This Masquerade

"This Masquerade"
SinglebyGeorge Benson
from the albumBreezin'
A-side	"The World is a Ghetto"(Netherlands)
B-side	"Lady" "Six to Four" (UK) "Breezin'"(Japan)
Released	April 1976
Recorded	January 1976
Studio	Capitol(Hollywood)
Genre	Soul
Length	8:03(Album full length) 3:17 (Single edit version)
Label	Warner Bros. Records
Songwriter(s)	Leon Russell
Producer(s)	Tommy LiPuma
George Bensonsingles chronology
"Summertime" / "2001" (1976) "This Masquerade" (1976) "Breezin'" (1976)
Music video
"This Masquerade" by George Benson (1976)onYouTube

"This Masquerade"is a song written by American singer and musicianLeon Russell.It was originally recorded in 1972 by Russell for his albumCarneyand as aB-sidefor the album's hit single "Tight Rope".The song was then covered onHelen Reddy's 1972 album,I Am Woman.It was then recorded by American vocal duo,the Carpenters,for their 1973 albumNow & Thenand as theB-sideof the Carpenters's single "Please Mr. Postman".Three years later," This Masquerade "was recorded by American singer and guitaristGeorge Benson,who released it on his 1976 album,Breezin'.Benson's version, featuringJorge Daltoon piano, was released as a single and became the first big hit of his career.

George Benson version

In 1976, "This Masquerade" was a top-ten pop and R&B hit forjazzguitarist/vocalistGeorge Benson,who recorded it on his 1976 signature albumBreezin'.It was his first single release. Benson's rendition is the only charting version of the song in the U.S. It reached number 10 on theBillboardHot 100and number three on theHot Soul Singleschart. On theCash BoxTop 100 it reached #12."This Masquerade" was most successful in Canada, where it reached number 8 on the Pop Singles chart as well as the Adult Contemporary chart.

In1977,Benson's version won aGrammy AwardforRecord of the Year,while it was nominated forSong of the Yearand forBest Pop Vocal Performance, Male.

Track listing

Year	Side	Song	Length	Interpreter	Writer/Composer	Producer	Album
1976	A-side	"This Masquerade"	3:17 (Edit single)	George Benson	Leon Russell	Tommy LiPuma	Breezin'
1976	B-side	"Lady"	5:56	George Benson	Ronnie Foster	Tommy LiPuma	Breezin'

Music video

George Bensonrecorded an official music video for "This Masquerade" in 1976. In the video, the song has the same length as the song's single (3:17).

Chart history

Chart (1976–77)	Peak position
CanadaRPMAdult Contemporary	8
CanadaRPMTop Singles	8
USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	3
USAdult Contemporary	6
USBillboard Hot 100	10

Personnel

• Lead Vocal –George Benson
• Lead Guitar – George Benson
• Conductor, Arranged By –Claus Ogerman
• Piano [Soloist] –Jorge Dalto
• Rhythm Guitar –Phil Upchurch
• Bass – Stanley Banks
• Drums –Harvey Mason
• Percussion –Ralph MacDonald
• Producer –Tommy LiPuma

Trivia

• Leon Russell's original version is part of the soundtrack forThe ExorcistdirectorWilliam Friedkin's psychological thriller filmBug.TheBug Soundtrackwas released on May 22, 2007. It also appeared in the movieThe Pursuit of Happyness.
• The Carpenters' version was also performed on TV withElla Fitzgerald;the medley in which it was sung was subsequently released on the compilationAs Time Goes By.

External links

• Music video of "This Masquerade" by George Benson (1976)onYouTube
• Page of "This Masquerade" by George BensonatDiscogs
• Page of "This Masquerade" by George Bensonat 45cat