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'.
Gold to me
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm not too blind to see
You look like gold
You make me wanna sing
With all the joy you bring
You look like gold
When a new day has just begun
You look like gold
I've been fooled before
But now I know
I've made the mistake in the past
But now I know the difference
From gold and brass
Not the kind of gold you wear
But the kind that can feel my care
You look like gold
Some shine when the day is new
But fade when the day is through
But you look like gold
I've been wrong before
But now I know
I've made mistakes in the past
But now I know the difference
From gold and brass
You look like gold to me
And I'm down on bending knees
You look like gold
And I just want you to know
To me you mean so much more
Than all the gold
You look like gold
The song "Gold To Me" by Ben Harper is a heartfelt declaration of love and admiration towards someone who means everything to the singer. The opening lines, "You look like gold to me, and I'm not too blind to see" suggest that the singer sees something incredibly valuable in the person they're addressing. They are not blind to the good qualities that this person possesses, and recognize them as "gold".
The song continues with a metaphor comparing the person to the sun's rays. Just as the rays of the sun bring light and warmth to the earth, this person brings joy and happiness to the singer's life. The line "not the kind of gold you wear, but the kind that can feel my care" suggests that the gold referred to is not material wealth, but rather emotional support and love.
The singer admits to having been fooled and mistaken in the past, but now recognizes the true value of this person in their life. The chorus emphasizes this realization, with the singer declaring that the person means more to them than any amount of gold.
Overall, the song is a testament to the importance of recognizing the value of the people in our lives over material wealth, and the difference between true gold and fake brass.
Line by Line Meaning
You look like gold to me
I see you as being precious and valuable beyond measure
And I'm not too blind to see
I am aware of your worth and treasure it greatly
You make me wanna sing
Your presence fills me with immense joy and gratitude
With all the joy you bring
Your actions and positive energy enrich my life in many ways
Like the rays down from the sun
Your beauty and radiance is akin to the warmth and glow of sunbeams
When a new day has just begun
Your impact in my life is akin to the start of a brand new day, full of potential and possibility
I've been fooled before
I've been deceived in the past
But now I know
I have learned from my experiences and gained wisdom
I've made the mistake in the past
I have erred before and have learned from my past mistakes
But now I know the difference
I can now distinguish between true value and superficiality
From gold and brass
From real worth versus counterfeit or false appearances
Not the kind of gold you wear
Not the gold found in jewelry or material possessions
But the kind that can feel my care
But the kind of gold that recognizes and appreciates the love and affection I have for you
Some shine when the day is new
Some people or things may appear dazzling and impressive at first
But fade when the day is through
But their charm or glitter may wear off as time goes by
And I'm down on bending knees
I am humbled and grateful to have you in my life
And I just want you to know
I sincerely wish to express my feelings and gratitude towards you
To me you mean so much more
You hold a very special and significant place in my heart and life
Than all the gold
You are worth more than any material wealth or luxury in this world
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BEN C HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miss N
You look like gold to me
and I'm not too blind to see
you look like gold
you make me want to sing
with all the joy you bring
you look like gold
like the rays down from the sun
when a new day has just begun
you look like gold
I've been fooled before
but now I know
I've made the mistake in the past
but now I know the difference
from gold and brass
It's not the kind of gold that you wear
but the kind that can feel my care
Hey you look like gold
some shine when the day is new
but they fade when the day is through
but not you, you look like gold
I've been wrong before
but now I know
I've made mistakes in the past
but now I know the difference
from gold and brass
you look like gold to me
and I'm down on bending knees
you look like gold
and I just want you to know
Oh to me you mean so much more
than all the gold
you look like gold....Shine like gold....
max gorov
You look like gold to me
and I'm not too blind to see
you look like gold
you make me wanna sing
with all the joy you bring
you look like gold
like the rays down from the sun
when a new day has just begun
you look like gold
I've been fooled before
but now I know
I've made the mistake in the past
but now I know the difference
from gold and brass
not the kind of gold you wear
but the kind that can feel my care
you look like gold
some shine when the day is new
but fade when the day is through
but you look like gold
I've been wrong before
but now I know
I've made mistakes in the past
but now I know the difference
from gold and brass
you look like gold to me
and I'm down on bending knees
you look like gold
and I just want you to know
to me you mean so much more
than all the gold
you look like gold
Robert Lohr
Ben is one of the all time greats!!
Jimb Thor
My wife and i danced at our wedding to this and it still makes me smile when I listen to it
Ben Fitzgerald
Jimb 'you look like gold' was also our wedding song - we got a great band called Spud to learn and perform it at short notice - they smashed it!
Joshua Kucera
I'm listening to this album because my wife is divorcing me. I did everything she asked, changed everything, improved myself. Why?
ChooseCompassion
I love this song when it was released and still do. Classic Ben. ❤️❤️❤️
Ben Press
this song always lifts my spirits...
Joshua Strickland
20 years and still rockin it! Loved this album back in middle school.
msminmichigan
you just made me feel old.
Joshua Strickland
msminmichigan don't worry, I feel old too.
Stevie Vaughne
me 3 he