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'.
Glory
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Than I am scared to die
I'm more afraid of falling
Than I am of flying high
Every moral has a story
Every story has an end
Every battle has its glory
I'm more afraid of loving
Than I am of being scorned
But I will keep on trying
Though I have been forewarned
Every moral has a story
Every story has an end
Every battle has its glory
And its consequence
I would rather me be lonely
And you have someone to hold
I'm not as scared of dying
As I am of growing old.
Every moral has a story
Every story has an end
Every battle has its glory
And its consequence
In this song, Ben Harper expresses his fears and vulnerabilities. He admits that he is more afraid of living and falling than he is of dying or flying high. Harper recognizes the risks and consequences of life, including love, battles, and growing old, but he still tries to live and find joy in spite of these fears.
Harper emphasizes the importance of every moral and story, which he sees as a lesson to be learned. He acknowledges that every story has an end and every battle has its glory, but it also has its consequences. Harper implies that life is a series of choices between moral stories, and each decision has repercussions.
The line "I would rather me be lonely and you have someone to hold" exemplifies Harper's willingness to sacrifice his own happiness for others. He shows that he is not afraid of death but rather growing old and losing the ability to love and be loved.
Overall, the song tells the story of a person fighting their fears to live a fulfilling life. It shows that every decision we make has consequences, and that every story and battle has something to teach us.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm more afraid of living
I am scared of the challenges that come with living
Than I am scared to die
But I am not as afraid of death as I am of living itself
I'm more afraid of falling
I am scared of failing in my endeavors
Than I am of flying high
But I am not as afraid of success as I am of the consequences that come with it
Every moral has a story
Each moral lesson has a deeper meaning and context
Every story has an end
All tales, no matter how epic, must ultimately conclude
Every battle has its glory
Every conflict reflects the best and worst of humanity
And its consequence
But every action has a result, both good and bad
I'm more afraid of loving
I am scared of the vulnerability that comes with loving another
Than I am of being scorned
But I am not as afraid of being hurt as I am of not taking risks
But I will keep on trying
Nevertheless, I will persist in my pursuit of love and connection
Though I have been forewarned
Even if I know that the outcome may not be what I want
I would rather me be lonely
I would prefer to be alone and miserable than to deprive someone else of love and happiness
And you have someone to hold
Even if it means I have to endure the pain of loneliness
I'm not as scared of dying
I do not fear death as much as I fear the physical and mental decline that comes with aging
As I am of growing old.
Growing old can be a lonely, isolating experience, and that scares me more than anything else
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BEN C HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
johnny zell
I'm more afraid of living
Than I am scared to die
I'm more afraid of falling
Than I am of flying high
Every moral has a story
Every story has an end
Every battle has its glory
And its consequence
I'm more afraid of loving
Than I am of being scorned
But I will keep on trying
Though I have been forewarned
Every moral has a story
Every story has an end
Every battle has its glory
And its consequence
I would rather me be lonely
And you have someone to hold
I'm not as scared of dying
As I am of growing old.
Every moral has a story
Every story has an end
Every battle has its glory
And its consequence
Robert Curbo
Heard this song at the end of the credits of the movie The Fighter
The lyrics are amazing and inspiring
Kiwi Fulla
That's where i got it from!! Amazing, proper good this! the drum track gets me so much and i'm a guitar guy
babe bo bat
Me too! Love that movie
Melissa Smith
Still stands out til this day. I love this song and him so much.
Matt Cissna
If you dont have this album, go buy it from cd tradepost. I had it as a teenager in the 90s, and i can tell you its a good solid rock inspiring album.
Ben is very good with his lyrics.
juggernautproduktion
+Matt Cissna Amen on that brother, found him on a compilation cd as a kid in the 90's, never looked back. Just one of those artists that stood the time :) Peace :)
goaliemojo
wow...i bought this album and it is like an anthem, bless Ben.
johnny zell
I'm more afraid of living
Than I am scared to die
I'm more afraid of falling
Than I am of flying high
Every moral has a story
Every story has an end
Every battle has its glory
And its consequence
I'm more afraid of loving
Than I am of being scorned
But I will keep on trying
Though I have been forewarned
Every moral has a story
Every story has an end
Every battle has its glory
And its consequence
I would rather me be lonely
And you have someone to hold
I'm not as scared of dying
As I am of growing old.
Every moral has a story
Every story has an end
Every battle has its glory
And its consequence
Justin Knapp
Best Ben Harper song/album since I bought this album back in 1997!
D J
8 dislikes? Get your head checked Ben is badass.