Alec Benjamin - I Built a Friend (The Story Behind the Story)

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This video explains the thought process behind my song "I Built a Friend
Heres the link to I built a friend:
" • Alec Benjamin - I Buil...
#AlecBenjamin #IBuiltaFriend #AlecBenjaminIBuiltaFriend #TheseTwoWindows
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[@AlecBenjaminMusic]

THE ALBUM IS COMING MAY 29TH !!! pre order here : alecbenjamin.lnk.to/TheseTwoWindowsID

[@emd4070]

Alec Benjamin hello alec:)

[@firelordzuko7822]

Lol only 2 comments

[@gustavsparre8653]

Hey you are amazing

[@marissattw9759]

Yess and it’s amazing

[@jurish_playsz]

I like the song but he make me cry cause it's a sad story😭

[@073908113]

"I was hungry so i ate something" Me too haha

[@mandyeed5775]

Liz I was about to comment that😂

[@073908113]

I've thought that every once in awhile...

[@natalia-005]

Alec Benjamin hey, I just saw Merrick Hanna on Americas got talent preforming to this song and I loved the song...(and merrick 😂😁 I know u probably won't see this but anyway, I love this song and everything ab it. Ur so talented

[@anonymousbutnotreally6903]

natalia notcheva omg I had that same thing happen I watched him and I really wanted to hear this song on its own and I'm like I have to find this song so I found the song and I loved it this song went great with his dance I love his music and Alec if your reading this I love your music and I love I built a friend your voice is incredible

[@shaunisdumb35]

natalia notcheva same

[@jamiebouchard557]

"I'm not a good piano player" *plays piano perfectly*

[@Star_Jewel]

You don't have to be a good piano player to just mess around with the notes till you eventually find a chord that sticks and then try to memorize it.

[@pawelpuzia8846]

Yeah he’s so good

[@mimosa3189]

I really want to like this comment but it's at 420 likes and I don't want to ruin it

[@TheApatheticRaven]

Let's help alec get big. Shout out his name in any video. Let's try to get him on the radio

[@jonkeathegamer]

@@mimosa3189 It's ruined now, go on ahead.

[@smsm84443]

"I was hungry so I ate something " _alec benjamin one of the best quotes ever 😂😂

[@pawelpuzia8846]

Yes now we all clap

[@jijimagadia]

:0 the master of quotes

[@jordanlovejohnson6274]

i agree 😂😂👍

[@doliofi2763]

"Cuz it's poop" 😂

[@helloimawasteofaspaced8559]

@@jijimagadia yeah

[@rimazarif8545]

THE WAY HIS VOUCE CHANGES IS JUST...... OMG

[@fwmb7556]

rimaz arif IKR I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING

[@chaoticatom6150]

i like his singing voice i feel like he could become a big singer one day

[@ferrari6285]

@@chaoticatom6150 he's getting more recognition, so who knows what the future has in store for him

[@pawelpuzia8846]

AMAZING

[@nicflores9393]

😤I KNOW. MY VOICE GETS DEEPER WHEN I SING I KNOW ITS SUCH A DIRASTIC DIFFERENCE IT GETS WAY HIGHER I CAN'T SING THAT HIGH!😫

[@yikesmadds]

if he was my friend, i'd make him stay up late on the phone and tell me stories all the time

[@Angeleyesly]

Maddy Sipe that's a beautiful thing you said here

[@gabbyc9112]

Maddy Sipe that made my heart happy.

[@mintyymsp3855]

same loool

[@woundedwarrior9404]

U guys would be the best friends lol

[@gsiya4023]

same i tell my friends too but they are busy cause even i write songs

[@karenromo8680]

i like how ur brain works. haha :)

[@elizabethvonbehren7208]

Karen Romo So true, Alec has a broader mind then most singer's ( Talor Swift etc.)

[@Grace-px5ck]

@@elizabethvonbehren7208 t a l o r ?

[@jennybilicska4052]

My favorite part of the video: "Well actually it took 2 hours. In 30 minutes I got most of it done. But I was hungry so ate something"😂😂😂😂😂😂 I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

[@yoinkyplayz747]

Dam you looove him

[@noobistreasure7807]

Alec accept this girl she's cute

[@Polarcap1]

There is a dope taco truck down the road lol

[@RekiMyLoveOfSkAtEbOaRdInG]

@@Polarcap1 lmfaoooo

[@mundrubjet]

"Sometimes I just hit random notes 'til a chord comes out...because I don't know what I'm doing..." Some of the greatest hits in the history of song writing have come from artists who were not "classically trained". It helps...but as you have shown, it is not altogether necessary. This doesn't happen when a normal person hits random notes on a piano. It only happens when an ARTIST does it and that is what you are. That's a God given gift if I ever saw one. IMHO. Good for you...Ol Sarge...

[@TwentyPaphonies]

It was really encouraging to me as a musician to see that one of my favorite artists also never had formal piano lessons. It kind of boosted my confidence again.

[@mitanshu5129]

Twenty Paphonies same here buddy. Same here.

[@naigellucia3206]

me on the contrary have had lessons but then i wannt to make songs with guitar so this is helpfull

[@okalrighthoney]

Dope taco truck break. Yeah this sounds like something I would do during school.

[@devinwagner5660]

How do you sound like a really young person when you sing?

[@melitawatson7356]

Devin Wagner it probably has something to do with how he pronounces the words and that he sings pretty high

[@maysyarah4069]

I thought it's just me thinking about it

[@paniconbrendonsforehead6301]

Ikkkkkkkkkkk

[@taxiboi2523]

Hes a soprano

[@browhoisgrace]

true! i always think hes in his teens or something but hes not

[@saskiarobinson5746]

I really love seeing the stories of your songs, your mind just seems to work in an incredible way.

[@faybryans8647]

Saskia Robinson |-/

[@evy8902]

|-/

[@myaircatcher168]

Saskia Robinson |-/

[@micah3046]

Saskia Robinson fren |-/

[@maydeligonzalez8686]

|-/

[@TwentyPaphonies]

tHE PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON REFERENCE OMG

[@lorenzoallen8193]

Twenty Paphonies dude seriously I see you every where how ??

[@Speed001]

Does he mean Piff the Magic Dragon?

[@seokjinnie9516]

Okay so thing song makes me think. Alec had a friend that wasn't really happy and not alright in many ways. So Alec brought the friend to his house and help "build" him or make/shape/fix him into who he actually was. Alec and his friend did everything together untill alec had to leave for college and met a girl. And since Alec was his friends only friend he was lonely back at home. And he mentally fell back into the person he was before Alec and couldn't bare the lonelyness anymore. And ended it.

[@cuntybunty]

Jins Left Ear WOW

[@melzzie2603]

Oof

[@ameliajohnson8428]

That’s actually the exact same thing that I thought about

[@kcat74]

One thing that stuck with me was when the lyric went "I gave him my old cell phone for a head." I took that as his family was broken up and his friend was abused at his own home, so he gave him his old clothes, and phone but at the same time he gave him a new way to view the world and to think more positive. Now I'm sad just thinking about how sad it would be oml it's so sad.😭😭😭😭

[@sarah-ok2ly]

"I'm Not Even A Good Piano Player" LIES😂💓

[@Star_Jewel]

It's one thing to have formal training, it's another to just mess around with the notes till you eventually find a chord that sticks.

[@Fivesosforever]

Omg how he changes his voice note!! Its AdOrAblE ,UGHHH! your voice is just👌❤

[@Maggie541]

I remember when I was in 3rd grade I made a song called "the jerk in the neighborhood" 😂

[@florislava4411]

What’s the lyrics?

[@ssapphire666]

You are subscribed to Melanie Martinez and poppy, you just got another subscriber

[@threecheers5101]

It’s 3 years later and we’re all still here waiting on the lyrics lmao you caught our interest

[@aaronmondal292]

Lyricssssssss????????

[@laineyh7793]

"I'll just hit random things until a sound comes out" lmao me with literally everything. Also like the puff the magic dragon reference 😂😂 literally the best story everrrr

[@Gacha_Mari_15]

“Cause it’s like 24th century shit” That had me dying lmao 😂

[@bethanyd1750]

I love it when you post the story behind a song

[@ambz3760]

i built a friend deserves so much more than just one million views...

[@yubby1873]

Ambz I agree

[@nichellerenee8167]

Hahaha. "A dope taco truck"..

