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'.
Like a King / I'll Rise
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't walk the streets, to them we are fair game,
Our lives don't mean a thing.
Like a King, like a King, like a King.
Rodney King, Rodney King, Rodney King.
Like a king, like a King, like a King.
How I wish you could help us Dr. King.
Make sure it's filmed, shown on national T.V.
They'll have no mercy.
A legal lynch mob like the days strung up from the tree.
The L.A.P.D.
Like a King, like a King, like a King.
Rodney King, Rodney King, Rodney King.
Like a King, like a King, like a King.
How I wish you could help us Dr. King.
So if you catch yourself thinking it has changed
For the best you better second guess cause Martin's dream
Has become Rodney's worst nightmare.
Like a King, like a King, like a King.
Rodney King, Rodney King, Rodney King.
Like a King, like a King, like a King
How I wish you could help us Dr. King.
Like a King, like a King, like a King.
Like a King, like a King, like a King.
Like a King, like a King, like a King.
How I wish... Like a King, like a King.
Like a King, like a King, like a, like a King.
Like a King, like a King, like a King.
When we will look to the past, look to the past to learn?
I wish...
Like a king, like a king, like a king.
Like a king, like a king, like a king.
Bye, bye we must go to see the King.
Bye, bye we must go to face the King.
You may write me down in history with your bitter twisted lies,
You may trod me down in the very dirt.
And still like the dust, I'll rise.
Does my happiness upset you?
Why are you best with gloom cause I laugh,
Like I've got an oil well pumpin' in my living room?
So you may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
And I'll rise - I'll rise - I'll rise - rise - rise.
Out of the shacks of history's shame,
Up from a past rooted in pain,
And I'll rise - I'll rise - I'll rise - rise - rise.
Now did you want to see me broken,
Bowed head and lowered eyes,
Shoulders fallen down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my confidence upset you?
Don't you take it awful hard cause I walk,
Like I've got a diamond mine breakin' up in my front yard.
So you may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
And I'll rise - I'll rise - I'll rise - rise - rise.
Out of the shacks of history's shame,
Up from a past rooted in pain,
And I'll rise - I'll rise - I'll rise - rise - rise.
So you may write me down in history with your bitter twisted lies.
You may trod me down in the very dirt.
And still like the dust, I'll rise.
Does my happiness upset you?
Why are you best with gloom cause I laugh,
Like I've got a goldmine diggin' up in my living room.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
And I'll rise - I'll rise - I'll rise - rise - rise.
Out of the shacks of history's shame,
Up from a past rooted in pain,
And I'll rise - I'll rise - I'll rise - rise - rise.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
And I'll rise - I'll rise - I'll rise - rise - rise.
Out of the shacks of history's shame,
Up from a past rooted in pain,
I'll rise - I'll rise - I'll rise - rise - rise.
I gonna rise - I'll rise - I'll rise - rise - rise.
I'll rise - I'll rise - I'll rise - rise - rise
In this song, Ben Harper is drawing parallels between the experiences of Rodney King, a black man who was brutally beaten by police officers in Los Angeles in 1991, and the Civil Rights Movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Harper acknowledges Dr. King's dream of equality and fairness for all, but expresses frustration that Rodney King's experience shows how little progress has been made. Despite Dr. King's legacy and the Civil Rights Movement, Harper believes that black people are still not seen as equal, and are instead victims of police brutality and injustice.
Harper also references Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise" in the latter half of the song to further emphasize the themes of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. He repurposes Angelou's words to highlight the strength and determination of black people who have faced discrimination and oppression throughout history.
The repeated phrase "like a king" serves as both a tribute to Dr. King's leadership and as an ironic juxtaposition to Rodney King's mistreatment at the hands of the police. Harper believes that black people should be treated with the respect and dignity afforded to royalty, but the reality of their treatment shows this is not the case.
Line by Line Meaning
Well Martin's dream has become Rodney's worst nightmare.
The hope and progress that Martin Luther King Jr. fought for has turned into a tragic situation for Rodney King.
