George Benson's career timeline through the years

About the Song

George Benson’s “This Masquerade” is a quintessential example of the artist’s ability to seamlessly blend jazz and pop elements into a captivating musical experience. Released in 1976, the song became a massive hit, showcasing Benson’s exceptional guitar skills and soulful vocals.

Benson’s interpretation of Leon Russell’s composition transformed the song into a sophisticated and soulful masterpiece. His smooth vocals and impeccable guitar playing create a mesmerizing atmosphere, inviting listeners into a world of introspection and emotion. The song’s arrangement is equally impressive, featuring a perfect balance of jazzy elements and pop sensibilities.

“This Masquerade” has become a timeless classic, beloved by music fans across generations. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the song’s universal appeal and Benson’s extraordinary talent. It’s a song that continues to inspire and captivate audiences, solidifying its place as one of the greatest vocal and instrumental performances of all time.

GEORGE BENSON discography (top albums) and reviews

Video

Lyrics: This Masquerade

Are we really happy here
With this lonely game we play
Looking for words to say
Searching but not finding
Understanding anywhere
We’re lost in a masquerade

Both afraid to say we’re just too far away
From being close together from the start
We tried to talk it over but the words got in the way
We’re lost inside this lonely game we play

Thoughts of weeping disappear
Every time I see your eyes
No matter how hard I try

To understand the reasons
That we carry on this way
We’re lost in a masquerade

We both afraid to say we’re just too far away
From being close together from the start
We tried to talk it over but the words got in the way
We’re lost inside this lonely game we play

Thoughts of weeping disappear
Every time I see your face
No matter how hard I try

To understand the reasons
Why we carry on this way
We’re lost in a masquerade

You Missed

Dolly Parton turned a simple handmade coat into one of the most powerful songs of her life because to her, it was never really about the fabric. “Coat of Many Colors” sprang directly from Dolly’s growing-up years in East Tennessee. Her mother, Avie Lee, pieced the jacket together by sewing colorful rags the family already owned. Cash was mighty tight, so there was no running down to the store for brand-new clothes. Instead, Avie Lee took what was on hand and stitched together something warm for her little girl to wear. While the needle flew, she shared the Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colors, turning an ordinary piece of clothing into something special in Dolly’s eyes. Proudly wearing that coat to school, Dolly felt rich, but the other kids saw it differently. They laughed at the patches and teased her for having so little. Years down the road, Dolly penned those childhood memories into “Coat of Many Colors.” Released in 1971, the tune became a shining example of why her songwriting touched so many souls. She never tried to hide hard times or dress up her youth to look prettier than it was. She simply laid the sting of teasing side-by-side with the deep love that stitched the coat together, letting that honest truth speak for itself. The song eventually grew far beyond that original vinyl record. Its spirit inspired the 2015 television movie Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, followed by Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love the very next year. Those films opened a window into Dolly’s mountain home, introducing folks to the hardworking parents and siblings who shaped her long before the bright lights found her. By then, Dolly had worn glittering stage gowns worth more than her family could ever have dreamed. Yet the garment folks remember best remains that humble little coat stitched by a mother’s loving hands when buying something new simply wasn’t in the cards. That is why the memory stayed alive. The scraps faded away, but the lesson underneath never did.