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'.
Pleasure & Pain
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I will never see this world again
I've felt pleasure
And I have felt pain
And I know now
That I can never be the same
How I wonder why the world can be so cold
Then left with me cruel here to grow old
And I felt pleasure
And I felt pain
And I know now
I can never be the same
And if someday I find my peace of mind
I will share my wealth with all of human kind
I've felt pleasure
And I have felt pain
And I know now
That I can never be the same
So if the sun does shine or rain does fall
I give thanks I've had my sight to see through it all
And I've felt pleasure
And I've felt pain
And I know now
That I can never be the same
The lyrics to Ben Harper's song Pleasure And Pain are an introspective reflection on the human experience. Harper sings about leaving behind the world that has shown him both pleasure and pain, and how this has changed him forever. He wonders why the world can be so cold and why good people often die young. The pain has left him feeling cruel and bitter, but he also understands that it is a necessary part of life that cannot be avoided.
Harper's lyrics convey a sense of acceptance of the duality of life - that we cannot experience pleasure without pain. But he also holds on to the hope that someday he will find peace of mind and be able to share his wealth with all of human kind. It is a message of resilience - that despite the hardships of life, we must remember to give thanks for the moments of joy and to continue striving towards a better world.
Overall, Pleasure And Pain is a poignant and reflective song that reminds us of the importance of embracing all aspects of the human experience, and of the power of hope in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm leaving here on the morning train
I'm departing from this place and never coming back.
And I will never see this world again
I'm leaving the world behind, forever.
I've felt pleasure
I've experienced happiness and contentment.
And I have felt pain
I've also experienced sadness, sorrow and physical or emotional suffering.
And I know now
Having gone through this, I now understand that...
That I can never be the same
I'm transformed by my experiences and I can't go back to my old self.
How I wonder why the world can be so cold
I'm baffled by the harshness and indifference of the world around me.
And if only good die young
It seems that only the virtuous or innocent people die young.
Then left with me cruel here to grow old
I'm left behind in this world full of suffering and cruelty.
And if someday I find my peace of mind
If there's a chance for me to become at peace with myself...
I will share my wealth with all of human kind
...then I'll use my resources and influence to benefit all of humanity.
So if the sun does shine or rain does fall
Regardless of whether good or bad things happen to me...
I give thanks I've had my sight to see through it all
...I'm grateful for the clarity and understanding that I've gained.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHARLIE HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind