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“Ben“ (often referred to as “Ben's Song“), is a song written by Don Black and composed by Walter Scharf for the 1972 film of the same name (the sequel to the 1971 killer rat film Willard). It was performed in the film by Lee Montgomery and by Michael Jackson over the closing credits. Jackson's single, recorded for the Motown label in 1972, spent one week at the top of the U.S. pop chart. Billboard ranked it as the No. 20 song for 1972. It also reached number one on the Australian pop chart, spending eight weeks at the top spot. The song also later reached a peak of number seven on the British pop chart. “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 performed the song in front of a live audience at the ceremony. The song was Jackson's first U.S. #1 solo hit. Willard 1971 In this horror film, the young, disturbed Willard Stiles befriends a pair of rats and trains them to brutally attack human beings. When his boss steps over the line, Willard sicks his deadly horde of flesh-eating rats on him. However, Willard's greatest allies become his worst enemies. Ben 1972 As a sequel to Willard, this strange film tells of the friendship between an ill boy and a highly intelligent rat, Ben--who happens to be the leader of a 4,000 member killer rat pack. Yes, that hit song from Michael Jackson is from this movie, which may provide more insight into the film's plot.
