George Benson Quotes

Powerful George Benson for Daily Growth

About George Benson

George Benson (born March 22, 1943) is an acclaimed American guitarist, singer, and songwriter who has spanned multiple musical genres throughout his illustrious career, encompassing jazz, R&B, pop, and soul. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Benson's love for music began at an early age, influenced by gospel music in his church and the blues and jazz records he listened to with his grandfather. He honed his skills on the guitar and began his professional career as a session musician in New York City. Benson gained widespread recognition in 1964 when he was chosen to replace Grant Green in the Jazz Messengers, led by Art Blakey. Throughout the late 1960s and early '70s, he collaborated with various jazz greats like Bobby Timmons, Charles Earland, and Lou Donaldson. In 1976, Benson crossed over to popular music with his album "Breezin'," which featured the hit single of the same name. The song became a massive success, reaching number one on both the R&B and pop charts in the United States. With its smooth fusion of jazz, pop, and soul, "Breezin'" solidified Benson's position as a versatile artist appealing to a broad audience. Throughout the 1980s and '90s, Benson continued to release chart-topping albums such as "In Flight," "20/20," and "Affirmations." His vocal abilities were showcased in duets with other artists like Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, and Shirley Bassey. In 1977, he won the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his rendition of "This Masquerade." George Benson's unique blending of musical styles and impressive technical skills have earned him numerous accolades throughout his career, including ten Grammy Awards. His lasting impact on contemporary music, coupled with an unwavering commitment to artistic innovation, cements his place as a true musical legend.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The more you seek, the more you find, but the more you find, the more you seek."

This quote by George Benson implies that the pursuit of knowledge or understanding (seeking) is an ongoing, cyclical process. The more one learns or discovers (finds), the more questions or areas of interest arise (more seeking). In essence, the quote highlights the inherent curiosity and thirst for learning that drives human progress.


"Music is the language of the spirit. It cuts through all the noise and goes straight to your soul."

This quote suggests that music transcends superficial barriers and directly taps into our deepest emotions and spirituality. In other words, it bypasses the external distractions of daily life to touch our inner selves in a profound way. Music's universal language allows it to connect people across cultures, generations, and experiences.


"You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to be worried about the way others perceive or judge you: they can make you feel great or they can disturb your peace."

This quote underscores the importance of cultivating emotional resilience in the face of external opinions, whether positive or negative. By not letting praise or criticism affect our self-worth, we demonstrate strength and avoid the potential harm that unhealthy reliance on others' perceptions can cause. Instead of seeking validation from others, it is essential to focus on personal growth, inner peace, and self-acceptance.


"I think we should all strive for perfection, but not expect it. That way, when it happens by accident, we'll know God was in town."

This quote suggests that humans should aim for perfection, or the best they can be, yet not set an unrealistic expectation that it will always be attainable. The purpose is to maintain high standards while remaining humble and understanding our human limitations. When we achieve something close to perfection unexpectedly, it serves as a reminder that there might be a higher power guiding us or working in our lives. It's an inspiring call to continuous improvement while acknowledging the mystery and grace of life.


"The music is the boss. It tells me where to go, what to do."

This quote implies that for George Benson, the music he plays holds an authority over him. Instead of imposing his own will or ideas onto the music, he allows it to guide him, shaping the melody, rhythm, and flow naturally. It's a testament to his artistic humility, understanding that true musicianship lies in surrendering oneself to the creative process and letting the music speak for itself.


If you play music for the right reasons, the rest of the things will come. The right reason to play music is that you love it. That's why I play music. I never imagined that I was going to be doing this, especially because I never thought of myself as an instrumentalist.

- George Benson

Love, Play, Reason, Right Reasons

My stepfather met my mother when I was seven years old, and he was a guitar player. So he caught me messing with his guitar, his electric guitar, and he tried to show me some chords, but my hands were too small.

- George Benson

Small, Caught, Messing, Stepfather

My stepfather had an electric guitar. He went to his pawn store one day to get a guitar and an amp, and I couldn't understand what I was hearing. All afternoon, I just sat against the amp and let it reverberate through me. Something must have stuck.

- George Benson

Through, Against, Amp, Stepfather

When I was 15 years old, my cousin and I formed a singing group called The Altaires. And, because we became the most popular singing group in the Tri-State area, the rest of the group convinced me I should play the guitar - even though I didn't own one! So what happened was, my stepfather actually made my first electric guitar for me for $23!

- George Benson

Play, Own, Became, Stepfather

I've done two albums for Concord Records; one was with Al Jarreau and it did very well for us. The second album was called 'Songs And Stories,' and it had good songs and good performances, but I promised them I would do an album that was more jazz-oriented.

- George Benson

Records, Very, Albums, Concord

I never gave up on that idea, you know, that jazz musicians have the same opportunity as everybody else and that it's what you put on that record that makes the difference whether you sell it or not or are able to get it into people's households.

