Harper grew up listening to blues, folk, soul, RnB, and reggae. Harper's blend of groove-laden funky soul and folky handcrafted acoustics helped him to gain cult status during the course of the 1990s and widespread attention toward the end of the decade. Harper combines elements of classic folk singers, blues revivalists and jam bands and is embraced by critics and college kids alike. Harper's body of work sells consistently and he tours constantly, building a solid, dedicated fan base.
Harper began playing guitar as a child in his hometown of Claremont, California (in California's Inland Empire). He eventually specialized in the acoustic slide guitar (Weissenborn guitars). As a young man, he recorded an LP (Pleasure and Pain) with fellow folk guitarist Tom Freund. After this limited edition record, Harper got a record deal with Virgin Records, who released his debut album, Welcome to the Cruel World (1994).
This was followed by the incendiary Fight For Your Mind (1995) which became a college radio favorite and generated an abundance of songs which still fill his set list to this day.
In 1999 at the Santa Barbara Bowl, Harper met Jack Johnson, who was unknown at the time and had not recorded. Harper obtained a demo tape of 12 of Johnson's songs that he forwarded to his producer, J.P. Plunier, with whom Johnson recorded his first album.
From early on in his career, his music received more attention in Europe than it did in his home country. While he was a well-known and respected figure in the States, in countries like France, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, and The Netherlands he was a star, receiving a great deal of airplay and critical acclaim. His popularity in Europe is such that he was French Rolling Stone Magazine's "Artist of the Year" (Artiste De L'Année) in 2003, and his tour that year for Diamonds on the Inside played to packed arenas across the continent.
In 2004, Harper recorded the album "There Will Be a Light " as the collaboration Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama.
In October 2004, Harper participated in the Vote for Change concert tour organised to benefit Moveon.org and encourage people in the swing states to vote during the 2004 U.S. presidential election.
Over the summer of 2005, when the Zooma tour scheduled with Trey Anastasio and various side stage performers was cancelled, Harper took on a tour of more private clubs/venues such as the Avalon Ballroom in Boston, the Tabernacle in Atlanta, and a full-band acoustic performance at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. This series of concerts saw the debut of a number of new Harper songs, such as "Get It Like You Like It" and "Dressed In Black."
In 2006, Harper released the double album Both Sides of the Gun which debuted at #7 on the Billboard charts.
Next Harper did a worldwide tour, with support from Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley on the North American leg.
In 2007, Harper released the album Lifeline, recorded in Paris just after his tour.
In 2009, Harper recorded the album "White Lies for Dark Times", as the collaboration Ben Harper and Relentless7.
In 2014, Harper recorded the album "Childhood Home" as the collaboration Ben & Ellen Harper.
In 2018, Harper recorded the album "No Mercy in This Land" as the collaboration Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite. At the 40th Blues Music Awards ceremony, Harper's joint composition with Charlie Musselwhite, "No Mercy In This Land", was named as 'Song of the Year'.
Both Sides Of The Gun
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Archaic doctrine no longer serve us
Now we're left as silent witnesses
We don't know quite what this is
Other than a war that can't be won
I feel like I'm crowded, I can't get out
World keeps on filling me up with doubt
When you're trapped you got no voice
Where you're born you got no choice
Other than to go and take you some
One dimensional fool
In a three dimensional world
Politics, it's a drag
They put one foot in the grave
And the other on the flag
Systems rotten to the core
Young and old deserve much more
Than struggling every day until you're done
Tension
Too much to mention
Living on both sides of the gun
In Ben Harper's song "Both Sides of the Gun," he expresses a deep frustration with the state of society today. He begins by stating that living in these days is making him nervous, indicating that something feels off or wrong in our current world. He suggests that the archaic doctrine which used to guide us is no longer relevant, leaving us without a clear sense of direction. Instead, we are now left as silent witnesses to an ongoing war that cannot be won. This war could be taken to mean either the literal wars raging around the world, or perhaps a more metaphorical battle between different ideologies and belief systems.
As the song continues, Harper explores feelings of entrapment and disillusionment. He feels crowded and unable to escape the doubts and worries that fill his mind. As he sees it, those who are born into certain circumstances have no real choice or agency in their lives. This leads to a sense of hopelessness and a desire to take matters into one's own hands - "other than to go and take you some." Essentially, Harper is saying that when you feel trapped and powerless, it's easy to resort to violence or other extreme actions in order to reclaim a sense of agency or control.
Overall, "Both Sides of the Gun" is a powerful commentary on the state of the world today. Harper highlights the various ways in which we can feel helpless and frustrated by the larger systems and structures that govern our lives. The song also suggests that unless we find a way to address our underlying feelings of powerlessness and despair, we may never be able to break free from the vicious cycle of violence and conflict that seems to plague our world.
Line by Line Meaning
Living these days is making me nervous
I am becoming increasingly anxious about the current state of affairs
Archaic doctrine no longer serve us
Traditional beliefs and practices are no longer applicable in our modern times
Now we're left as silent witnesses
We are powerless and unable to speak out against the injustices we see
We don't know quite what this is
We are unsure of what exactly is happening around us
Other than a war that can't be won
Other than being engaged in an unwinnable struggle
I feel like I'm crowded, I can't get out
I feel suffocated and trapped with no way out
World keeps on filling me up with doubt
The world is continually causing me to question everything
When you're trapped you got no voice
When you are confined, you are unable to express yourself
Where you're born you got no choice
Where you are born determines your options and opportunities
Other than to go and take you some
Other than take action to change your situation
One dimensional fool
A fool who views the world in a simplistic, narrow-minded way
In a three dimensional world
In a complex, multi-faceted world with many different perspectives
Politics, it's a drag
Politics is tedious and boring
They put one foot in the grave
Politicians are increasingly out of touch and near the end of their lives
And the other on the flag
Politicians are also overly focused on their nationalist beliefs
Systems rotten to the core
The systems that are in place are corrupt and irreparable to the very core
Young and old deserve much more
Both young and old deserve a better future
Than struggling every day until you're done
Instead of the daily struggle until one's life is over
Tension
There is a great deal of stress and unease
Too much to mention
The causes of this tension are too numerous to state
Living on both sides of the gun
Existing in a state of conflict, unsure which side one is on
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BEN C HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind