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 Many Miles Must We March
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before we will look to the past to learn
We walk along this endless path
Which has led us in a circle
So here we are right back
We can't let the future become our past
If we are to change the world
Won't you tell me
How many miles must we march
How many miles must we march
When I was a baby I was not prejudiced
Hey how about you
This was something
That I learned in school
Something they taught us to do
We can't let our future become our past
If we are to change the world
Won't you tell me
Tell me please
How many miles must we march
How many miles must we march
There must come a day
When a box is not somebody's home
The unfinished work of our heroes
Must truly be our own
We can't let the future become our past
If we are to change the world
Won't you tell me
Tell me please
How many miles must we march
How many miles must we march
How many miles must we march
How many miles must we march
How many miles must we march
How many miles must we march
The lyrics of Ben Harper's "How Many Miles Must We March" reflects on the ongoing struggle for social justice and equality that seems never-ending. The opening line "Exactly how much will have to burn/Before we will look to the past to learn" asks the question of how much destruction and conflict will have to happen before society learns from our history. The lyrics suggest that society is trapped in an endless circle of repeating the same mistakes and not learning from our past. The lyrics then ask the question, "How many miles must we march?" This is a call to action, asking how much further must society go to see change. The repetition of the question underscores the urgency and importance of this issue.
The second verse highlights the role of education in shaping our attitudes and beliefs. The lyrics suggest that prejudice is learned rather than innate. The lyrics "We can't let our future become our past/If we are to change the world" emphasize the importance of breaking the cycle of prejudice and ensuring that the past does not repeat itself. The final verse stresses the need for continued progress towards social justice. The lyrics "There must come a day/When a box is not somebody's home" expresses a desire for an end to homelessness and emphasizes the unfinished work of those who fought for civil rights.
Overall, "How Many Miles Must We March" is a poignant and thought-provoking call to action that asks society to acknowledge our shared history, to learn from it, and to make progress towards social justice for all.
Line by Line Meaning
Exactly how much will have to burn
How much destruction and pain will it take for us to finally learn?
Before we will look to the past to learn
Will we only learn the lessons of the past once we've suffered enough in the present?
We walk along this endless path
Our journey towards progress and change seems without end.
Which has led us in a circle
Our efforts towards progress have often only led us back to where we started.
So here we are right back
Once again we find ourselves at the same point, facing the same problems.
We can't let the future become our past
We must learn from our mistakes in order to create a better future.
If we are to change the world
In order to create a better world, we must be willing to change our ways.
Won't you tell me
Asking for someone to provide an answer or solution to the problem.
Tell me please
A request for someone to share their knowledge or insight.
When I was a baby I was not prejudiced
As a child, I was not born with a hatred or fear of those unlike me.
Hey how about you
Asking the listener if they were also not born with prejudiced beliefs.
This was something
Our prejudices were something that we were taught, not something innate.
That I learned in school
Our biases were often taught to us through formal education and societal norms.
There must come a day
Suggesting that a better future is possible, but not inevitable.
When a box is not somebody's home
A call for the eradication of homelessness and better social welfare.
The unfinished work of our heroes
The work left undone by those before us who fought for change.
Must truly be our own
It is our responsibility to continue the fight for progress in order to achieve a better world.
How many miles must we march
How long must we continue to fight for change and progress?
How many miles must we march
Repeated question for emphasis on the length and difficulty of the journey towards progress.
How many miles must we march
A reminder that progress towards a better world is a continual effort that must be pursued with perseverance.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BEN C HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind