Hip-Hop Media TrainingEric Benet Explains Writing ‘Here In My Arms (Lucia’s Lullaby)’
Eric Benét's latest album, "The One," includes the track "Here In My Arms (Lucia's Lullaby)" that is dedicated to his five-month-old daughter, Lucia Bell, with wife Manuela Testolini. Benét said he began to hum the song during Manuela's pregnancy.
"It was a melody I would sing to Manuela when Lucia was still in Manuela's universe in here," Benét says while pointing to his stomach during part-two of his three-part video interview with Yahoo! Music. "I would sing to her, and when she was born, I would sing it, and I just thought it would be great to put some lyrics to this song. And I thought it would be great if my wife helped me with those lyrics."
[Related: Part 1: Eric Benét glad to have final say with own label]
"Here In My Arms" celebrates the simple joys of parenthood. Benét sings, "The moon up above such a marvel to see, the stars cause a heavenly sky. But none could compare as you drift off to sleep to the glow from the light of your smile." Benét adds, "Of all of the loves I have known near and far, the best is right here in my arms."
Benét describes the song as a classical piece. "It's like a Viennese Waltz," he said. "It's very soothing, loving and comforting song, and it puts Lucia right to sleep."
In part-two, Benét also talks about working with Lil Wayne on "The One's" controversial entry "Red Bone." Years before Benét wrote the song, he learned that Lil Wayne was a fan of his ballad, "Sometimes I Cry," and used it for emotional support throughout his incarceration. So when Benét thought the southern leaning "Red Bone" could use a rap verse, he reached out to the Young Money mogul.
