George Benson — On Broadway (live)
Album: Weekend In LAAvg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 1288
Length: 5:11
Plays (last 30 days): 0
share
tweet
They say the neon lights are bright on broadway
They say there's always magic in the air
But when you're walkin' down that street
And you ain't had enough to eat
The glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere
They say the women treat you fine on Broadway
But looking at them just gives me the blues
'Cause how ya gonna make some time
When all you got is one thin dime
And one thin dime won't even shine your shoes
They say that I won't last too long on Broadway
I'll catch a Greyhound bus for home, they all say
But they're dead wrong, I know they are
'Cause I can play this here guitar
And I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway
I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway
They say there's always magic in the air
But when you're walkin' down that street
And you ain't had enough to eat
The glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere
They say the women treat you fine on Broadway
But looking at them just gives me the blues
'Cause how ya gonna make some time
When all you got is one thin dime
And one thin dime won't even shine your shoes
They say that I won't last too long on Broadway
I'll catch a Greyhound bus for home, they all say
But they're dead wrong, I know they are
'Cause I can play this here guitar
And I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway
I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway
Comments (67)add comment
This is 15 out of 10. Truly outstanding!
A fantastic jazz guitarist! One of his best tunes after going "pop"! Another good pop tune of his was "Breezin'"!
I remember seeing George Benson at Merriweather Post Pavilion in the mid-80s. Fantastic musician and performer - absolutely sublime, in a time when I was discovering music and this kind of stuff really pulled me in...
Such a terrific musician reduced to SCAT to make a living. Oh well, worse things have happened
One of my all time favourites. Could be 12-13 easy.
You could do a salsa to this even a rhumba. yeah a salsa.
melzabutch wrote:
Right? A 9? What was I thinking????
This is a SOLID 10
Right? A 9? What was I thinking????
so solid ....
One of the greatest pieces of music I ever heard was Benny Goodman and George Benson trading licks on a PBS special. If that is heaven I am going to clean up my act.
This is a SOLID 10
Finally, 
this beats all singing bowls and hipster beard nagging 'music'.
this beats all singing bowls and hipster beard nagging 'music'.I will always associate this song with an all-nighter outside the Olympia Stadium in Detroit waiting to buy tickets for the 1978 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Wow ... does this ever bring back me back to a particular place and time in my life. 16 or 17 years old, the world is out there ripe for the picking, and George Benson is The MAN. Thanks, RP, for the enjoyable trip through my memories. Still lovin' this live performance! 
slowchair wrote:
That makes 2 of us....damn this is the shit!! Harvey Mason kicking some drums butts too....LLRP!!
This one only gets a 7??? I do not get it. This is one of the greatest songs ever. I give it a 10 and would give it an 11 if I could.
That makes 2 of us....damn this is the shit!! Harvey Mason kicking some drums butts too....LLRP!!
Haven't thought of this song in years. But, out of the blue, started humming it earlier today while walking home.
Can't believe it's just showed up on RP - You're reading my mind again, Bill.
Can't believe it's just showed up on RP - You're reading my mind again, Bill.
Why only the edited version and not the WHOLE song....
c'mon RP you are not that shy usually t ocross boundaries...
c'mon RP you are not that shy usually t ocross boundaries...
philipr wrote:
SKAT - man - SKAT
Please RP, more Benson ! doooooo doo doo doo doo doooo
SKAT - man - SKAT
love this and all that jazz
Oh just get on with it will ya George..Next
RP having a funky day today :)
Great memories attached to this one!
Aud wrote: We played this in high school band at halftime. Montgomery Alabama circa 1982. The crowd always went nuts when we did it. I still love this song.
c.
I would play this when I was a dance club dj.
People would look at me like "huh?"
Then they would get into it.
c.
This one only gets a 7??? I do not get it. This is one of the greatest songs ever. I give it a 10 and would give it an 11 if I could.
Well now! Here's another of my dad's old LPs that had a story to go along with it. My dad was an usher for MANY events at the Seattle Center Coliseum (now known as the Seattle Super Sonic-less Key Arena :-( BASTARDS!!) including the Sonics' two finals (loss and win) in the late 70s, and many concerts. My dad was a big rock fan and also liked blues/funk/soul/jazz - my dad said that GB did this song while he was ushering and EVERYONE in attendance had a blast and GB ROCKED it like he does on this recording.
So to all the haters asking BillG not to play this track....think of us folks that a) want to hear it and b) have good memories of the dearly departed that go with the song before you CONTINUE to bitch and moan.
BillG - I'd love to hear "Breezin'" or "I Remember Wes" or anything else GB you can think of that would work on RP. I'll try to submit one sometime...still working on the J. Mathis tune "Life is a Song (Worth Singing)" that would probably blow some minds - LONG LIVE RP!!
Oh...this one is a 10 for me...and then Geezus Krist, 2 songs later, BillG plays another of my 10 rated songs; Iron & Wine's "Naked as we Came" - one of the songs that seems mistitled at first glance ;-)
Proclivities wrote:
Likely 1968 or '69, since "Rosemary's Baby" is showing at that theater. It's odd that Castro Convertibles - a family-owned company - had that prime spot for their billboard for many years.
Castro Convertibles were big back in that era. I knew Bernie Castro and his sister Bernadette back in the late 50s when they lived in Daytona Beach. Bernie was with my best buddie Jim when Jim wrecked his mother's 57' Buick. Bernadette later became the spokesperson for Castro Convertibles after they moved back to south Florida and I lost touch with them.
Likely 1968 or '69, since "Rosemary's Baby" is showing at that theater. It's odd that Castro Convertibles - a family-owned company - had that prime spot for their billboard for many years.
Castro Convertibles were big back in that era. I knew Bernie Castro and his sister Bernadette back in the late 50s when they lived in Daytona Beach. Bernie was with my best buddie Jim when Jim wrecked his mother's 57' Buick. Bernadette later became the spokesperson for Castro Convertibles after they moved back to south Florida and I lost touch with them.
kingart wrote:
What he said.
A superb use of music in a movie.
Opening track to the superfine theater/film Bob Fosse semi-autobio All That Jazz. Great editing, too. Can't listen to this track too often, but when it's paired with that movie I could watch and listen in a big sustained loop.
What he said.
A superb use of music in a movie.
Benson's an amazing artist!
(cool photo melzabutch is that Julie Andrews with the star over her eye? : )
(cool photo melzabutch is that Julie Andrews with the star over her eye? : )
Proclivities wrote:
Likely 1968 or '69, since "Rosemary's Baby" is showing at that theater. It's odd that Castro Convertibles - a family-owned company - had that prime spot for their billboard for many years.
you'd never recognize it now, gone from sleazy and a little bit dangerous to family friendly.
Likely 1968 or '69, since "Rosemary's Baby" is showing at that theater. It's odd that Castro Convertibles - a family-owned company - had that prime spot for their billboard for many years.
you'd never recognize it now, gone from sleazy and a little bit dangerous to family friendly.
melzabutch wrote:
Likely 1968 or '69, since "Rosemary's Baby" is showing at that theater. It's odd that Castro Convertibles - a family-owned company - had that prime spot for their billboard for many years.
TIMES SQUARE BROADWAY 1960's
Likely 1968 or '69, since "Rosemary's Baby" is showing at that theater. It's odd that Castro Convertibles - a family-owned company - had that prime spot for their billboard for many years.
TIMES SQUARE BROADWAY 1960's
I would play this when I was a dance club dj.
People would look at me like "huh?"
Then they would get into it.
One of my favorite movies, All That Jazz
Opening track to the superfine theater/film Bob Fosse semi-autobio All That Jazz. Great editing, too. Can't listen to this track too often, but when it's paired with that movie I could watch and listen in a big sustained loop.
dpvest wrote:
IIRC, he wasn't making enough money as a jazz guitarist, live or from recordings. The decision to go pop in 74 or 75 was a calculated one designed to make enough money. According to his allmusic page, he got away from the pop stuff in the 80s and back into jazz.
a lot of people don't realize it but George Benson has some serious chops. that fact gets a bit lost in the pop music he made...but you can tell in some of them there riffs that he can play this here guitar...
IIRC, he wasn't making enough money as a jazz guitarist, live or from recordings. The decision to go pop in 74 or 75 was a calculated one designed to make enough money. According to his allmusic page, he got away from the pop stuff in the 80s and back into jazz.
h8rhater wrote:
This would have pre-dated leg warmers as a fashion concept. That is the 80s. This is the 60s (even if the recording is late 70's here). This would even have pre-dated bell bottoms. Think tight black slacks.
No, this is definitely late 70s music. The original was from the 60s, but this was a big hit even on teen-oriented FM stations when it came out. And yes, the guy can really play.
Wikipedia, the source of all my wisdom, has this factoid: "George Benson also performed "On Broadway" with Clifford and The Rhythm Rats for the 1994 Muppet album Kermit Unpigged." Definitely a version to put into rotation, Bill.
This would have pre-dated leg warmers as a fashion concept. That is the 80s. This is the 60s (even if the recording is late 70's here). This would even have pre-dated bell bottoms. Think tight black slacks.
No, this is definitely late 70s music. The original was from the 60s, but this was a big hit even on teen-oriented FM stations when it came out. And yes, the guy can really play.
