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'.
Feel Love
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With our hands over each others heart
And we didn't waste a word
Grace is love undeserved
When you feel love
You remind me I can feel love
We sleep and share the same dream love
I've given up, I've given in
Given out and back again
Now that we're in from the cold
Our days are made of gold
Love you remind me
I can feel love
We sleep and share the same dream love
When we feel love
What has been lived
Can't be changed
But what we have lost
We can still, can still be reclaimed
And I won't, I won't let you down
When you feel love
You remind me, I can feel love
We sleep and share the same dream love
When we feel love
When you feel love
When we feel love
Yes we feel love, feel love
When we feel love
The song 'Feel Love' by Ben Harper expresses the beauty and power of love. The opening lines 'We stood in the dark, with our hands over each other's heart, and we didn't waste a word, grace is love undeserved' sets the tone for the rest of the song. The two lovers stand in the dark without saying a word, feeling the beautiful gift of love which they don't take for granted, knowing it's a blessing they don't deserve.
The chorus 'When you feel love, you remind me I can feel love. We sleep and share the same dream love. When we feel love' expresses how the feeling of love is contagious and when we share it with others, it multiplies. The act of sleeping, sharing the same dreams is symbolic of being united in love, a feeling that awakens something within us, a sense of connection and warmth that reminds us what it is to feel and be loved.
The beauty of the song is found in the last verse, where the singer acknowledges that what has been lost can still be regained, and he will not let his lover down. Love is not always easy, but it's worth fighting for, and together, they can reclaim what they've lost. In summary, the song is a beautiful tribute to the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
We stood in the dark
We were together in the dark with no light.
With our hands over each others heart
We were holding each other tightly and lovingly.
And we didn't waste a word
We were communicating through our soulful eyes and hearts, without speaking.
Grace is love undeserved
Being loved without deserving or asking for it is a grace.
When you feel love
The experience of feeling love is so strong.
You remind me I can feel love
When you feel love, it inspires me to feel it too.
We sleep and share the same dream love
We are united in our love, even while sleeping and dreaming.
I've given up, I've given in
I've surrendered myself to our love.
Given out and back again
I've given all my love and received it back.
Now that we're in from the cold
Now that we're together and our love is warm, we won't be alone anymore.
Our days are made of gold
Our lives are precious and full of love.
What has been lived
The events that have taken place in our lives.
Can't be changed
We can't change the past.
But what we have lost
What love we have lost.
We can still, can still be reclaimed
Love that has been lost can still be found and reignited.
And I won't, I won't let you down
I will never let you down or lose our love.
Yes we feel love, feel love
Yes, we feel the powerful love between us.
When we feel love
When we are in the midst of love, all is right with the world.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Benjamin Harper, Jason Mozersky, Jesse Ingalls, Jordan Richardson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind