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'.
Happy Everafter in Your Eyes
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While the moon hung in the sky
Held the sea in your hands
And happy ever after in your eyes
Couldn't leave you to go to heaven
I carry you in my smile
For the first time my true reflection I see
Every star in the night
Promises the dawn
I will be there if you fall
To ever so heavily rest upon
All that I can give you
Is forever yours to keep
Wake up every day with a dream
And happy ever after in your eyes
Happy ever after is in your eyes
The song “Happy Everafter in Your Eyes” by Ben Harper describes the beauty of watching the sunrise, holding the sea in your hands, and feeling an incredible sense of happiness that comes from being with the one you love. The singer is filled with joy, peace, and serenity as the sun rises and the moon sets, and they witness this spectacular scene with their love by their side. The lyrics also allude to the eternal nature of love, as the singer declares that they couldn’t leave their love to go to heaven, but instead will carry them in their smile.
The chorus “happy ever after in your eyes” serves as a metaphor for the ultimate happiness that one can find in a relationship. To the singer, happiness is not something that can be sought after or found externally, but rather it is something that can be found within the eyes of the one you love. The lyrics tell a story of hope, love, and commitment, with a glimpse into the deep connection that the singer shares with their love. The song is a testament to the power of love to bring peace, serenity, and joy in life.
Line by Line Meaning
The morning sunrise spread her wings
The sun rose in the morning and its rays spread across the sky like wings
While the moon hung in the sky
At the same time, the moon was visible in the sky
Held the sea in your hands
You had the power to control the vastness of the ocean, metaphorically speaking
And happy ever after in your eyes
You possessed a look of contentment and long-term happiness in your eyes
Couldn't leave you to go to heaven
I couldn't bear to leave you behind and go to a better place without you
I carry you in my smile
Your joy and happiness bring a grin to my face
For the first time my true reflection I see
Through you, I see myself as I truly am for the very first time
Happy ever after in your eyes
In your eyes, I see long-lasting bliss and satisfaction
Every star in the night
In the darkness, every glimmering star in the sky
Promises the dawn
Signifies that a new day is coming
I will be there if you fall
Whenever you stumble, I will be there to help you back up
To ever so heavily rest upon
So you can rely on me, and the burden will not be too heavy to bear
All that I can give you
Everything that I am able to provide you with
Is forever yours to keep
Whatever I can offer you is yours to hold onto for as long as you wish
Wake up every day with a dream
Every morning, begin your day with an aspiration in your heart
And happy ever after in your eyes
May you wake up feeling like you have everlasting contentment in your eyes
Happy ever after is in your eyes
Ultimately, the happiness you attain is observed through your eyes
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BEN C HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Havok0408
This is my song to my daughter. She’s absolutely my whole heart
Laura Elizabeth
I played this to my beloved Caramel as I held her in my arms and the vet sent her over the Rainbow Bridge, 05/07/2010. 🐱💖🌈🙏🏽
I listen to it again now that my precious Minikin has joined her, on 22/02/2022. 🐱💖🌈🙏🏽
Kerry Atkinson
My ex proposed to me via Facebook through this song, was the song I walked down the aisle to him on out wedding day ... 4 weeks later he left me..
Attempted suicides , later , I can now listen and remember those wonderful, happy, beautiful days, I loved him.
Always will.
Sachicocoa
I remembered the movie Arctic Tale a short while ago and I vaguely remembered this song at the end of the movie. Lovely song. Glad to be here.
Tyler Walker
hits me right in the soul
Kevin OConnor
MY be wrong gang but I think this song was written for heath ledger's 1st child.
Imagine.....this man has enormous talents..seems to me he can bend the world to his will.
Rita
This is my wedding song <3
Rita
This is my wedding song <3
peter monaghan
I started listening to Ben Harper about six years ago and now just started again. Why did I stop?
WolfKatGamer
This song hits me, like many of the songs he has done