Wikipedia, the source of all my wisdom, has this factoid: "George Benson also performed "On Broadway" with Clifford and The Rhythm Rats for the 1994 Muppet album Kermit Unpigged." Definitely a version to put into rotation, Bill.
a drum solo? seriously? please no.
window wrote:
Totaly with you Window ...... even I prefer Mac (;-)
Benson totally owns this song. That's him playing guitar perfectly over top of his very complex scat singing, in case you didn't know. He sure can "play this here guitar"!
Totaly with you Window ...... even I prefer Mac (;-)
a lot of people don't realize it but George Benson has some serious chops. that fact gets a bit lost in the pop music he made...but you can tell in some of them there riffs that he can play this here guitar...
Please RP, more Benson ! doooooo doo doo doo doo doooo
lol. funny but true.
tony620d wrote:
tony620d wrote:
Holy crap this one is never ending... I've heard it all in the first minute. Wrap it up Benson band - the crowd is sleeping!
window wrote:
Just because he has talent doesn't make this song any better.
Benson totally owns this song. That's him playing guitar perfectly over top of his very complex scat singing, in case you didn't know. He sure can "play this here guitar"!
Just because he has talent doesn't make this song any better.
Okay, you can stop now.
This one might be just a little dated...
Such great memories!!!
window wrote:
Couldn't disagree more. This is one of the rare covers that bests the original. Don't dismiss it just because it has the trappings of late 70s funk pop.
Benson totally owns this song. That's him playing guitar perfectly over top of his very complex scat singing, in case you didn't know. He sure can "play this here guitar"!
Well said!!
Couldn't disagree more. This is one of the rare covers that bests the original. Don't dismiss it just because it has the trappings of late 70s funk pop.
Benson totally owns this song. That's him playing guitar perfectly over top of his very complex scat singing, in case you didn't know. He sure can "play this here guitar"!
Well said!!
window wrote:
Couldn't disagree more. This is one of the rare covers that bests the original. Don't dismiss it just because it has the trappings of late 70s funk pop.
Benson totally owns this song. That's him playing guitar perfectly over top of his very complex scat singing, in case you didn't know. He sure can "play this here guitar"!
agreed.
Couldn't disagree more. This is one of the rare covers that bests the original. Don't dismiss it just because it has the trappings of late 70s funk pop.
Benson totally owns this song. That's him playing guitar perfectly over top of his very complex scat singing, in case you didn't know. He sure can "play this here guitar"!
agreed.
Jack_Jefferson wrote:
This would have pre-dated leg warmers as a fashion concept. That is the 80s. This is the 60s (even if the recording is late 70's here). This would even have pre-dated bell bottoms. Think tight black slacks.
I have a hard time imagining anyone other than people in leg warmers dancing to this. This one just conjures up silly images like that in my head.
I'm sorry about that.
Jack
I'm sorry about that.
Jack
This would have pre-dated leg warmers as a fashion concept. That is the 80s. This is the 60s (even if the recording is late 70's here). This would even have pre-dated bell bottoms. Think tight black slacks.
I have a hard time imagining anyone other than people in leg warmers dancing to this. This one just conjures up silly images like that in my head.
I'm sorry about that.
Jack
Any time I ride in my uncle's truck, we always have to listen to smooth jazz radio. It never fails to make me want to break something. I'm feeling a little of that here, which wouldn't be so bad if this was shorter.
And Ronald McDonald?
hcaudill wrote:
Very cool, but why is this the only George Benson on this station?
Good question......Needs either a good answer or some more uploads.
Mugro wrote:
love this song, or hate it I don't care, but this comment was priceless!
My brother had this album. We all made fun of him about it for the past 30 years....
love this song, or hate it I don't care, but this comment was priceless!
Holy crap this one is never ending... I've heard it all in the first minute. Wrap it up Benson band - the crowd is sleeping!
This is way too long. And boring.
Now if only we could hear "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway," by Genesis, next :-)
JAZZ HANDS!
My brother had this album. We all made fun of him about it for the past 30 years....
A GREAT Jazz tune from way back -- Sounds as good as the original studio version IMHO
Uh oh! It's the soft jazz station!
Great guitarist, cool song, although I always seem to hear this song on those sappy, lame Soft AC stations, usually while in the dentist chair, playing it in a feeble attempt at trying to seem hip, funky and cool. I hope RP does not follow suit.
Jack_Jefferson wrote:
Campy showbiz tune.
Couldn't disagree more. This is one of the rare covers that bests the original. Don't dismiss it just because it has the trappings of late 70s funk pop.
Benson totally owns this song. That's him playing guitar perfectly over top of his very complex scat singing, in case you didn't know. He sure can "play this here guitar"!
Very cool, but why is this the only George Benson on this station? He is a totally underrated artist, and he'd be better represented by a studio recording than this overwrought live version.
BARF!
get this off of here!
Campy showbiz tune.
But this is good because he is good, and his band are good