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'.
High Tide Or Low Tide
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna be your friend
You know that I'm gonna be your friend
Any so in high tide or in low tide
I'll be by your side
You know that I'll be by your side
I heard her praying, praying, praying mmh
Her praying, praying, praying mmh
She was praying in the night
And the words that she said, the words that she said
They still linger in my head, linger in my head
She said : "A child is born into this world
He needs protection" yeah
God, guide and protect us
When we're wrong, please correct us
When we're wrong, correct us
And stand by me
In these high seas or in low seas
I'm gonna be your friend
You know that I'm gonna be your friend
Any so in high tide or in low tide
I'll be by your side
You know that I'll be by your side
I said I heard my mother
Her crying, crying, crying mmh
She was crying in the night
And the tears that she shed, the tears that she shed
They still linger in my head, linger in my head
She said : "A child is born into this world
He needs protection" yeah
God, guide and protect us
When we're wrong, please correct us
When we're wrong correct us
And stand by me
In these high seas or in low seas
I'm gonna be your friend
You know that I'm gonna be your friend
Any so in high tide or in low tide
I'll be by your side
You know that I'll be by your side
In this song by Ben Harper and Jack Johnson, the lyrics speak of being there for someone in times of trouble or uncertainty. The opening lines, "Yes, in high seas or in low seas, I'm gonna be your friend, you know that I'm gonna be your friend," show a promise to stand by someone's side no matter what difficulties they may face. The chorus reiterates this promise, stating "Any so in high tide or in low tide, I'll be by your side, you know that I'll be by your side." The lyrics were inspired by a conversation Bob Marley had with his wife Rita about the vow "for better or worse" that they made in their wedding vows. The song is a testament to the strength of that vow, and a message of solidarity between friends or loved ones.
The second verse describes a scene where the singer's mother is praying and later crying in the night. She implores for protection for a child who is born into this world. This imagery speaks to the vulnerability and fragility of life, and the need for support and protection for those we care about. The chorus again follows, emphasizing the promise to be there through thick and thin.
In summary, "High Tide or Low Tide" speaks of the importance of reliability and dependability in relationships. It's a reminder to be there for friends and loved ones in times of need, no matter how turbulent things may become.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, in high seas or in low seas
No matter the situation, whether good or bad
I'm gonna be your friend
I will always be there for you and support you
You know that I'm gonna be your friend
You can always count on me to have your back
Any so in high tide or in low tide
Again, no matter the circumstances
I'll be by your side
I will never abandon you
You know that I'll be by your side
I hope you understand how committed I am to you
I heard her praying, praying, praying mmh
I overheard my mother praying intensely
I said I heard my mother
I felt the need to acknowledge that it was my mother I heard
Her praying, praying, praying mmh
Her prayers were continuous and fervent
She was praying in the night
Her prayers were happening during the darkest and quietest of times
And the words that she said, the words that she said
The content of her prayers stood out to me
They still linger in my head, linger in my head
Her words were impactful enough to stay with me
She said : "A child is born into this world
My mother's prayer was centered around what it means to be born and to grow up
He needs protection" yeah
She emphasized that a child needs to be kept safe from harm
God, guide and protect us
A plea to a higher power to provide guidance and safety
When we're wrong, please correct us
Admitting that people can make mistakes and need to be told when they're in the wrong
When we're wrong, correct us
Reiterating the need to be corrected when in error
And stand by me
The importance of having support and loyalty
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jaychall100
Yes in high seas or in low seas
I'm gonna be your friend
You know that I'm gonna be your friend
In high tide or in low tide
I'll be by your side
You know that I'll be by your side
Well I heard her praying, praying, praying
I said, I heard my mother
Well I heard her praying, praying, praying
And the words that she said (the words that she said)
They still linger in my head (linger in my head)
She said "a child is born into this world
He needs protection." Yeah
God guide and protect us
When we're wrong, please (when we're wrong, correct us)
And stand by me, in these
High seas or in low seas
I'm gonna be your friend
You know that I'm gonna be your friend
In high tide or in low tide
I'll be by your side
You know that I'll be by your side
I said, I heard my mother
Well I heard her crying, crying, crying (She was cryin' in the night)
And the tears that she shed (the tears that she shed)
They still linger in my head (linger in my head)
She said "a child is born into this world
He needs protection"
God, guide and protect us
When we're wrong please correct us
And stand by me
In these high seas or in low seas
I'm gonna be your friend
You know that I'm gonna be your friend
In high tide or in low tide
I'll be by your side
You know that I'll be by your side
@ninjah3952
Que la mer soit calme ou démontée
Je resterai ton ami
Je resterai ton ami
Que la marrée soit haute ou basse
Je serai à tes côtés
Je serai à tes côtés
Je l’ai entendue prier
J’ai entendu ma mère
Elle priait dans la nuit
Et les mots qu’elle disait
Ne m’ont jamais quitté
Elle disait : « Un enfant est venu au monde,
Il a besoin d’être protégé
Dieu, guide-nous et protège-nous
Quand on se trompe
Veille à nous corriger
Et à rester à mes côtés »
Que la mer soit calme ou démontée
Je resterai ton ami
Il a dit : « Je resterai ton ami »
Que la marrée soit haute ou basse
Je serai à tes côtés
Je serai à tes côtés
J’ai dit que j’ai entendu ma mère
Elle pleurait dans la nuit
Et les larmes qu’elle a versées
Ne m’ont jamais quitté
Elle disait : « Un enfant est venu au monde
Il a besoin d’être protégé
Dieu, guide-nous et protège-nous
Quand on se trompe
Veille à nous corriger »
Que la mer soit calme ou démontée
Je resterai ton ami
Je resterai ton ami
Que la marrée soit haute ou basse
Je serai à tes côtés
Je serai à tes côtés
@ouikma
Best version of all time. Still has its effect on me 15 years later
@jaksplatt420
Absolutely ❤
@drsmaster9358
I’ve been listening this tune for years. So much memories
@icrackcorn
Some of the best times of my life in college was with this playing in the background.
@poketrainernavey
Facts
@thewolf81lobo86
Bob Marley is probably one of the most influential artist of all time, what a legend..
@locham1877
merci pour cette belle interpretation de cette magnifique chanson de Marley le Grand
@bevsfan
It doesn't get much better than this, superb!
@diegovieira6474
Depois de 16 anos ouvindo essa música de novo, mágico,fantástico sensacional...grande Ben Harper
@davidpatten1767
Wow!! Ive listened to alot of marley in my life this is the first version ive heard apparently i didnt listen to enough!! Well done ben and jack!! If anyone has the acoustic chord chart for this would appreciate it not a musician just like trying to learn to play a few tunes over the winter, in canada!!