Michael Jackson scored his first #1 hit as a solo act with “Ben” in 1972. Although Jackson has since spent decades creating a wide variety of groundbreaking hits, “Ben” was an important stepping stone in his career. What sets this song apart from the rest, however — and truly defines it as having a cult fan based following even years after its release at Chillerama last year is that It’s an over-dramatic song about a boy serenading his pet rat.
The Story Behind “Ben” the rat…
It was originally released in 1972 as part of the soundtrack for a horror movie called Ben, and also its sequel, Willard from 1971. Both movies involve rats, specifically intelligent rats that form a colony to f people up…lol. The central theme of the song in Ben, meanwhile, is that a lonely boy that friends the rat. Even with its somber and non-typical subject matter of the film Ben is slow burning emotional song about friendship & trust.
The words, by Don Black & music Walter Scharf illustrate the close relationship between the boy and his rat. It was the video for this song that caught my attention, tied to a not very memorable movie but huge hit single (especially as “friend” which you didn’t realise until late on referred to an actual rat). 
The Impact of “Ben”
Ben which topped the charts with a bullet earning Jackson his first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and even landing him in another motion picture the song took home a Golden Globe for best song as well, extending Michael’s path to fame. While it may have been born from a silly idea, the song was not relegated to just being character piece; its themes were universal ones that resonated with everyone who heard it even if said person is some sort of cretinous animal. Others responded to the song, which they were then unaware that it was part of a movie sound track and it is regarded as one his early solo-career symbols.
Looking back Ben was more than a baby step towards Jackson establishing depth in whatever material he sang about if it were the life of a rat. It was a testament to the magic he would be in a track and portentous of the legendary career that lay ahead.
