 I was driving from New Orleans to San Diego following Mardi Gras, and stopped to get gas in Benson, AZ. After gassing up, I decided to hit Jack in the Box before getting on the road. As I pulled up to the window at JITB, the guy hands me my food and CALLS ME BY MY FULL NAME. That was sort of a freakout moment.

Turns out I'd left my credit card at the gas station nearby, and they called JITB after seeing me drive over there. But for a moment, it was really spooky.

[CamaradaSupimpa]

I gotta meet Benson.

[shocktower70]

Benson Arizona is a " Dark Sky" area not a person, brother

[AdamiRose]

It's not that great a town...I assure you. I live in it.

[markiangooley]

Been through it on the way from Tucson to Tombstone... looked somewhat interesting but, no, not way special. But any place can acquire a sort of endearing quality in some situations...

[fairportfan2]

@markiangooley A friend of mine once organised a science fiction convention in Benson...

Just because of this song.

[GordonMorrice]

@AdamiRose When you've been living in outer space for 3 years smelling of B.O. and no women then ANY town in America is great!

[Brucegman52]

@AdamiRose  Bullshit!

[Brucegman52]

@AdamiRose Bull- O -Nee!

[ledzzappa]

@AdamiRose what is it like my friend? love from england to all our american brothers,

[CamaradaSupimpa]

Yeah. WOW

[Whatupwidat]

This is an amazing version of the song...I'm hereby changing the way I play it to emulate Joe...

Wow.

[bassmankang]

Fantastic song and a fantastic movie - what more can you say...!

[cartoonterry]

Best Country-Western song fron the past ( or is it the future?? ) Best movie of all time!!

[StewedTomato]

Benson is one great little town!!!

[Larsplatoon]

Best move ever

[StewedTomato]

Love the song and love Benson. Anyone know where I could find the movie?

[FutureKubrick]

If you can't find it in any stores, then go to ebay. That's where I got my copy.

[StewedTomato]

Found one at Hastings book store in Siearra Vista !

[desgard]

this song is blessed

[timewaster2k]

Let's have some music in here Boiler... Sure Thing!

[kennyferry]

classic, just classic

[joelsamuel]

Joe will be performing at my Backstage In Arizona Reunion the old television show featureing Arizona professional entertainment and internationally known talent This rare event will be held Sunday April 29th

@ the Rhythm Room in Phoenix

Spread the word.

[tlrdar]

Love this song, and I loved that movie. Thanks for the great memories.

[frankenstang1973]

A fine song from a top movie- nice one!