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'.
Mama`s Got A Girlfriend
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
said he ain't comin' back again
said he ain't gonna be nobody's second best
just couse mama's got a special kind of friend
Papa he left home today
said he ain't comin' back no more
said he ain't gonna take no damn back seat
But mama's got a girlfriend now boy
mama's got a girlfriend now
mama's got a girlfriend
mama's got a true friend
mama's got a girlfriend now
You see mama don't watch your damn football
and your beer drinkin' just won't do
you're just stayin' out late and you're preachin' the hate
and you never have been true
You see mama she want her somebody
who will let her be herself
so she's leavin' you
and your stinky damn ways
cause she's found somebody else
And mama's got a girlfriend now boy
mama's got a girlfriend now
mama's got a girlfriend
mama's found a true friend
mama's got a girlfriend now
Papa he left home today
he was wavin' his hands and cryin'
you could tell by the sound and the tone in his voice that his heart was slowly dyin'
But mama said
"Boy if I ever catch you 'round here again
you ain't never gonna have nobody else not a woman or a man"
And mama's got a girlfriend now boy
mama's got a girlfriend now
mama's got a girlfriend
mama found a true friend
mama's got a girlfriend now
mama's got a girlfriend now boy
mama's got a girlfriend now
mama's got a girlfriend
mama's found a true friend
mama's got a girlfriend now
"
The lyrics to Ben Harper's "Mama's Got A Girlfriend" describe the aftermath of a father leaving home due to his wife's newfound relationship with another woman. The song portrays the father as stubborn and unwilling to accept his wife's sexuality, which ultimately leads to the breakdown of the marriage. Harper's use of repetition emphasizes the mother's happiness and independence in her new relationship, contrasting with the father's misery and refusal to move on.
The opening lines of the song indicate that the father has decided to leave home because he can't accept that his wife is with another woman. He says he won't be "nobody's second best" and "won't take no damn back seat" to his wife's girlfriend. This suggests that the father sees himself as being in competition with the girlfriend for his wife's affection. The mother is portrayed as understanding her husband's feelings but ultimately choosing to be with the person she loves. The refrain "mama's got a girlfriend now" is repeated throughout the song and emphasizes the mother's newfound happiness and sense of freedom.
The lyrics also suggest that the father is not as committed to the marriage as he thinks he is. He is described as someone who stays out late, drinks beer excessively and preaches hate, while the mother seeks someone who will let her be herself. This could suggest that the father has been emotionally distant or abusive towards his wife, and that her new relationship provides a healthier alternative.
Overall, "Mama's Got A Girlfriend" is a song about acceptance and the complexities of human relationships. It portrays a situation where two people who have been together for a long time suddenly find themselves at odds because of sexuality. Through the lyrics, Harper seems to suggest that love is love, and that a person shouldn't have to sacrifice their happiness for the sake of others.
Line by Line Meaning
Papa he left home today
Papa left home today
said he ain't comin' back again
Papa said he's not coming back
said he ain't gonna be nobody's second best
Papa doesn't want to be second best
just couse mama's got a special kind of friend
Because Mama has a special friend
Papa he left home today
Papa left home today
said he ain't comin' back no more
Papa said he won't come back anymore
said he ain't gonna take no damn back seat
Papa doesn't want to take a back seat
and how could mama do him so low
Papa's upset that Mama did him wrong
But mama's got a girlfriend now boy
But Mama has a girlfriend now
mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama has a girlfriend now
mama's got a girlfriend
Mama has a girlfriend
mama's got a true friend
Mama found a true friend
mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama has a girlfriend now
You see mama don't watch your damn football
Mama doesn't like football
and your beer drinkin' just won't do
Papa's beer drinking isn't good enough
you're just stayin' out late and you're preachin' the hate
Papa stays out late and is preachy
and you never have been true
Papa isn't faithful
You see mama she want her somebody
Mama wants somebody for herself
who will let her be herself
Mama wants someone who will let her be herself
so she's leavin' you
So Mama is leaving Papa
and your stinky damn ways
Papa's unpleasant habits
cause she's found somebody else
Mama found someone else
And mama's got a girlfriend now boy
And Mama has a girlfriend now
mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama has a girlfriend now
mama's got a girlfriend
Mama has a girlfriend
mama found a true friend
Mama found a true friend
mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama has a girlfriend now
Papa he left home today
Papa left home today
he was wavin' his hands and cryin'
Papa was waving and crying
you could tell by the sound and the tone in his voice that his heart was slowly dyin'
You could tell Papa was heartbroken
But mama said
But Mama said
"Boy if I ever catch you 'round here again
Mama threatened Papa
you ain't never gonna have nobody else not a woman or a man"
Papa won't have anyone else if he comes around again
And mama's got a girlfriend now boy
And Mama has a girlfriend now
mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama has a girlfriend now
mama's got a girlfriend
Mama has a girlfriend
mama found a true friend
Mama found a true friend
mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama has a girlfriend now
mama's got a girlfriend now boy
Mama has a girlfriend now
mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama has a girlfriend now
mama's got a girlfriend
Mama has a girlfriend
mama found a true friend
Mama found a true friend
mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama has a girlfriend now
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