Michael Jackson's hit single "Ben" was released on this day in 1972. The theme song to a horror film of the same name, "Ben" was originally supposed to be performed by Donny Osmond, but he was on tour when the track was to be recorded, resulting in Berry Gordy successfully lobbying for Michael Jackson to step in. Since the movie was about a boy and his pet rat, and Michael was known to collect exotic pets including a number of rats, the song and the singer made a perfect pair. The song was MJ's