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'.
Dust My Broom
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I believe I'll dust my broom
I believe
I believe I'll dust my broom
Girlfriend, you know the (black) man you've been lovin'
Girlfriend, can get my room
I'm gon' write a letter, telephone every town I know
He's not in West Helena, she must be in Claremont now
I'm gettin' up in the mornin'
I believe I'll dust my broom
I believe
I believe I'll dust my broom
Girlfriend, the black man you've been lovin'
Girlfriend, can get my room
I believe
I believe
I believe
I believe
Yes, I'm gettin' up in the mornin'
I believe I'll dust my broom
I believe
I believe I'll dust my broom
Girlfriend, the black man you've been lovin'
Girlfriend, can get my room
The lyrics to Ben Harper's song "Dust My Broom" are originally from a blues song by Robert Johnson. The song is about a man who realizes his girlfriend has been cheating on him with another man, who he refers to as "the black man." The first verse, "I believe I'll dust my broom," is a slang term meaning to hit the road or leave. In this context, it means the man is leaving his girlfriend and moving on from the relationship. He can't stand the thought of her being with another man, so he decides to leave and start anew. The second verse, "I'm gon' write a letter, telephone every town I know," suggests that the man is going to spread the news of his girlfriend's infidelity to everyone he knows. He wants to let people know what she has done so that they will not be fooled by her deceitful ways. The final verse repeats the original verse and confirms the man's decision to leave his girlfriend behind.
The lyrics to "Dust My Broom" express deep pain and betrayal felt by the singer. He has been cheated on, which has resulted in a sense of hopelessness and anger. The song is layered with both the desire to leave and to spread the news of his girlfriend's deception. The song is a journey of emotions that Johnson and later Harper expresses through the lyrics. The lyrics are a reminder of the hurtful effects of infidelity on people's lives, as well as the power of moving on and not letting oneself be held down by someone else's mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe
I am determined
I believe I'll dust my broom
I will pack up and leave
Girlfriend, you know the (black) man you've been lovin'
You have cheated on me with a black man
Girlfriend, can get my room
You can have the home we shared
I'm gon' write a letter, telephone every town I know
I will search for you everywhere
He's not in West Helena, she must be in Claremont now
You have moved away from West Helena to Claremont
I'm gettin' up in the mornin'
I am waking up early
Yes, I'm gettin' up in the mornin'
I am definitely waking up early
Contributed by Reagan K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@andreaandrea9674
So great sound!!! Thank's Ben: from Elmore James too!
@ioamoilblues85
Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!