Corey Hart - "Ben" unplugged

'Ben' by Michael Jackson was the first song I ever remember singing to. I was a painfully shy 10 year old, who on most nights alone in my bedroom would hold a math ruler as a makeshift microphone in front of the mirror singing this song with all my might.

It was a lonely period in my young life. My mom and dad had split up but it wasn't their rupture so much that affected me. I was accustomed to never seeing my father around. It was moreover a feeling like I didn't belong or I couldn't belong in the world I lived in.

This image of me may seem odd to you because you met me as the 'rock star' wearing sunglasses at night but it is an accurate description of Corey Hart as a little boy before I became the Corey Hart you met on MTV. I was acutely sensitive, clinging to my mom and older brother Robbie's every move. He dug playing sports so I tagged along with his gang of friends trying my hardest to keep up.

I was extremely quick, dexterous but i wasn't strong at all. In fact, i was very skinny with bony little sticks for legs :) And i lacked self-confidence. But then suddenly everything changed... I can't tell you what day or the precise moment but that year I discovered music and my world opened up. I finally found the friend I could depend upon unconditionally.
This music awakening and the song 'Ben' released by Michael Jackson in 1972 also coincided with me seeing on Quebec television a young singer named Rene Simard. We were about the same age. I saw Rene perform the song 'Oiseau'. I heard his angelic voice and i was mesmerized by his emotions... 'Ben' became my theme song with the image of Rene Simard always nearby.

Last month I was asked by a popular TV show in Quebec to surprise Rene Simard with a guest appearance on a telecast which was paying tribute to his career... I chose 'Ben' and dedicated it to him by singing the last lines in French to my old friend.

Corey Hart, October 7th , 2011

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Corey Hart
• Ben (song)

[sonhyonnim]

Beautiful  Voice!

[yodaforever]

Great Job Corey! Thank you for all the new material.

[physio98]

love that you added your own spin to it... Very "Corey" of you... love it!

[physio98]

@jazzyslove thank you... couldn't have said it better myself...

[supervyou99]

I love your hair before now not so much. I prefer the darker color and spikes. You should still do shows but on a smaller venues. You may feel old but don't act like you are. It's all in the actions.

[favritmemri]

Loved it!

[WillingtonNoble]

miss you buddy

[distortech2]

Wonderful, just wonderful, wonderful, and WONDERFUL!

[pinkformarie]

Wow Corey I am your no.1 fan!!! This is truly the the most beautiful and heartfelt song you have ever sung in my opinion, very genuine. You are not getting older, well maybe you are but you are also getting better and I for one thought you were already good enough!!!

[synthvault]

Great job! Such soulful singing... really made this hit home.

[jazzyslove]

DEANKGAGNON SHUT THE F*** UP !!

[Daybreak1223]

Beautiful