- George Benson

Jazz, Idea, Everybody, Households

'I Want To Hold Your Hand' is a great classic by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, I sure love that song. I did like the classic version, a rock-oriented song, then someone heard me do it with the Grant Green approach - Grant Green and Larry Young did it, with a bossa nova beat on the funky side.

- George Benson

Love, Young, Your, Larry

I listen to other guitar players, yeah. It gives me new concepts and shows me where the instrument is going for the future and it is going some places. There are some musicians who are really putting out a good vibe with new theories. I try and keep up.

- George Benson

Some, Other, Vibe, Guitar Players

Andres Segovia, the great name for guitar, he put classical guitar on the map. He was the proponent of it, the best in the world. So I was listening to a record that he had made, and a little bauble happened in the middle of the record. A finger slipped, and I said, 'Wait a minute. He's not allowed to make mistakes,' - my mind.

- George Benson

Wait, Allowed, Classical, Map

The jazz rhythm won't be understood by the bulk of my audience. That's the problem. We can get away with maybe one tune a night. It depends on where we place it. A song like 'Beyond the Sea,' the fans love that. It's fresh.

- George Benson

Love, Away, Maybe, Understood

One of the first things electric I ever saw was a guitar. I was living in a house with no electricity until, at 7, we moved to a house that had it. It had electric lights, but the previous owners had even taken the light bulbs with them when they moved.

- George Benson

Had, Moved, Owners, First Things

We don't live in a jazz world, unfortunately. I think if I had lived in a jazz world, I would have done OK. I'm not sure I would have done great. I'm a lover of jazz music, so I would have been happy, don't get me wrong. I go to jazz concerts like the biggest jazz fan in world. The drag is that I don't play jazz for a living.

- George Benson

Play, Been, I Think, OK

I study the Bible constantly. I teach the Bible. You know, I'm a Bible conductor, and I have a lot of people studies. But also, I see how small things really help people to get over humps in their life. Gives them direction.

- George Benson

Small, Study, I See, Conductor

I have been doing music all my life so everyday when I get up I expect music will be part of it.

- George Benson

My Life, Doing, Been, Everyday

I haven't done anything with Chick Corea. He had a group called Return to Forever, and everyone in the group became a superstar. I would really like to work with him.

- George Benson

Everyone, Like, Became, Chick

My whole career from the early 70s on has been mind-blowing. I didn't imagine in my life that I would ever be considered a guitar player first of all because I started off as a singer.

- George Benson

My Life, Career, Been, First Of All

My whole life, I've never worried about being No. 1, because that's the guy they've got to get out of there.

- George Benson

Guy, About, Whole, Worried

I actually got discovered in my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by a man who worked at a place that sold barbecue sandwiches!

- George Benson

Pittsburgh, Discovered, Sold, Barbecue

One thing all the way through the show to me is boring. I don't care how great the artist is. I find that if my audience is very young, and they want to hear very young songs, my show will be dominated by that. But there'll be some ballads here and there and some swing tunes.

- George Benson

Through, Here, Very, Dominated

I've always hated rejection; I only want to go out there when I know I've got it right.

- George Benson

Want, Go, Always, Hated

I moved to Hawaii from Inglewood, New Jersey. I had planned on retiring there.

- George Benson

New, Hawaii, Retiring, Jersey

I keep my ears open. The world can change overnight; that's what happens in this world. You never know. You have to keep your eyes and ears open. If you can't keep up, you ain't gonna catch up. I've been making records since 1953, and you just have to keep up.

- George Benson

Records, Been, Your, Catch

As my career has progressed, I've had the pleasure of playing with the baddest jazz cats on the planet. But that doesn't change my desire to entertain folks. That's really who I am.

- George Benson

Desire, Career, Entertain, Folks

I like to sing because my mother was a singer. She sang to me all the time, so I learned to love singing. I did have a career as little 10-year-old George Benson. I made my first record as a vocalist, but I've been playing guitar since I was 9.

- George Benson

Love, Career, Been, To Love

I think I'm more entertainer than musician. I like to get with the crowd, make this night special for them.

- George Benson

Think, Like, I Think, Musician

I like Simon Cowell - look at how many great artists have come out of the U.K. because of him.

- George Benson

Like, Come, Many, Simon

The greatest guitar player in the world today for me is Paco de Lucia, who is actually Spanish.

- George Benson

Guitar, Spanish, Actually, Guitar Player

Love songs are one of the great essences of life, the only thing that's lasting.

- George Benson

Love, Great, The Only Thing, Songs

I don't particularly fall in love with my own compositions, but some of them are decent.

- George Benson

Love, Some, Particularly, Decent

Guitar gigs were everywhere in the '50s, and I started diddling around so I could keep working. Playing honky-tonk, simple stuff. I took a few gigs with an organ band that put me out front.

- George Benson

Simple, Around, Organ, Gigs

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