BENSON BOONE – ‘BEAUTIFUL THINGS’

BY JANIN AYALA FELIX | JANUARY 18, 2024 | POP | TRACKS

Benson Boone’s Beautiful Things, the lead single from his debut album Fireworks & Rollerblades, is a song that balances the fragility of happiness with a raw, emotive power that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable. Released on January 18, 2024, this ballad quickly captured hearts worldwide, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping charts in countries from the UK to Australia. It’s a song that doesn’t just highlight Boone’s vocal range but also solidifies him as an artist willing to dig deep into life’s bittersweet moments.

The song’s strength lies in its vulnerability. Boone, who co-wrote the track with Jack LaFrantz and Evan Blair (the latter also handling production), explores the delicate balance between gratitude and fear. From the outset, he reflects on how he’s doing better than “the last four cold Decembers,” painting a picture of newfound happiness. Yet, there’s an underlying tension—an awareness that the good things in life can be fleeting, that what has been granted can also be taken away. The line, “But I know the things He gives me / He can take away,” encapsulates that unease, turning what could have been a simple love song into something far more profound.

Musically, Beautiful Things builds from soft, soulful verses into a soaring, powerful chorus. Boone’s vocal delivery is delicate and restrained in the beginning, reflecting the introspective nature of the verses. But as the chorus kicks in, so does his vocal intensity, mirroring the emotional weight of the lyrics. “Please stay / I want you, I need you, oh God / Don’t take these beautiful things that I’ve got,” he pleads, his voice breaking through with an urgency that feels all too real. It’s a masterclass in dynamics, as Boone expertly navigates between restraint and release, showcasing his ability to convey raw emotion through vocal nuance.

The composition, set in B-flat major, gives the track an uplifting, almost spiritual quality. It’s a ballad about life’s meaning, framed through the lens of gratitude and love, but also anxiety—the fear of losing everything you hold dear. That contrast between light and dark, hope and fear, is what gives Beautiful Things its emotional punch. Boone’s previous singles like In the Stars showcased his soft, introspective side, but this track adds a more powerful layer to his artistry, allowing him to bring his full character to the forefront. The soulful verses and anthemic chorus serve as a testament to his growth as a performer, making it clear that he’s ready for the big leagues.

Lyrically, the song’s simplicity is its greatest strength. Boone doesn’t overcomplicate the message; instead, he lets the weight of each word carry the emotion. There’s a relatable honesty in his reflection on love and the volatility of happiness. As he sings, “I’ve got peace and I’ve got love / But I’m up at night thinkin’ I just might lose it all,” it feels like he’s tapping into a universal anxiety that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt the fear of having their happiness slip away.

Beautiful Things is not just a song—it’s a statement. It’s about savoring life’s moments while acknowledging their impermanence, all wrapped in a lush ballad that feels both intimate and epic. Boone’s knack for blending heartfelt lyrics with sweeping melodies makes this track a standout not just on his debut album, but in the landscape of 2024’s music releases. The combination of his emotive delivery, the song’s relatable themes, and its expertly crafted production ensures that Beautiful Things will be remembered as more than just a chart-topping hit—it’s a lasting anthem for anyone who’s ever held on tight to the beautiful, fragile things in life.

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