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'.
How Could We Not Believe
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So beautiful how could we not believe
We love
We grieve
Then all seek our reprieve
So beautiful how could we not believe
Was so beautiful we had to stand aside
We had to stand aside
With our arms open wide
So beautiful we had to stand aside
Was so beautiful we had to close our eyes
So beautiful we had to close our eyes
And listen to the sound
It could be heard miles around
So beautiful we had to close our eyes
So beautiful to be free from my name
So beautiful to be free from my name
To be free from my name
And all those who lay claim
So beautiful to be free from my name
Was so beautiful how could we not believe
So beautiful how could we not believe
How could we not believe
Having lived through times like these
So beautiful how could we not believe
So beautiful how could we not believe
So beautiful how could we not believe
The lyrics of Ben Harper's song How Could We Not Believe are reflective and introspective, invoking a sense of awe and wonderment at the beauty of life and the universe. They suggest that despite the hardships and difficulties we face in life, the sheer beauty of the world around us is enough to make us believe in something greater than ourselves.
The first stanza speaks of the beauty of the world and how it inspires belief. The beauty that surrounds us is so profound that rejecting belief seems impossible. The second stanza has a feeling of humility, where the beauty of the world demands respect and awe. Sometimes, to fully appreciate that beauty requires us to step back and observe, and this is what the third stanza encapsulates. The idea of closing one's eyes and listening is a way to tune out the distractions that can often detract from the beauty of the world around us.
The fourth stanza takes a turn towards the personal, talking about the freedom that comes with letting go of one's identity. Here, the beauty is in the freedom from the constraints of society and the outside world. Finally, the last stanza draws on a more universal sense of beauty, describing how the world has survived through difficult times, and how acknowledging that resilience is enough to inspire belief.
Overall, the song offers a meditation on the majesty of the world around us and how it can inspire us to believe in something greater than ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Was so beautiful how could we not believe
The beauty of life is so overwhelming that it is almost impossible for us not to believe in something greater than us.
We love
Love is an integral part of our lives and one of the reasons why life is beautiful.
We grieve
The pain of loss is an inevitable part of life and it is something that unites us all.
Then all seek our reprieve
After experiencing pain and loss, we all look for ways to ease our suffering and find comfort.
So beautiful how could we not believe
The beauty of life is so profound that it is hard not to believe in something greater than ourselves, something that creates and sustains this beauty.
Was so beautiful we had to stand aside
Sometimes, beauty is so overwhelming that all we can do is stand aside and admire it.
We had to stand aside
In the presence of great beauty, there is a sense of reverence that makes us step back and marvel.
With our arms open wide
We embrace the beauty of life with open hearts and a willingness to be moved and changed by it.
So beautiful we had to stand aside
The beauty of life is so profound that it often renders us speechless and motionless, and all we can do is stand in awe.
Was so beautiful we had to close our eyes
Sometimes, beauty is so overwhelming that all we can do is close our eyes and let our other senses take over.
And listen to the sound
The beauty of life is not just visual, it also manifests in sound, and we need to be attuned to it with all our senses.
It could be heard miles around
The beauty of life is so powerful that it transcends distance and can be felt by anyone, anywhere.
So beautiful to be free from my name
The beauty of life is also in the freedom to shed our identities and labels and connect with our true selves.
To be free from my name
The beauty of life is in the liberation from the constraints of society and the expectations of others, and being true to ourselves.
And all those who lay claim
The beauty of life is sometimes marred by the possessiveness of others who try to claim us and our identities.
So beautiful to be free from my name
The beauty of life lies in breaking free from such labels and being our best selves.
Was so beautiful how could we not believe
The beauty of life is so profound that it inspires faith and belief in something greater than ourselves, something that creates and sustains this beauty.
How could we not believe
The beauty of life is evidence of a larger, transcendent reality that we cannot fully comprehend, and it inspires us to believe in something greater.
Having lived through times like these
The beauty of life is sometimes revealed to us through adversity and challenges, which give us a deeper appreciation of what truly matters.
So beautiful how could we not believe
The beauty of life is so profound that it inspires us to believe in something greater, something that gives meaning and purpose to our existence.
So beautiful how could we not believe
The beauty of life is so profound that it inspires us to believe in something greater, something that fills us with wonder and awe.
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: BENJAMIN CHASE HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind