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'.

Get Up Stand
Ben Harper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I say we're sick and tired of your poison technology
Slowly, surely, killing all humanity
We know when we understand:
Mighty God is a living man.
You can fool some people sometimes,
But you can not fool all the people all the time.
So now you see the light
We gonna stand up for our rights!

Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up, don't give up the fight

Preacher man don't tell me
Heaven is under the earth
I know you don't know
What jah life is really worth
It's not all the glitters is gold
Half the story has never been told
So now you see the light
Stand up for your rights

Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights

Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up, don't give up the fight

Overall Meaning

"Get up, stand up" by Ben Harper is a cover of Bob Marley's classic hit song with the same title. The lyrics are politically charged and call for action to fight against the societal and governmental systems that oppress people. The song talks about the harmful impact of technology on humanity and highlights the power dynamics where those with power and influence can deceive some people sometimes, but not all people all the time.

The lyrics also challenge institutionalized religions and the paradigms that see religion as a passive approach to change. The reference to "preacher man" and stating that heaven is not under the earth, rejects the belief that true change only comes after death. The song seems to suggest that people should not wait for an afterlife to enjoy human rights, equal treatment, and dignity. Additionally, the song emphasizes the need to complete the narrative of history and not just accept a glamorous story that leaves out important events.

Overall, the lyrics of "Get up, Stand up" highlights the need for people to be aware of their rights and not give up the fight against oppressive systems. It is a call to action and a reminder that no matter how many times the oppressed are fooled, the truth will always come to light.

Interesting facts about Get up, Stand up by Ben Harper:

Line by Line Meaning

I say we're sick and tired of your poison technology
We're fed up with the harmful effects of modern technology on people's health and wellbeing.

Slowly, surely, killing all humanity
Technology is gradually but surely causing harm to all of mankind.

We know when we understand: Mighty God is a living man.
We believe that there is a higher power that manifests itself through human beings.

You can fool some people sometimes, But you can not fool all the people all the time.
Deception can sometimes be successful but cannot fool everyone forever.

So now you see the light We gonna stand up for our rights!
We have realized the truth and are now going to assert our rights.

Preacher man don't tell me Heaven is under the earth
We reject religious dogma that promises rewards only in the afterlife.

I know you don't know What jah life is really worth
We believe that religious leaders are not capable of understanding the true value of life.

It's not all the glitters is gold Half the story has never been told
What appears to be attractive and valuable may not be so in actuality, and there's a lot of untold or hidden information.

Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights
We must take action and fight for our fundamental rights.

Don't give up the fight
We must persist in our efforts to achieve justice and equality.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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