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'.
Break Your Heart
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause it's all I get to do
I got so much to lose
You do too, you do too
We can walk side by side
You can run, you can't hide
The look in your eyes
If I was hoping I'd wish upon a star
If you let me I'd just love to break your heart,
Break your heart
Love conquers all, it's a matter of time
Call me a dreamer. I don't mind
Love conquers all it can happen any day
Call me a schemer I don't care
I've got patience I can wait
Call me fickle, call it fate
We can see where this could go
But you and I, we both know
If I was hoping I'd wish upon a star
If I was looking I'd know right where to start
If you let me I'd just love to break your heart,
Break your heart
In Ben Harper's song "Break Your Heart", the singer confesses his desire to win over the love of the woman he admires. The song starts with a melancholic tone where the singer expresses his longing to be with the woman as he has nothing to do but to look at her. As the song proceeds on, the singer assures the woman that they both have so much to lose if they don't explore their relationship, and he proposes to walk beside her, remain patient, and watch their love grow. The lyrics suggest that the singer is well aware that the woman has feelings for him too, and he is ready to risk her heart and break it to ultimately win her over.
The chorus "If you let me I'd just love to break your heart, break your heart" can be interpreted in various ways. It could suggest that the singer is willing to come on strong, overwhelm her indifferent heart and make her fall in love with him. Alternatively, the line can be interpreted as the singer trying to convince the woman that he is willing to take the risk of falling in love with her, even if he could get hurt eventually. The song's overall feel is both passionate and romantic, suggesting that the singer is ready to take the plunge and risk it all for love.
Line by Line Meaning
Here's to looking at you
I am admiring you from afar
'Cause it's all I get to do
I can only hope that one day we will be together
I got so much to lose
My heart is on the line and I am vulnerable
You do too, you do too
You also have a lot to lose if we fall in love
We can walk side by side
We can be companions and go through life together
You can run, you can't hide
Even if you try to avoid me, we will inevitably meet again
The look in your eyes
Your eyes reveal your true feelings
I know it's true, so do you
We both know that there is chemistry between us
If I was hoping I'd wish upon a star
I am hopeful that our love can blossom
If you let me I'd just love to break your heart
I am willing to take the risk of loving you, even if it ends in heartbreak
Break your heart
I am ready and willing to love you unconditionally
Love conquers all, it's a matter of time
True love will ultimately prevail if we give it time
Call me a dreamer. I don't mind
I am not afraid of dreaming big and following my heart
Love conquers all it can happen any day
Love can happen unexpectedly at any moment
Call me a schemer I don't care
I am willing to make plans and take actions to bring us closer together
I've got patience I can wait
I am willing to wait for you and for our love to grow
Call me fickle, call it fate
Some might call me indecisive, but I believe that our love was meant to be
We can see where this could go
We can envision a beautiful future together
But you and I, we both know
We both know that we need to take a chance on love
If I was looking I'd know right where to start
I know exactly how to win your heart
If you let me I'd just love to break your heart
I am so committed to loving you that I am ready to risk everything to be with you
Break your heart
I am confident in my love for you and I am ready for anything that comes our way
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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