Ben Harper (born in Pomona, CA, on 28 October 1969) is an American Grammy-… Read Full Bio ↴Ben Harper (born in Pomona, CA, on 28 October 1969) is an American Grammy-winning singer and songwriter. As well as solo albums, he has recorded as Ben Harper and Tom Freund, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Ben Harper And The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, and Ben & Ellen Harper.

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'.

Burn One Down
Ben Harper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Let us burn one
From end to end
And pass it over
To me my friend
Burn it long, we'll burn it slow
To light me up before I go

If you don't like my fire

Then don't come around
'Cause I'm gonna burn one down
Yes I'm gonna burn one down

My choice is what I choose to do
And if I'm causing no harm
It shouldn't bother you
Your choice is who you choose to be
And if your causin' no harm
Then you're alright with me

If you don't like my fire
Then don't come around
'Cause I'm gonna burn one down
Yes I'm gonna burn one down

Herb the gift from the earth
And what's from the earth
Is of the greatest worth
So before you knock it try it first
You'll see it's a blessing
And it's not a curse

If you don't like my fire
Then don't come around

'Cause I'm gonna burn one down
Yes I'm gonna burn one, uh

Overall Meaning

The song Burn One Down by Ben Harper is an ode to the use of marijuana and the freedom of choice. The lyrics start by inviting someone to smoke with the singer, encouraging them to pass the joint around and burn it slowly. The goal is to get high before the singer has to leave, and the act of smoking together is seen as a bonding experience between friends. However, the lyrics also make it clear that this is not for everyone, and if someone does not like the "fire," they should stay away.

The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of personal choice and the harmlessness of smoking marijuana. The singer states that if he is not causing any harm, others should not be bothered by his choice to smoke. He also acknowledges that everyone has the right to choose who they want to be, and as long as they are not harming anyone, they should be respected.

The last verse of the song is a defense of the use of marijuana as a natural gift from the earth. The singer states that what is natural is of the greatest worth, and that before judging or rejecting something, one should try it first to see its benefits. The lyrics suggest that marijuana should be seen as a blessing and not as a curse, and it is a gift that should be appreciated and respected.

Line by Line Meaning

Let us burn one
Let's light up a joint

From end to end
Light it up completely

And pass it over
Hand it over to me

To me my friend
Addressing the person he's handing the joint to as friend

Burn it long, we'll burn it slow
Take our time smoking the joint

To light me up before I go
Smoke the joint before leaving

If you don't like my fire
If you don't like me smoking weed

Then don't come around
Stay away from me

'Cause I'm gonna burn one down
I'm going to smoke weed regardless of other's opinions

Yes I'm gonna burn one down
Reiteration of his intention to smoke weed

My choice is what I choose to do
I have the right to make my own choices