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'.
Forgiven
Ben Harper Lyrics
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I will catch your tears from falling; until from my hands they poor
You can leave me abandoned, I'll be here if you walk back in
Like the rest I have been branded far beneath the skin
So far beneath the skin
You shall be, you shall be, you shall be Forgiven
Here I have been standing but the time has come and gone
I tried singing to you, but you turned my words to stone
Here I have been waiting, it seems for quite a while
Changed all my reflections
But inside still just a child
But inside still just a child
You shall be, you shall be, you shall be Forgiven
You shall be, you shall be, you shall be Forgiven
These eyes weren't made for crying; This love wasn't made to waste
These arms weren't made for battle, but to share in your embrace
You shall be, you shall be, you shall be Forgiven
You shall be, you shall be, you shall be Forgiven
The song "Forgiven," by Ben Harper, is a reflection on the nature and power of forgiveness. The opening verse sets the tone for the song, as Harper declares his patient willingness to wait for his loved one, catching her tears until they stop flowing. The following lyrics speak to the heart of the song's message: that forgiveness is a powerful force that can heal even the deepest wounds.
Harper acknowledges that his loved one has abandoned him, but he remains open to her return, despite the pain he has endured. He also acknowledges that, like so many others, he has been labeled and relegated to a place "far beneath the skin" by society, but he chooses to rise above those constraints by extending forgiveness.
The chorus repeats the phrase "You shall be forgiven" as a mantra, powerful in its simplicity. Harper indicates that forgiveness is the only option for him in this scenario, as he is not made for battling or wasting love. Instead, his heart and arms were made for embracing and sharing love. "Forgiven" is a powerful ode to the transformative and healing power of forgiveness, urging listeners to extend it to those who have wronged them.
Line by Line Meaning
I will wait like nothing; I have ever waited for
I am willing to wait for you like I have never waited for anything before.
I will catch your tears from falling; until from my hands they pour
I will comfort you and catch your tears until they stop falling.
You can leave me abandoned, I'll be here if you walk back in
Even if you decide to leave me, I will be waiting for you with open arms if you ever decide to return.
Like the rest I have been branded far beneath the skin
I have been hurt before, just like many others, but my pain goes much deeper than just skin-deep.
So far beneath the skin
My pain runs deep and is not easily seen by others.
You shall be, you shall be, you shall be Forgiven
I am willing to forgive you for your mistakes.
Here I have been standing but the time has come and gone
I have been waiting for you for a long time, but time has passed quickly and the moment is gone now.
I tried singing to you, but you turned my words to stone
I have tried to express my feelings to you, but you have rejected them and made me feel like my efforts were in vain.
Here I have been waiting, it seems for quite a while
I have been waiting for you for what feels like a long time.
Changed all my reflections
I have tried to change how I see myself and how I view the situation, but it hasn't made much of a difference.
But inside still just a child
Despite my efforts to mature and grow, I still feel vulnerable and helpless like a child.
These eyes weren't made for crying; This love wasn't made to waste
I wasn't meant to cry and my love for you wasn't meant to be thrown away.
These arms weren't made for battle, but to share in your embrace
My arms were meant to hold and comfort you, not fight against you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BEN C HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind