Bendiksen was born in Bergen, Norway. In the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, he was a major figure in Norwegian popular music. First, as a member of the group The Monn Keys, later as soloist and composer for other artists. Besides writing his own songs, he also translated many foreign hits into Norwegian, making them Norwegian hits. Arne Bendiksen took part in the Norwegian Eurovision Song Contest selections several times, both as an artist and as a songwriter. Three times he represented Norway in Eurovision as singer; in 1964 (Eurovision Song Contest 1964) with "Spiral" as soloist, in 1973 (Eurovision Song Contest 1973) with "Å, for et spill" and in 1974 (Eurovision Song Contest 1974) with "Hvor er du?". Four times he took part as composer, most memorable as songwriter for Åse Kleveland's "Intet er nytt under solen" in 1966 (Eurovision Song Contest), finishing a strong third.