"Ben" is the second studio album by American singer Michael Jackson, released by Motown on August 4, 1972, while he was still a member of the Jackson 5. The album received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics. It performed better on music charts than Jackson's previous studio album, "Got to Be There", peaking within the top 10 on the Billboard 200 in the United States. Internationally, it achieved lower chart positions, reaching number 12 in Canada and appearing within the top 200 in Australia and France.
The album produced one single, the title track "Ben", which became a commercial success. It reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Australian ARIA charts, becoming Jackson's first number-one single in the United States and internationally. It also reached the top 10 in several other countries. A second single, "Everybody's Somebody's Fool", was planned but not released for unspecified reasons. Two tracks from the album were later included in edited form in the 2009 compilation "Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection".
Recording sessions for "Ben" took place between November 1971 and February 1972. The album was produced by multiple producers and executive-produced by Berry Gordy. Songwriters involved included Mel Larson, Jerry Marcellino, Thom Bell, Linda Creed, The Corporation, Smokey Robinson, and Ronald White. The album contains cover versions of songs originally recorded by artists including The Temptations, The Stylistics, Lionel Hampton, Brenda Holloway, and Stevie Wonder. The title track was written for the 1972 film "Ben" and received a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, losing to "The Morning After" from "The Poseidon Adventure". The album also includes variations in tempo across tracks, ranging from slower ballads to more upbeat songs.
Several critics gave mixed to positive assessments of the album. AllMusic rated it four out of five stars, highlighting selected tracks positively while noting some material as weaker or dated. Rolling Stone gave a lower rating, stating that while the album contained more original material than its predecessor, it lacked some of the earlier album's standout songs, though it also noted a stronger overall consistency. Entertainment Weekly graded the album a "B" and stated that the title track was a key example of Jackson's vocal development, while also suggesting the album is primarily remembered for that song.
Commercially, "Ben" was released in August 1972 by Motown Records as Jackson's second solo studio album for the label. The single "Ben" was released in July 1972 and became a major international hit, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as high positions on other US charts, including Adult Contemporary and R&B listings. It also charted in several international markets, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Australia. The album itself reached number 5 on the US Billboard 200 and number 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In the United Kingdom, it entered the album chart in January 1973, remaining in the top 50 for several weeks and later receiving a Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry. Following Jackson's death in 2009, the album re-entered some international charts, including in France, and has been reported to have sold over 2 million copies worldwide.
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