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'.
Jah Work
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your brother man
'Cause a heart speaks louder
Than a color can
And why would you even
Shake a man's hand
If you're not going
To help him stand
Jah work
Jah work
Jah work is never done
Every man's actions
Belong to he
If prepared for thereafter
To reach his destiny
Some people believe
And some people know
Some people deceive
And some people show
Jah work
Jah work
Jah work is never done, never done
Jah work
Jah work
Jah work is never is never done
Is never done
You must do the heaviest
So many shall do none
You have got to stand firm
So many shall run
Some they rest their head at night
Some get no sleep at all
If you listen close to what you see
You will hear the call
Whoa Jah work
Jah work
Jah work is never done, is never done
Jah work
Jah work
Jah work hm is never, is never done
Ben Harper's "Jah Work" is a poignant exploration of the idea that beneath all of our superficial differences, we are all human beings, deserving of love and respect. The opening lines tell us that we need to see beyond the colors of our skin and truly understand the people around us. The heart, according to Harper, is a far more important indicator of a person's worth than their ethnicity or social background. Helping others is the crux of the song, as Harper notes that it's pointless to shake someone's hand if you're not going to be there for them when they need you.
This message is repeated several times throughout the song's chorus, in which Harper emphasizes that "Jah work" (God's work) is never done. In order to do "Jah work", we need to take responsibility for our own actions and do everything we can to help others, even if it means shouldering the heaviest burden ourselves while others do nothing. Some may scoff at this message, convinced that people are inherently selfish and cannot change. But Harper challenges this notion, reminding us that if we listen closely enough, we can hear the call to do "Jah work" and make a difference in the world around us.
Overall, Ben Harper's "Jah Work" is a stirring call to action for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. By emphasizing the importance of empathy, charity, and hard work, Harper sends a powerful message about the true meaning of humanity and the potential we all have to make the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me do you really know
Do you truly understand
Your brother man
Other human beings, particularly those from different backgrounds
'Cause a heart speaks louder
Emotions are more powerful
Than a color can
Than skin color, racial identity, and other superficial differences
And why would you even
What is the point of
Shake a man's hand
Greeting someone and pretending to be friendly
If you're not going
Unless you intend
To help him stand
To offer assistance or support
Jah work
The work of the divine, of God or Jah
Jah work
The work of the divine, of God or Jah
Jah work is never done
There is always more work to be done in this world
Every man's actions
What each person does
Belong to he
Are owned by that person
If prepared for thereafter
If ready for the future consequences of those actions
To reach his destiny
To fulfill his ultimate purpose, fate or potential
Some people believe
Some individuals have faith
And some people know
While others have certainty
Some people deceive
Some individuals lie or mislead
And some people show
While others demonstrate the truth
Jah work
The work of the divine, of God or Jah
Jah work
The work of the divine, of God or Jah
Jah work is never done, never done
There is always more work to be done in this world, it's a never-ending process
Jah work
The work of the divine, of God or Jah
Jah work
The work of the divine, of God or Jah
Jah work is never is never done
There is always more work to be done in this world, it's a never-ending process
You must do the heaviest
Some individuals have to do the most difficult or demanding work
So many shall do none
While others will do nothing or little
You have got to stand firm
You need to be resolute and unwavering
So many shall run
While others will avoid responsibility or face challenges
Some they rest their head at night
Some people sleep peacefully
Some get no sleep at all
While others are troubled and restless
If you listen close to what you see
If you pay close attention to what happens around you
You will hear the call
You will sense a calling or a responsibility
Whoa Jah work
An expression of wonder, awe, or admiration for the work of God
Jah work
The work of the divine, of God or Jah
Jah work is never done, is never done
There is always more work to be done in this world, it's endless
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BEN C HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A Kent
Such a powerful performance, I play this track at least once a week... Ben and the Innocent Criminals hats of boys!
Eduardo neto
Hoje estou na Benção, mas é impossível não ser fã desse cara tão singular. Repertório arranjo melodia tudo perfeito. Qualidade espetacular.
GsFunkFactory
The beautiful and soulful music this band puts out never ceases to amaze me.. Nice tune.
Ella Madison
If this comments gets likes that’s proof people come back everyday
....Ben Harper.... go in soo hard on this right here! Ben Harpergo in soo hard even though he just be using that AUTHENTICVIEWS joint initially to get
his music career going, seem like everyone else doing it too
Cedric Marrec
This tune is just extraordinary😍
Thérèse F.
Le Top du top!🎸🎤🎼🎵🎶 Du pure sond un réel plaisir pour les oreilles🎧 !! Je kiff cette vidéo 😍!
Lori Landry
Ben Harper is so talented, yet remains under the radar!!! Ibsen a fan over 10yrs and been to several shows.... Got to be one of the BEST live artist out there. He puts on a great show.... If you haven't seen him in concert, GO!!!! You will be glad you did!! ❤
Leandro Barbosa
Ben harper é muito foda.... Sou fã desse cara, o talento dele é a uma dadiva de Jah!
Anthony Crowley
Ben Harper, you and your band are awesome compassionate people for doing this. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. RIP to this young man. I will go straight to iTunes and purchase this song. Love it.
HISTOIRE TRADUITE
this guy got his own sound and it is so good to listening cause the vibes he sends are powerful and this music heals souls. Thank you Ben!