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'.
Never Leave Lonely Alone
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sitting alone at a lunch counter
Like a small town girl
A big city devours
Some of us laugh
Even in our darkest hour
Never leave lonely alone
Unspoken rules of solitude
Wound without a trace
A lifetime of dreams roll down your face
All that we can't say
Is all we need to hear
When you close your eyes
Does the world disappear
There's something in everyone
Only they know
It moves in the hidden ways
Of joy and sorrow
Never leave lonely alone
In Ben Harper's song "Never Leave Lonely Alone," he describes the universal feeling of loneliness that can strike anyone, regardless of age or background. The first verse features two separate images of individuals feeling alone, an old man sitting alone at a lunch counter and a small-town girl overwhelmed by the big city. The lyrics suggest that no matter how different our backgrounds may be, we all experience loneliness and isolation at some point in our lives.
The chorus contains the title phrase "Never leave lonely alone," a reminder to not let our loneliness define us and to reach out to others during our darkest times. The second verse delves deeper into the unspoken rules of solitude and how they can wound us without leaving a visible trace. This can be interpreted as mental or emotional scars that one carries throughout their lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
Like an old man
Feeling alone, just like an old man who sits alone at a lunch counter.
Sitting alone at a lunch counter
Being lonely at a lunch counter, sitting by yourself.
Like a small town girl
Feels overwhelmed by the big city.
A big city devours
The overwhelming nature of big city life and feeling small.
Some of us laugh
Even in the hardest moments, some of us find a way to laugh.
Even in our darkest hour
During the hardest, loneliest times, it's important to find hope and positivity.
Never leave lonely alone
Don't let loneliness persist, always empathize with someone who is lonely.
Unspoken rules of solitude
The unspoken understanding of being alone.
Wound without a trace
Loneliness leaves deep marks and scars without any apparent cuts or abrasions.
A lifetime of dreams roll down your face
All our unfulfilled dreams are on display when we feel lonely.
All that we can't say
Sometimes, the things that we can't articulate are the ones we need to hear the most.
Is all we need to hear
Hearing is the quickest and most effective way to understand someones pain.
When you close your eyes
When in times of distress, there's solace in the darkness.
Does the world disappear
The world goes away and leaves just you alone in the dark.
There's something in everyone
Everyone has hidden motivations and struggles.
Only they know
Others can't understand what someone else is going through.
It moves in the hidden ways
Personal struggles can be confusing and hard to understand.
Of joy and sorrow
Struggles may come with pain, but there may also be moments of joy.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BEN C HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ada Ipenburg
Such a wonderful, delicate song. I love it!
P F
Amazing song.!
Heather
One of my favorite songs from this album
T M
Pain manifested in a song.
Nathan Hails
Never leave Lonely Alone if you ever want to come back... I've been left. And I've Left... There's a mountain of fortitude between each. Never laugh at any one who's been alone. You'll never know when you're left to be laughed at...
G.R
There are a lot of singers but very few able to sing like he
Antero Spinillo
Hahahahahha