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'.
Click Yo' Heels
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me know our love is real
Cause we're a long way from anywhere
But I can really feel it
I've been up, I've been down
I've been tossed all around
But I always seem to come down on my feet
So don't think I'm crazy if I wanna sing
'bout the good things life has in store
Cause we're a long way from anywhere
But I can really feel it
A long way from anywhere
Come on babe let down your hair
Let me know you really care
Cause we're a long way from anywhere
But I'm ready for your dare
I remember a man in an upstate town
Said, "you can't get there form here"
We all took it as a joke but it held like smoke
Now it's ringing in both my ears
I look up babe see the sky is rollin'
Time has come to carry on
Cause we're a long way from anywhere
But I can really feel it
We're a long way from any town
But I think we'll come around
I really feel alright
I really feel alright
Cause we're a long way from anywhere
Tonight
In Ben Harper's song Click Yo' Heels, we hear a message of love and hope despite being far away from the familiar surroundings. The repeated phrase "click yo' heels" is a reference to the iconic phrase from the Wizard of Oz, where the singer Dorothy clicks her heels three times to return to her home in Kansas. It represents a call to the person to show that their love is real, amid the uncertainty and distance.
Harper reminisces about the roller coaster ride of life in the lines, "I've been up, I've been down, I've been tossed all around, but I always seem to come down on my feet." He acknowledges the hardships, yet emphasizes his resilience to stand strong. As a result, he encourages his partner to let loose and embrace life's possibilities in the lyric, "Let down your hair, let me know you care."
The singer refers to a man in an upstate town, who had said, "you can't get there from here", as a joke. However, this phrase starts to make sense as Harper is reminded that they are a long way from anywhere. Yet, he remains optimistic about the future, talking about how they will come around and how he feels alright.
Overall, Click Yo' Heels conveys a hopeful message, urging the person to show their love and reminding them of the good things that life has to offer, no matter how far away they are from them.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on baby click yo' heels
Encouraging his partner to show affection and love.
Let me know our love is real
Asking for reassurance that their love is genuine.
Cause we're a long way from anywhere
Acknowledging that they are far from civilization or society.
But I can really feel it
Despite the distance, the love they share is palpable.
I've been up, I've been down
Expressing that he has experienced both highs and lows in life.
I've been tossed all around
Highlighting the idea that life has been unpredictable and turbulent.
But I always seem to come down on my feet
Despite the challenges, he has always managed to bounce back and land on his feet.
So don't think I'm crazy if I wanna sing
Emphasizing the importance of celebrating the good things in life.
'bout the good things life has in store
Acknowledging the positive experiences that life has to offer.
Come on babe let down your hair
Encouraging his partner to let loose and be themselves.
Let me know you really care
Asking for reassurance that their partner's feelings are genuine.
But I'm ready for your dare
Expressing openness to taking risks for his partner.
I remember a man in an upstate town
Recalling a warning about the difficulties of reaching their current location.
Said, "you can't get there from here"
The warning expressed the difficulty of reaching their current location from their starting point.
We all took it as a joke but it held like smoke
Initially, they didn't take the warning seriously, but it became more relevant over time.
Now it's ringing in both my ears
The warning has become more significant and impactful over time.
I look up babe see the sky is rollin'
Observing the beauty of nature and the constant changes in the world.
Time has come to carry on
Emphasizing the need to move forward and continue with life.
But I think we'll come around
Even though they are far away from civilization, he believes they will overcome the obstacles and find their way.
I really feel alright
Despite the challenges they face, he is content and optimistic about their future.
Cause we're a long way from anywhere
Repeating the idea of being far away from civilization or society.
Tonight
Emphasizing that he is focused on the present moment and enjoying it.
Contributed by Eli P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.