Ben Harper (born in Pomona, CA, on 28 October 1969) is an American Grammy-… Read Full Bio ↴Ben Harper (born in Pomona, CA, on 28 October 1969) is an American Grammy-winning singer and songwriter. As well as solo albums, he has recorded as Ben Harper and Tom Freund, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Ben Harper And The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, and Ben & Ellen Harper.

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'.

Fool for a Lonesome Train
Ben Harper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's late and I can't sleep
I've made promises I can't keep
Cobblestones and broken bones
Has a kingdom but he's got
No home
Last night is still ringin' in my head
Like that lonesome whistle in
The rain

I'm a fool for a lonesome train

The lifetimes we've left behind
With strangers
Promises and lies both have
Their dangers
I just can't be wrong enough
And I can't hide for long enough
So far away but I still feel
Your pain

I'm a fool for a lonesome train
I'd try to say good-bye
But I never got your name
I'm a fool for a lonesome train

I'm a fool for a lonesome train
I'm your fool for a lonesome train
I know it sounds crazy but I'm

Painfully sane
I'm your fool for a lonesome train

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Fool for a Lonesome Train" by Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals express feelings of regret and pain. The singer is unable to sleep and admits to making promises he couldn't keep, suggesting that he has let someone down. The image of cobblestones and broken bones refers to a metaphorical journey, with the singer feeling lost and homeless despite having achieved some measure of success. The memory of the previous night lingers in the singer's mind, expressed through the repeated image of a lonesome whistle in the rain.

The singer suggests that he has left many lifetimes behind, that he has lived through a series of relationships with strangers, and that promises and lies both have their dangers. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and vulnerability, as the singer feels unable to hide from his past or the pain that he has caused others. Ultimately, the song suggests that the singer is a "fool for a lonesome train" - he is drawn to a life of loneliness and regret, unable to break free from his pain and the memories of the past.

Line by Line Meaning

It's late and I can't sleep
The singer is unable to sleep.

I've made promises I can't keep
The singer has made commitments that they are unable to fulfill.

Cobblestones and broken bones
Life has been tough and painful.

Has a kingdom but he's got no home
Despite having wealth or status, the artist feels dispossessed.

Last night is still ringin' in my head
The events of last night are still fresh in the artist's mind.

Like that lonesome whistle in the rain
The memory of last night is haunting the singer's thoughts.

I'm a fool for a lonesome train
The singer is drawn to melancholic and lonely situations.

The lifetimes we've left behind with strangers
The artist has left past experiences and connections with unfamiliar people.

Promises and lies both have their dangers
Empty promises and dishonesty have negative consequences.

I just can't be wrong enough
The artist has made so many mistakes that they are unable to get it right.

And I can't hide for long enough
The singer cannot avoid their problems forever.

So far away but I still feel your pain
The artist is distant from someone, yet they empathize with their sorrows.

I'd try to say good-bye, but I never got your name
The singer wants to leave, but they are unable to let go of their attachment to someone.

I'm a fool for a lonesome train
The singer is repeating their interest in lonely situations.

I'm your fool for a lonesome train
The singer is willing to engage in melancholic experiences with someone else.

I know it sounds crazy but I'm painfully sane
The artist acknowledges their unusual preferences, but they are not irrational.

I'm your fool for a lonesome train
The artist reiterates their willingness to partake in melancholic situations with someone else.

Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BEN C HARPER, JASON CONRAD YATES, JUAN DWAYNE NELSON, LEON LEWIS MOBLEY, MICHAEL B. WARD, OLIVER FRANCIS CHARLES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Ben Ross

2y↑1

It's late & I can't sleep
I've made promises that I can't keep
Cobble stones & broken bones
Has a kingdom, but he's got no home
Last night is still ringing in my head
Like that lonesome whistle in the rain
Lord I'm a fool for a lonesome train
Woah I'm a fool for a lonesome train
The lifetimes we've left behind were strangers
Promises & lies both have their dangers
Now I just can't be wrong enough
And I can't hide for long enough
So far away, but I still feel your pain
Lord I'm a fool for a lonesome train
Lord I'm a fool for a lonesome train
I try to say goodbye, but I never got your name
Woah I'm a fool for a lonesome train
Lord I'm a fool for a lonesome train
I'm your fool for a lonesome train
I know it sounds crazy, but I'm painfully sane
Woah I'm your fool for a lonesome
Oh a lonesome, lonesome train

All comments from YouTube:

lowchops301

14y↑3

Smooth....to the heart.....like everything he does. Nicely done, Ben.

Kitty

13y↑4

Can't imagine this music comes from earth!!!! This guy must be an angel , fallen from the sunniest and sweetest cloud of the entire heaven !!! This voice have to be supernatural ^ ^ I'm so thankfull to my special friend who brought his music to my home : )