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'.
Diamonds On the Inside
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her name was truth
She was a horrible liar
She couldn't spend one day alone
But she couldn't be satisfied
When you have everything
She made herself
A bed of nails
And she's plannin' on puttin' it to use
'Cause she had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
Diamonds
A candle throws its light into the darkness
In a nasty world,so shines the good deed
Make sure the fortune, that you seek
Is the fortune you need
So tell me why, the first to ask, is the last to give, every time
What you say and do not mean
Follow too close behind
'Cause she had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds on the inside
Diamonds
Like a soldier standing long under fire
Any change comes as a relief
Let the giver's name remain unspoken
For she is just a generous thief
But she had diamonds on the inside
'Cause she had diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds
Oh diamonds
She had diamonds
She wore diamonds
Diamonds
The lyrics to Ben Harper's song Diamonds On the Inside depict a girl named Truth who seems to be living a life of contradiction. She is portrayed as a "horrible liar" but also someone who cannot be alone and always seeks satisfaction. She has everything, but still feels like she has everything to lose. It is suggested that she has created her own difficulties by making a "bed of nails" and she seems to be determined to use it.
However, despite all of this, Truth has something special within her that is worth celebrating. "She had diamonds on the inside" - this line is repeated throughout the song, with the emphasis on the word "had". This suggests that Truth may have lost her way, but that she still has something inside of her that is valuable and worth recognizing. The lyrics then go on to urge the listener to seek the right kind of fortune and to be genuine in their words and actions. The song seems to be a call to recognize the good in the world even in the midst of all the negativity and chaos.
Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of recognizing the value and worth of individuals even when they are struggling or seem to be going through difficult times. It urges the listener to seek out the good in others and in themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I knew a girl
I once met a girl
Her name was truth
She epitomized honesty
She was a horrible liar
Contrary to her name, she was not honest
She couldn't spend one day alone
She was not comfortable with solitude
But she couldn't be satisfied
Nothing could satisfy her
When you have everything
In the face of abundance
You have everything to lose
There is a lot at stake
She made herself
She put herself in a situation
A bed of nails
A painful predicament
And she's plannin' on puttin' it to use
She intends to take advantage of it
'Cause she had diamonds on the inside
Despite her struggles, she had something valuable within her
A candle throws its light into the darkness
Even the smallest good deed can have an impact in a dark world
In a nasty world,so shines the good deed
In a world with lots of evil, good deeds stand out
Make sure the fortune, that you seek
Be mindful of what you are pursuing
Is the fortune you need
Make sure it's what truly matters to you
So tell me why, the first to ask, is the last to give, every time
It's puzzling why those who ask for help are usually the least likely to give it
What you say and do not mean
Being dishonest creates distrust
Follow too close behind
It's easy for words and actions to contradict each other
'Cause she had diamonds on the inside
Despite this world's imperfections, she had valuable qualities within her
Like a soldier standing long under fire
Like a brave soldier enduring hardships
Any change comes as a relief
Any relief, no matter how small, is welcome
Let the giver's name remain unspoken
True generosity is selfless and anonymous
For she is just a generous thief
Perhaps, the most giving people are those who give while taking nothing in return
But she had diamonds on the inside
Despite her struggles, she had something valuable within her
'Cause she had diamonds on the inside
She had something valuable within her
She wore diamonds on the inside
Her valuable traits were evident to those who knew her well
Diamonds
A metaphor for her valuable traits
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Ben C. Harper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@quadman2005
21 years later and still one of the best songs
@CornfedKillerDude1
"When you have everything...you have everything to lose." No truer words have ever been written. And Ben is just awesome!
@anthonydanaher2146
man is most dangerous when he has nothing to lose also
@AlexKeith7
This song seems easy to play, but the groove and the expression that Ben puts on his guitar are simply unique. Amazing groove.
@SquiggyWigginz
I played the djembe to him playing this on the party patio after party at 97x WOXY radio back in the 90s. We passed around a big joint and a few bowls and life was good. We had no worries that night. Just a great time. I wish you all could have been there. It was about 5 of us.
@jimnelson5842
This song like many other he has written is gold. This man is what song writing should be.
@leduc7912
This track feels so much like the 2000s, looking backwards it was a good time
@MegaDiva1999
I don't think I could like Ben Harper more.So versatile, raw and accomplished. Always hits me
@massrunner
"make sure that the fortune that you seek is the fortune that you need"....... OMG too beuatiful and insightful. Thank you, Ben,
@kelley.
Nostalgia da adolescência. Ben Harper e Jack Johnson são os que mais ouço do Surf Music desde 2007. 🙌