"This Masquerade" is a song by Leon Russell, who wrote both its music and its lyrics. Russell recorded it in July 1972 for his album Carney on A&M, and it was issued as the B-side of the single "Tight Rope". His original version also appears on the soundtrack of William Friedkin's film Bug. Early cover versions followed quickly. Helen Reddy recorded it in 1972 for I Am Woman, and the Carpenters recorded it in 1973 for Now & Then, where it also served as the B-side of "Please Mr. Postman". Carmen McRae and Sergio Mendes with Brasil 77 (1974) also recorded it.
The version that made the song widely known is George Benson's 1976 recording, made with Jorge Dalto on piano for the album Breezin' (Warner Bros., produced by Tommy LiPuma). It was Benson's first big hit, reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, number three on the Hot Soul Singles chart and number 8 in Canada. It won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1977 and was also nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male. Versions of the song exist in soul, pop and jazz styles.