[@zar6607]

I just recently found your song "Paper Crowns" on Spotify and I love it so much, it speaks so much to me at this point in my life tbh. I rlly like your other songs too, I can tell you put so much thought and effort into your lyrics :) I hope you never stop making music, I love all of your songs

[@sarahfernandez8589]

Kyα lemme guess xD you watched a Nightcore version of paper crown.

[@Speed001]

@@sarahfernandez8589 So what if they did?

[@violet_7vii]

"And then I was hungry, so I ate something..." story of my life.

[@tylerjoseph7411]

Man I've been learning music theorie for what, 12 years now, and I've been dreaming of writing songs but still don't feel like a know enough to actually start writing. And I love your work, and I've always though you knew way more than I do to write that well, but here you come saying you don't know what you play, you just play what sounds good, and you know it does sound great! I don't know how you're doing it but just continue doing it! You're so talented, all my respect!!

[@JessicaJLandi]

We love his real-ness. So relatable.

[@User27440]

"I was hungry so o ate something because because there's a dope taco truck down there" OMG 😂

[@riannedrijver4879]

Its really cool how you're just thinking about something or dreaming about something and then make these amazing songs out of it! Please, never stop! :)

[@riannedrijver4879]

Alec Benjamin I promise I wont! :)

[@pastelhotmess9299]

Alec Benjamin dude you dream while making music I dream while I listen to it we think the same way a bit

[@faybryans8647]

I think it's so cool that you tell people on your inspiration to songs, you don't really get that from other singers. This song has such an amazing story behind it! Love you :)

[@annajackson1363]

How is it that I can't manage to keep up with homework, or my phone, but I can manage to watch every video you come out with literally the day it comes out???

[@keikokamal8961]

I'm just like: Teach me how to write a song!!!

[@chaoticatom6150]

teach me too

[@Stellarixie]

@@chaoticatom6150 me too but I want a taco on the side from that dope taco truck thingy

[@leslienguyen2191]

alec this video is so cute, you're so cute omgg

[@StarryMidnight]

I'm crying cuz Alec's voice and face is so cute

[@TwentyPaphonies]

If you ever go on tour, you should stop by in Portland or Eugene. I know that you definitely have a fanbase around this area :)

[@lauriem6352]

*tour Also, great to see you here, fren.

[@bonesladify]

Twenty Paphonies ooh I love your channel

[@violethallwss1482]

I've seen you somewhere else I swear

[@spooky.dorito]

Hi mom

[@user-wj9gw4wk2r]

Yesssss I'm from Portland and I would die if he went there 💙

[@lovebrewer8700]

How his mind works My imaginary friend committed suicide. I like it.

[@meatmonki]

"How long did it take you to create this master piece?" "30 minuets, then I ate tacos."

[@hannahloiacano4107]

"I don't really know what I'm doing" Me too Alec, me too.

[@theawkwarddolphin4752]

I was hungry so I ate something~ *Alec Benjamin 2016*

[@mementomori2334]

He's so down to Earth, I love his singing and talking voice, His music is amazing. Great job Alec

[@taylorjanecek7311]

Anyone else love Alec because of how he tries to interact with every one of his fans? Most musicians really forget about their fans, but no Alec shows us that he loves us.❤️😊

[@lucentdev]

lmao Alec's voice is so adorable when he sings, I thought he edits stuff in his audio but I guess I was wrong lol

[@anumkhan7981]

I love these videos! I love that u actually write ur songs and u have stories behind them.

[@tiffanygarretcerrada5195]

It's August of 2019 and I'm back here. "I built a friend" was the song that made me discover Alec Benjamin and I really love it! I can't stop going back here. Back then You didn't have much subscribers and I'm very happy now that more people are starting to recognize you and you're talent. And I hope more continue to do so! Thank you for all the lovely videos and songs!

[@no-ve5cw]

"i dont know what chord this is- i think its A, yeah it is A. I knew that." Yeslmao

[@dominiqueboy7113]

A hit song..I heard it just today because of AGT 2017...I hope would would be preforming on AGT with Merrick Hanna...thanks

[@lolpeeps7771]

“i see something , then i write about it” - me *closes eyes and sees a pigs nose*

[@dannyrivera5401]

I am so glad to have found you. You're livestream was on the explore page of my instagram and your voice is amazing! It's so great that you're so good at expressing yourself so young it gives a whole new side and stories that you don't really hear so it's great that your stories can be so nostalgic, emotional and relatable for younger audiences. Just thank you.

[@mariamkhaled5526]

I always love the backstories! It's so fun learning and seeing the writing process! And besides the song is AMAZING!❤️

[@gabbylongoria6834]

This is amazing, I can so relate to you with the piano haha, I do that all the time.

[@chilbongers]

IT’S AMAZING HOW HIS VOICE JUST TRANSITIONS LIKE THAT OMFG

[@karis3145]

I just found you today going through some top live streams on instagram and I'm so glad I did. This is one of the songs you played and I just loved it so much, I love your voice and you seem so genuine. I will definitely be listening to you more often :) I hope you get all the attention you deserve soon. All the best xo

[@broghanohearn8797]

Going through and rewatching all your videos :) Love you so much Alec.

[@allen8232]

Pure talent

[@erlynvelasco3589]

Im just new here and then i didnt thought that he has a big and low voice but i was in shock when he just started singing OMG definitely subscribing

[@jaynaweiss8195]

I love these type of videos and seeing the story unfold. It's truly beautiful.

[@jessguillen7874]

I've been waiting for this :') Simply Amazing!

[@clide570]

Hey Man, I've heard a couple of your songs, and I have no idea of your background but with all my years of music I can tell talent, you're gonna go far kid. I would take on Piano as an actual instrument to learn, as well as guitar. I would learn all your scales not just major, but minor, diminished, half diminished, etc. I would also learn your chords. Practice and you'll go sooooo far

[@deishaclark1935]

If someone asked me which of your songs was my favorite, I'd freak out, because everyone of them in their own way is amazing. You're not just a singer with amazing talents, you're a human who has feelings and can actually relate to people. I love you and your music, please keep up doing what you're doing Alec, you're so amazing!❤❤

[@cutebae882]

Deisha Clark i

[@mckennaanderson7681]

This was so cool! That's literally how I usually write my songs too and then my friends are asking me all these questions and I have to explain my story as well. I love your music, you're honestly one of my favorite singers and I'm just in love with how your voice sounds

[@payisthename]

The song is very moving. It brings me to tears every time. You are truly talented.

[@morgandooley3844]

I love ur songs! (My name is Brooklyn, but this is my moms account🤣) I like how you just go along with what in ur head, instead of always basing it on something

[@johncarrera8654]

Who's here because of Americas got talent

[@GlucoseGarbage]

John Carrera me

[@johncarrera8654]

Cryptonical 😏

[@raphaelsarto7777]

mee!!! because of Merrick Hanna hahahah XD

[@cheiraemerylcappal7218]

Merrick Hanna was so good!

[@darcii546]

John Carrera me ahah merrrick

[@HeatGirl0027]

These are honestly my favorite videos! Seeing and hearing your creative process is so interesting and amazing!

[@kathrynengel6998]

i can't get over how you write your songs! i'm a singer as well, i wanted to start posting a while back but never did. i love how we write songs the same way, i'm a spacial thinker and i just close my eyes and think of something inspiring and cool. you and me both start out with a piano in front of us instead of a studio and end up with a song and i love your music so much!

[@emilyencinias1220]

My brother does the same this as you for the piano/keyboard. He just kind of 'wigs it'

[@Star_Jewel]

You mean wings it lol

[@carau9676]

lol and he was hungry so he ate something

[@fatemehjafari4360]

wow love this. as an author, I can exactly identify the emotions you have explained about writing this or other songs. it's just sometimes so hard to limit those pure emotions that comes from the heart and the soul and even the universe, to just try to qualify them as words and write in the paper. I was also inspired after watching a video in KZbin from American got talent that a 12 years old boy was amazingly dancing with your pure feeling song, and then I just listened to it over and over again and I was broken because of a friend, so I honestly made a plastic friend like in the song :)) as Lara Fabian said: it's impossible to explain how you genuinely write your song. something happens that I can't say with words. it's just like something crosses my body, a melody comes out of me, and then suddenly that melody speaks. there is something magical about that, something that you can't explain that goes throw you like a storm like something blusseming and like what do we feel in breathing and in life ! and I love your works so much and keep going dear Alec. wish love and support and success for you during your meaningful life ❤

[@KHBeautyXI]

these are so cool dude i love seeing what ur thinking about when ur writing a song luv uuuu

[@nazninritu9952]

How do u change ur voice while singing?!🤤😱😱

[@meganlance7583]

I don't know either I'm trying to figure that out too

[@littlecuttycatmarlene2998]

Who is a fan of Alec?

[@jadejones8239]

I really love these behind the story videos :) love you

[@anarorvik7981]

I am literally gonna be commenting on all your songs because they are all AMAZING❤️

[@abbigailmarie2142]

I cried so much listening to this song it is so filled with emotion I love it so much💘💘

[@akiraka6475]

I did to 😢😢😢😭

[@avarichardson3411]

“In 30 minutes I had most of it done, then I got hungry and ate something” Can relate

[@pandapandapanda5095]

Wow this is incredible, love hearing how you come up with these songs it's so intriguing and amazing. I love the way you write these. I sometimes write songs but then give up because I just don't know if it goes or sound right. I just like the way you can use anything and make it sound good. Your actually inspiring me to do the same and see where it goes WITHOUT giving up on the idea aha.

[@bevbrown9569]

hes so creative it warms my heart honestly I also love that he doesn't just focus on himself.

[@d9minique]

I love how he talks so quickly and jumps from one thing to another as if he has ADHD, it's cute haha

[@gorgonmedusa5801]

Doll Face ikr...

[@milhk]

super fascinating!!! you seem like such a nice and genuine person tbh, definitely gonna keep up with your work!!! 💜

[@pocewar]

This song is truly beautiful, every aspect of it. And regarding its story (as usually happens with songs lyrics) the beauty of it is you can give multiple interpretations to it. Mine is a less tragic one, and yet still sad. For me is about turning into an adult, leaving behind that childhood you (hopefully) adored and enjoyed so much, changing it for all the new experiences that come when growing up. In those cases you will have fond memories of your child-self, even though he/she will not be there anymore.

[@reinbowskittlez8331]

I am so glad that I found your channel!! I am in love with every song I listen to, although I've only listened to two songs so far.. I love how you explain your songs, and i almost cried listing to "I Built a Friend!!"

[@lancemarshall5170]

Every song ive listened to by you is incredible. the thought process behind your songs is beautiful. I catch you on live a lot on Insta, I hope you know how much your fans love and appreciate your music.

[@leahrichards3432]

I LOVE your music. This song always makes me cry - very good job.

[@aminos7929]

I just love rewatching your music videos

[@yearroundautumn]

your songs really hit home with me and i like that. To be able to have that connection to someone elses art

[@terribell3561]

the first time i found a song by you i listened to it over a milon times and now i can sing almost all of your songs

[@Marinaaa62]

I'm obsessed with this song, simply amazing! Your art brought me to tears thank you for sharing your gift!!

[@melianaskl8522]

love ur songs dude, keep creating!!

[@Hotdogfanatic]

Love love love these ❤️

[@heythereimmaddie]

i love your music so much and i just started listening to your songs recently. Your voice is so soothing

[@Molleigh13]

Can't stop listening to the song. It's so beautiful!!

[@krazyki3]

Your so different to any other singers I've ever seen and that's why I LOVE YOU 😭❤️

[@Zippy15]

I always thought this song had some deep meaning and the fact that it doesn't honestly makes it even better.

[@KitsuiAkira]

You're so adorable omg hahhaha I love how you write songs, and I love this particular song as well//

[@crystalanimals]

I started off with paper crowns a few months ago and then I started to listen to his others! All of his songs are just amazing.

[@fionamortensen9421]

I love it when you do these !!! this is my favourite song it's just amazing !! I love everything you put out !!!

[@jeffsfort]

Such an emotional song too. Gives a little life lesson about growing up... I'm glad you wrote it.

[@AiWarning]

I recently discovered your music and now I'm just watching all your videos and you seem like such a nice person, makes the music all the better to listen to.

[@sarahlanders8399]

I love how his voice is low when he talks and it gets higher when he sings 😍😍😍

[@bonniemenard4108]

ikr

[@omgkawikapedia]

Simply put, this is a beautiful song and it gets me every time.

[@davidcaballero5236]

Fantastic song. Super humble and true to the writing process. This is the kinda stuff that keeps me going as a musician. Thanks man.