Can't walk the streets, to them we are fair game,
We are not safe and are vulnerable to violence and mistreatment when we go out in public.
Our lives don't mean a thing.
We feel like our lives are undervalued and dispensable to those who treat us unfairly.
Like a King, like a King, like a King.
We should be treated with the same dignity and respect as a king, with our value and worth recognized and upheld.
Rodney King, Rodney King, Rodney King.
Referencing the police brutality and injustice that Rodney King faced and how it is representative of larger issues faced by the Black community.
How I wish you could help us Dr. King.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s wisdom and leadership is deeply missed in the current fight for racial justice.
Make sure it's filmed, shown on national T.V.
Recording and sharing instances of police brutality and injustice is important to ensure accountability and awareness.
They'll have no mercy.
The authorities who perpetrate violence and injustice against us show no compassion or leniency.
A legal lynch mob like the days strung up from the tree.
The authorities carry out and enable vigilante, racist violence much like the lynchings of the past.
The L.A.P.D.
Referencing the Los Angeles Police Department, which has a history of racist and abusive behavior towards Black individuals.
So if you catch yourself thinking it has changed
Despite supposed progress, people should not jump to conclusions that we have overcome racism and should remain vigilant of the ongoing issues faced by the Black community.
For the best you better second guess cause Martin's dream
The hope and progress that Martin Luther King Jr. fought for is not yet fully realized and we have a long way to go to achieve true equality and justice.
Bye, bye we must go to see the King.
While we continue to face injustices and inequality, we must seek out the guidance and inspiration of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.
When we will look to the past, look to the past to learn?
Looking to the past for lessons and understanding is important in order to make progress and avoid repeating mistakes.
You may write me down in history with your bitter twisted lies,
Attempts to discredit or undermine individuals fighting for justice through lies and manipulation will not succeed in suppressing the truth.
You may trod me down in the very dirt.
Attempts to oppress or subjugate will not break our resolve or spirit.
And still like the dust, I'll rise.
Just as dust will continue to rise and settle, so too will our fight for justice persevere through adversity.
Does my happiness upset you?
Some people may be uncomfortable with our joy and resilience despite the many hardships we face.
Why are you best with gloom cause I laugh,
We will not allow others to bring us down and will continue to find joy and humor in life despite adversity.
Like I've got an oil well pumpin' in my living room?
We have an abundance of strength and resilience that cannot be taken away by external circumstances.
So you may shoot me with your words,
Verbal attacks and attempts to bring us down will not succeed in weakening us.
You may cut me with your eyes,
Attempts to intimidate or harm us through physical appearance or body language will not succeed in breaking us down.
Out of the shacks of history's shame,
Referencing the oppressive and exploitative conditions Black individuals faced in the past.
Up from a past rooted in pain,
Though our history is marked by trauma and tragedy, we will continue to rise and overcome the pain.
And I'll rise - I'll rise - I'll rise - rise - rise.
Our determination and resilience cannot be broken and we will continue to rise above all obstacles.
Now did you want to see me broken,
Those who seek to undermine our progress may be unhappy with our resilience and determination despite adversity.
Bowed head and lowered eyes,
Attempts to subjugate and suppress us will not succeed in breaking our spirit or making us submissive.
Shoulders fallen down like teardrops,
We will not allow others to diminish our strength or make us feel small or insignificant.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Our passionate and emotional responses will not weaken us but rather strengthen our resolve.
Does my confidence upset you?
Some individuals may feel threatened or uncomfortable with our confidence and self-assuredness despite adversity.
Don't you take it awful hard cause I walk,
We will continue to walk with confidence and strength despite any attempts to bring us down.
Like I've got a diamond mine breakin' up in my front yard.
We have an abundance of inner strength and resilience that cannot be taken away or diminished by external circumstances.
I gonna rise - I'll rise - I'll rise - rise - rise.
No matter the adversity or challenges we face, our determination and resilience cannot be broken.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BEN HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind