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'.
Fight For Your Mind
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then live it up
And if you're gonna give
Then give it up
If you're gonna walk the earth
Then walk it proud
And if you're gonna say the word
You got to say it loud
You got to fight for your mind
You got to fight for your mind
While you got the time
You got to fight for your mind
If you're gonna build a house
Make it a home
If you're gonna pull some weight
Pull your own
If you're gonna help
Reach out your hand
If you're getting up
Then take a stand
You got to fight for your mind
You got to fight for your mind
While you got the time
You got to fight for your mind
If you're gonna step
Step on in
If you're gonna finish
You got to begin
Don't you fear
What you don't know
Just let that be
Your room to grow
You got to fight for your mind
You got to fight for your mind
While you got the time
You got to fight for your mind
The lyrics of Ben Harper's song "Fight Your Mind" encourage listeners to live their lives authentically, boldly, and with purpose. The song begins by highlighting the importance of taking action and giving one's all, whether it be in a personal relationship or in one's life’s work. Harper encourages listeners to take pride in their accomplishments and to speak their truth without hesitation. He emphasizes the importance of standing up for oneself and fighting for what is right.
The second verse is a call to self-reliance and personal responsibility. Harper reminds listeners that if they are going to build something, they should do it with care, attention, and a sense of ownership. He also encourages listeners to be generous and help others, whether it be in the form of a simple gesture or a grander act of charity. Finally, Harper reminds listeners that making change requires action and that standing up for oneself and others is often the first step towards progress.
The final verse encourages listeners to embrace new experiences and to face their fears. Harper reminds them that growth often happens outside of one's comfort zone and that it is important to keep learning and exploring new possibilities. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase, "you got to fight for your mind," emphasizing the importance of protecting one's mental health and well-being, as well as encouraging listeners to be determined, focused and resilient in the face of life’s challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're gonna live
If you're going to be alive
Then live it up
Then enjoy your life to the fullest
And if you're gonna give
And if you're going to be generous
Then give it up
Then give everything you have
If you're gonna walk the earth
If you're going to exist on this planet
Then walk it proud
Then walk with confidence and self-respect
And if you're gonna say the word
And if you're going to speak
You got to say it loud
You need to speak with determination and strength
You got to fight for your mind
You need to prioritize mental health and well-being
You got to fight for your mind
You need to prioritize mental health and well-being
While you got the time
While there's still a chance to protect your mental health
You got to fight for your mind
You need to prioritize mental health and well-being
If you're gonna build a house
If you're going to construct a home
Make it a home
Make it a comfortable and welcoming place
If you're gonna pull some weight
If you're going to contribute to society
Pull your own
Do it on your own without relying on others
If you're gonna help
If you're going to assist others
Reach out your hand
Extend your help
If you're getting up
If you're going to rise
Then take a stand
Then take a firm position on a particular issue
If you're gonna step
If you're going to move forward
Step on in
Step without hesitation
If you're gonna finish
If you're going to complete
You got to begin
You must start
Don't you fear
Don't be afraid
What you don't know
What you're not aware of
Just let that be
Just accept that fact
Your room to grow
Your opportunity to learn and progress
You got to fight for your mind
You need to prioritize mental health and well-being
You got to fight for your mind
You need to prioritize mental health and well-being
While you got the time
While there's still a chance to protect your mental health
You got to fight for your mind
You need to prioritize mental health and well-being
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: BEN HARPER, JUAN DWAYNE NELSON, LEON MOBLEY, OLIVER FRANCIS CHARLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind