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'.
Excuse Me Mister
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you have the time
Or are you so important
That it stands still for you
Excuse me Mr. won't you
Lend me your ear
Or are you not only blind
Excuse me Mr., but
Isn't that your oil in the sea
And the pollution in the air Mr.
Whose could that be
So excuse me Mr.
But I'm a mister too
And you're givin' Mr. a bad name
Mr. like you
So I'm taking the Mr.
From out in front of your name
'Cause it's a Mr. like you
That puts the rest of us to shame
It's a Mr. like you
That puts the rest of us to shame
And I've, I have seen enough, I've seen enough to know
That I've seen too much
Excuse me Mr.
Can't you see the children dying
You say that you can't help them
Mr. you're not even trying
Excuse me Mr.
Just take a look around
Oh Mr. just look up
And you will, you will see it comin' down
Excuse me Mr.
But I'm a, I'm a mister too
And you're givin' Mr. a bad name
Mr. like you
So I'm taking the Mr.
From out in front of your name
'Cause it's a Mr. like you
That puts the rest of us to shame
It's a Mr. like you
That puts the rest of us to shame
And I've seen enough, I have seen and I have seen
I have seen enough to know
That I've seen too much
I've seen enough, I have seen enough, to know that I have seen too much
See 'cause Mr. when you're rattling
On heaven's gate
Let me tell you Mr.
By then it is too late
'Cause Mr. when you get there
They don't ask, they don't ask what you saved
All they'll want to know, Mr.
Is what you gave
So excuse me Mr.
But I'm a mister too
And you're givin' Mr. a bad name
Mr. like you
So I'm taking the Mr.
From out in front of your name
'Cause it's a Mr. like you
That puts the rest of us to shame
It's a Mr. like you
That puts the rest of us to shame
The song "Excuse Me Mr." by Ben Harper is a protest song that criticizes the apathy and inaction of those in power towards major global issues such as pollution, child mortality and social inequality. The song is composed of three stanzas that convey Harper's frustration towards the titular Mr. who he believes is too preoccupied with their wealth and privileges to care about important social issues. The opening stanza begins with an incisive question, "Do you have the time, or are you so important that it stands still for you?". It's a rhetorical question, with an implied critical tone about the selfishness of the person being addressed.
The second stanza speaks about issues of environmental pollution and natural resource exploitation. Harper directs our attention to the oil spills in the oceans, air pollution and lack of care for the environment. He asks: "Isn't that your oil in the sea/And the pollution in the air Mr./Whose could that be". The final stanza speaks directly to the idea of privilege, with Harper reminding us that we are all simply human and must work together for change. The song culminates with a call to action, stating that time is running out and that our actions now will be all that matters in the end.
Overall, the song is a reflection of the social and environmental issues of the time and still endures today as an anthem for those who value social justice and environmental protection. The song's visceral lyrics, coupled with a catchy, rhythm-heavy arrangement serve the song's purpose to provoke thought and discussion about important issues in society.
Line by Line Meaning
Excuse me Mr.
Addressing a person who may have some level of superiority
Do you have the time
Asking if the person has time to spare
Or are you so important
Questioning whether the person is too busy to give attention to another person
That it stands still for you
Suggesting that the person may be self-centered and thinks the world revolves around them
Lend me your ear
Asking the person to listen and pay attention
Or are you not only blind
Asking whether the person is oblivious to the problems in the world
But do you not hear
Asking whether the person is unwilling to listen and understand
Isn't that your oil in the sea
Asking the person to take responsibility for their actions
And the pollution in the air Mr.
Asking the person to recognize the harm they are causing to the environment
Whose could that be
Questioning who else could be responsible besides the person being addressed
But I'm a mister too
Asserting equality and shared responsibility
And you're givin' Mr. a bad name
Blaming the addressed person for tarnishing the reputation of men or society
So I'm taking the Mr.
Removing the title of Mr. from the addressed person
From out in front of your name
Removing the title that comes before the person's name
'Cause it's a Mr. like you
Explaining that the addressed person is the one causing the problem
That puts the rest of us to shame
Suggesting that the addressed person's behavior is making everyone else look bad
And I've seen enough, I've seen enough to know
Stating that the person has witnessed too much of the addressed person's behavior
That I've seen too much
Realizing that the addressed person's behavior is unacceptable
Can't you see the children dying
Pointing out the severity of the problem
You say that you can't help them
Expressing disappointment in the addressed person's lack of action
Just take a look around
Urging the person to observe the world and its problems
Oh Mr. just look up
Suggesting that the addressed person needs to broaden their perspective
And you will, you will see it comin' down
Implying that if the addressed person pays attention, they will see the consequences of their actions
When you're rattling on heaven's gate
Anticipating the addressed person's final judgment
By then it is too late
Stating that by that point, the damage has already been done
They don't ask, they don't ask what you saved
Suggesting that what one accumulates in life is irrelevant in the end
All they'll want to know, Mr.
Imploring the addressed person to consider what really matters
Is what you gave
Stating that what one contributes to the world is what truly matters
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BEN HARPER, JEAN PIERRE PLUNIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind