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 song "Mama's Got a Girlfriend" by Ben Harper tells a story of a family torn apart by the acceptance of a same-sex relationship. The singer, Papa, appears to be a conservative man who is not accepting of his wife's new relationship with another woman. He feels emasculated by his wife's decision and accuses her of making him feel like nobody's second best. Papa eventually decides to leave the family due to his beliefs and values, leaving his wife to pursue the love she thought she deserved. Mama, on the other hand, is portrayed as a strong character who refuses to be chained to societal norms and seeks a fulfilling relationship with someone who lets her be herself.
The song highlights the importance of accepting and embracing diversity, even if it contradicts one's personal beliefs. It serves as a commentary on the societal pressures that often come with traditional gender roles and expectations. Ben Harper's lyrics show the struggles that the LGBT community faces when their relationships are not accepted because they do not align with the perceptions of societal "normalcy." "Mama's Got a Girlfriend" is a representation of the strength and perseverance of those who seek love and acceptance, regardless of who it comes from and what others may think.
Line by Line Meaning
Papa he left home today
Father left home today
Said he ain't comin' back again
He won’t come back again
Said he ain't gonna be nobody's second best
He won't settle for second place
Just cause mama's got a special kind of friend
Because Mama has a female partner
Papa he left home today
Father left home today
Said he ain't comin' back no more
He won't come back
Said he ain't gonna take no damn back seat and how could mama do him so low
He won't be second place to Mama's partner
But mama's got a girlfriend now boy
Mama has a female partner
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mama has a girlfriend
Now mama's got a girlfriend mama's got a true friend
Mama has found a true friend in her partner
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama has a girlfriend now
You see mama don't watch your damn football and your beer drinkin'
Mama is not interested in football or beer
Just won't do you're just stayin' out late and you're preachin'
You just stay out late and preach hate
The hate and you never have been true
You have never been true
You see mama she want her
Mama wants someone
Somebody who will let her be herself
Who will let her be herself
so she's leavin' you and your stinky damn ways cause
So she is leaving you and your bad habits because
She's found somebody else
She has found someone else
And mama's got a girlfriend
Mama has a girlfriend
Now boy mama's got a girlfriend
Mama has a girlfriend
Mama's got 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
Father left home today
He was wavin' his hands and cryin'
He was waving his hands and crying
You could tell by the sound and the tone in his voice that
By the sound and tone in his voice,
His heart was slowly dyin'
His heart was broken
But mama said "Boy if I ever catch you 'round here again
Mama warned him not to return
You ain't never gonna have nobody else not a woman or a man"
He won't have any woman or man in his life again
And mama's got a girlfriend
Mama has a girlfriend
Now boy mama's got a girlfriend
Mama has a girlfriend
Now mama's got a girlfriend mama found a true friend
Mama found a true friend
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mama has a girlfriend
Now mama's got a girlfriend
Mama has a girlfriend
Mama's found a true friend
Mama found a true friend
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama has a girlfriend now
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