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'.
Do It For You Do It For Us
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every letter, bold and dark
So that every time I breath
You can know you're bringing me relief
I have stalked those hollow halls of lust
I do it for you, I do it for us
The trinity of honor, love, and trust
A mirror in the hand
Is worth ten from afar
Come close enough so I can feel you breathe
And see for who you truly are
I have stalked those hollow halls of lust
Do it for you, do it for us
The sunset burns of flaming ash and dust
I do it for you, I do it for us
I do it for you
I have stalked those hollow halls of lust
I do it for you, do it for us
The trinity of honor, love, and trust
I do it for you, do it for us
Do it for you
In the song Do It For You Do It For Us, Ben Harper sings about his deep love and commitment to his partner. He starts by saying that he would tattoo her name across his heart, with every letter bold and dark, so that every time he breathes, she would know that she brings him relief. This is a strong metaphor for the depth of his feelings for her, that he would literally inscribe her name on his body.
He goes on to state that he has "stalked those hollow halls of lust", meaning that he has gone through difficult times and temptations, but he does it all for her and for their relationship. He believes that the trinity of honor, love, and trust is essential to their love and that he is committed to it for the both of them. In the lines "The sunset burns of flaming ash and dust, I do it for you, do it for us", he is perhaps saying that even in the midst of destruction and turmoil, he is still committed to their relationship.
The chorus repeats twice, emphasizing that he does everything for her and for them, no matter what challenges they may face. When he says "A mirror in the hand is worth ten from afar, come close enough so I can feel you breathe and see you for who you truly are", he is expressing his desire to be close to her, both physically and emotionally. He wants to be able to see her clearly, without any external influences, and to know her deeply.
Overall, the song is a declaration of love and dedication to a partner, despite any hardships that may come their way. It emphasizes the importance of honesty, trust, and commitment in a successful relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Tattoo your name across my heart
I feel so strongly about you that I want to permanently imprint your name on my heart
Every letter, bold and dark
I want to make sure that your name is visible and clear to me at all times
So that every time I breathe
You bring me a sense of calm and relief every time I think of you, which is often
You can know you're bringing me relief
I want you to know that you have a positive impact on my life and emotions
I have stalked those hollow halls of lust
I have been caught up in temptation and desire, but I am doing what's best for us by resisting and staying faithful
The trinity of honor, love, and trust
These three values are essential to our relationship and I will do whatever it takes to uphold them
A mirror in the hand
I want to see you up close and personal, not just through a reflection or from a distance
Is worth ten from afar
Being close to you is much more valuable to me than any faraway or superficial interactions
Come close enough so I can feel you breathe
I crave your physical proximity and want to experience your presence to the fullest
And see for who you truly are
I want to understand and appreciate every facet of your personality and character
The sunset burns of flaming ash and dust
Even through the difficult and painful moments in our relationship, I will persevere and remain committed
I do it for you, do it for us
Everything I do is for the benefit and success of our relationship, not just for myself
I do it for you
My actions and decisions are driven by my love and devotion to you
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BEN HARPER, JASON MOZERSKY, JESSE INGALLS, JORDAN RICHARDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind