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'.
Gone
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By the time I turned around
When dreams come true
It's hard to sleep
Slowly drifting in the deep
She's growing
Growing
She's gone
Doesn't matter what I do or say
She's gonna do things her way
Blink of an eye has nothing on
How all the days have flown
She's growing
She's growing
She's gone
She's quite a sight behind the wheel
Now I'm in the passenger seat
With nerves of steel
I'm misery in harmony
Now that you're wild and free
You're growing
Growing
She's gone
Human nature isn't nature at all
Just an excuse we use with our backs against the wall
Someday, I'll apologize
And maybe she'll recognize
I'm growing
I'm growing
I'm gone
The lyrics to "I'm in I'm Out and I'm Gone" by Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite express the desire to live life on one's own terms, free from the expectations and judgments of others. The opening lines state, "Don't want no high rise tombstone / Gonna gather up my things / Don't wanna hear you fussin' / If it is, or if it ain't." This suggests a rejection of societal pressure to conform and a focus on personal autonomy. The repetition of "If it is, or if it ain't" emphasizes the singer's determination to make their own choices, regardless of outside influences.
The chorus emphasizes the same theme - the need to answer to oneself rather than others. "You gotta answer to somebody / If you didn't learn, then you didn't read / Gonna live with it, gotta live with it, yeah / What's a man to do, what's a man to do / Gotta answer to somebody" suggests that while external pressures may exist, ultimately it's up to each individual to decide how they want to live their life. The repetition of "answer" further emphasizes the importance of self-determination.
The final verse introduces the character of the "death row preacher" and a woman who comes to him seeking guidance. The preacher warns her to be careful when talking to herself, suggesting that our inner dialogue can shape our reality. The song ends with the refrain "I'm in, I'm out, and I'm gone," underscoring the singer's commitment to living life his own way.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't want no high rise tombstone
I don't want an expensive monument when I'm dead
Gonna gather up my things
I'll gather my belongings and leave
Don't wanna hear you fussin'
I don't want to listen to your complaints
If it is, or if it ain't
Whether my decision is right or wrong, it's mine to make
And my life needs no witness
I don't require anyone to witness my life or achievements
And my burden is my own
I assume the responsibility of dealing with my own problems
My burden is my own
I deal with my problems independently
I'm in, I'm out, and I'm gone
I come and go as I please
You gotta answer to somebody
Everyone has to be accountable to someone
If you didn't learn, then you didn't read
If you didn't learn from your mistakes, then you didn't pay attention
Gonna live with it, gotta live with it, yeah
I have to accept the consequences of my actions
What's a man to do, what's a man to do
What choices can a person make?
Gotta answer to somebody
Everyone has to account for their actions
Answer to somebody
Be accountable to someone
Gotta answer, answer, yeah
Need to be responsible for what you do
And I'm in, I'm out, and I'm gone
I can come and go when I please
The death row preacher
A chaplain who provides spiritual assistance to inmates on death row
Came through the back door to greet her
Entered unobtrusively to meet the woman
Hardly can blame her
There's no reason to criticize her
For trusting a one-armed lion-tamer
For believing something seemingly impossible
She stepped in from a storm
She came into the building from the outside
As dry as a bone
She was completely dry, in spite of the rain outside
The preacher thought to himself
The clergyman considered his thoughts in silence
He never takes care of his own
He never pays attention to his own needs
She said look what your prayers
She pointed out the lack of effectiveness in his prayers
Look what they've done to me
Look at the price I'm paying because of your prayers
What can your prayers do for me?
What are the benefits of your prayers?
Preacher said, careful talking to yourself
The clergyman advised her to be careful when speaking to herself
Cause you may be listening
Be mindful of what you say to yourself
And I'm in, I'm out, and I'm gone
I can come and go when I please
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Benjamin Charles Harper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vikidprinciples
Possibly the most beautiful thing ever created.
@ulyssesfelicio9916
Jack and Ben, what vibe. Helps strengthen our hope in this generation🙏☝️
@RichySheehy
Unbelievable lyrics, and Ben Harper is just the guy you want to compliment you. Love the duo.
@JoeyAG92
I wish they would release an acoustic album together, that would be a dream come true!
@newtempphone-ash9507
I know I'm super late, but this is a great song.
@newtempphone-ash9507
also, I think jack would like that too
@loganwilliamson5929
that slide is so soothing
@celine7home
the guitar. awww my heart melted.
@kcfurn
Wow! Time flies
Nice to come upon this again❤❤
@Loveismygift
I sang this so much in the hallways in high school.