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 Now
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 cause 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 and how could mama do him so low
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 song "Mama's Got A Girlfriend Now" by Ben Harper tells the story of a man whose mother is leaving his father for another woman. The lyrics capture the emotions and reactions of the family members involved. The father is portrayed as upset and angry about being replaced, while the mother is breaking away from societal norms and the expectations of her husband.
The song is a powerful commentary on the struggle of LGBT individuals and relationships within society. It sheds light on the fact that love can come in many forms and should be accepted regardless of who it is shared with.
Harper's lyrics show empathy towards the mother who is finding love in a non-traditional way, while also acknowledging the hurt and loss that her husband and son are feeling. The song's message is ultimately one of acceptance and inclusivity, encouraging listeners to love unconditionally and embrace the diversity that exists within relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Papa he left home today
Father figure has departed from home
Said he ain't comin' back again
Indicating that he is not returning
Said he ain't gonna be nobody's second best
He is not going to be treated less than he deserves
Just cause mama's got a special kind of friend
Due to mama's unique relationship with someone special
Papa he left home today
Father figure has departed from home
Said he ain't comin' back no more
Expressing resolute intention never to return
Said he ain't gonna take no damn back seat and how could mama do him so low
Not accepting to be in secondary position and questioning why mother treated him unfairly
But mama's got a girlfriend now boy
Nonetheless, mother found another companion
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mother is romantically involved with a female
Now mama's got a girlfriend mama's got a true friend
Mother has found someone she truly cares about
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mother's significant other is a female
You see mama don't watch your damn football and your beer drinkin'
Mother does not enjoy or approve of his activities
Just won't do you're just stayin' out late and you're preachin'
Father is misbehaving by coming home late and preaching hate
The hate and you never have been true
Father has been filled with hatred and not truthful
You see mama she want her
Mother desires a certain type of relationship
Somebody who will let her be herself
Someone who accepts her for who she is without judgment
so she's leavin' you and your stinky damn ways cause
Mother is leaving because she cannot accept father's unpleasant behavior
She's found somebody else
Mother is romantically seeing another woman
And mama's got a girlfriend
Mother is seeing a female in a romantic way
Now boy mama's got a girlfriend
Acknowledging the situation that mother is dating a female
Mama found a true friend
Mother has discovered someone who genuinely cares about her
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mother is having a romantic relationship with a woman
Papa he left home today
Father left the house for good
He was wavin' his hands and cryin'
Father had an emotional and tearful goodbye
You could tell by the sound and the tone in his voice that
It was apparent from his voice quality that
His heart was slowly dyin'
He was in anguish and probably heartbroken
But mama said "Boy if I ever catch you 'round here again
Mother warned him not to come back
You ain't never gonna have nobody else not a woman or a man"
Threatening him with isolation from future relationships
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mother is dating a female
Now boy mama's got a girlfriend
Acknowledging the mother's relationship with a female
Mama found a true friend
Mother has found a companion who is genuinely caring
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mother is having a romantic relationship with another female
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mother is romantically involved with a woman
Mama's found a true friend
Mother has discovered someone who genuinely cares about her
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mother is in a romantic relationship with a female
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BEN HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind