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'.
Fly one Time
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is pounding at my door
Screaming for more
In a world that owes you nothing
You give everything
Everything
Now I'm caught in between
And what I may never find
So fly one time
Fly one time
Standing
At the edge of your life
At the edge of our lives
Don't hold on, there's no fighting back the years
It's so hard to unlearn fears
Now that you're caught between
What you can't leave behind
And all that you may never find
So fly, just fly
Just fly one time
I see you so clearly, so clearly up so high
I see you up so clearly, up so clearly high
Now you're caught in between
What you can't leave behind
And what we may never find
So fly, so fly one time
So clearly, so clearly
So high, fly one time
Just fly one time
If you'd fly one time
The lyrics to Ben Harper and Relentless7's song "Fly One Time" speak to the inevitability of life and the struggles of moving on from our past. The first verse acknowledges the relentless nature of time and how we are always pushed forward, even when we may not be ready. In this world, we often give so much of ourselves without receiving anything in return. The repetition of the word "everything" emphasizes the sacrifice we make for others.
The chorus presents a choice: to hold on to what we know or to take a leap of faith and fly. The line "What I can't leave behind and what I may never find" suggests that sometimes we hold on to the past because it's familiar, but by doing so we may miss out on opportunities for growth and new experiences. The phrase "Fly one time" encourages the listener to take that chance and try something new.
The second verse speaks to the fear and difficulty that comes with letting go of the past. The line "It's so hard to unlearn fears" reminds us that breaking free from old habits and thought patterns can be challenging. But the chorus repeats again, reinforcing the idea that we can't let our fears hold us back from reaching for something new and better.
Overall, "Fly One Time" is a song about the struggles of personal growth and the courage it takes to move forward in life. The lyrics encourage us to embrace the uncertainty of the future and take chances rather than staying stagnant in the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Inevitability
The unavoidability of the future.
Is pounding at my door
The certainty of what's coming is almost here.
Screaming for more
The future demands even more certainty than what we have at present.
In a world that owes you nothing
Expect nothing to be given to you in this world.
You give everything
Despite not being promised anything in return, you still offer the world everything you have.
Now I'm caught in between
I find myself torn between two sides of an issue.
What I can't leave behind
The thing or person that I am attached to and cannot move beyond.
And what I may never find
The thing or person that I may never achieve or locate.
So fly one time
Take a chance and fly towards the unknown.
Standing
Being present.
At the edge of your life
At a point where major life-changing decisions must be made.
At the edge of our lives
A turning point where a choice must be made that will change multiple lives.
Don't hold on, there's no fighting back the years
Don't attempt to stop time or the aging process as it is an inevitable part of life.
It's so hard to unlearn fears
Challenging or difficult to overcome personal fears.
I see you so clearly, so clearly up so high
I envision you as someone who has attained a high level of success.
Now you're caught in between
You too find yourself torn between two sides of an issue.
And all that you may never find
Things or people that you may never achieve or locate.
So fly, just fly
Take a risk and fly towards the unknown.
So clearly, so clearly
Very evident.
So high, fly one time
Reach for incredible heights but do not waste time staying there because life moves forward.
Just fly one time
Don't be afraid to take chances and fly towards your goals.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BEN C HARPER, JASON MOZERSKY, JESSE INGALLS, JORDAN RICHARDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tyler Coogan
The world can be a smelly dumpster fire.. this song and video are PURE JOY , thank you ,….dear Astro players , just win baby. sincerely miss you boys, love Uncle Tyler
Ross Cairns
And Ben Harper does it again...he never ceases to amaze me. Awesome song and video...and that riff is just too rad.
Tyler Coogan
Thank you this is pure joy I appreciate it miss you boys
Squeege85
One of Ben's newer tunes that I've just fallen in love with. He's really come into his own as a musician and just keeps getting better and better. I love the way he sings, it's infectious. He's got a great voice.
Victor De la Torre
Such an awesome song, been a Ben Harper fan for a long time, this is one of his best!!
Ryan McNEW
After all these years, it's still a great and inspiring song!
Gerome Trinidad
Since first day I've heard this I fell in love with it, so inspirational, thank you dad and sister missed you ❤️
Helder Barros
Essa música e esse clip é uma das coisas mais linda que eu já ouvi/vi.
yaleoboub
Linkin park un thé end
Natahlia Smith
Just brings out pure joy and emotion every time.