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'.
Redemption Song
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sold I to the merchant ships
Minutes after they took I
From the bottom less pit
But my hand was made strong
By the hand of the almighty
We forward in this generation triumphantly
All I ever had, is songs of freedom
Cause all I ever had, redemption songs
Redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
Cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fullfill the book
Won't you help to sing, these songs of freedom
Cause all I ever had, redemption songs
Redemption songs, redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
Cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look
Yes some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fullfill the book
Won't you help to sing, these songs of freedom
Cause all I ever had, redemption songs
All I ever had, redemption songs
These songs of freedom, songs of freedom
In "Redemption Song," Ben Harper pays homage to Bob Marley, whose original song by the same name was one of his most beloved hits. Harper uses the song to meditate on the ways in which people can find freedom and redemption amidst oppression and injustice. The opening lyrics recall the brutal history of Caribbean piracy and slavery, which both stole people from their homes and sold them into servitude. But even in the darkest moments, Harper insists that people can find hope and strength to fight against oppression. "My hand was made strong by the hand of the almighty," he sings, relying on his faith and the human spirit to empower him and his generation.
Harper then shifts his attention to the mental slavery that can still hold people captive, even after physical chains have been broken. He encourages listeners to take control of their own minds and refuse to be held hostage by others' expectations or prejudices. He also tackles the contemporary issue of nuclear energy, arguing that it need not be feared if people remain vigilant and determined to protect themselves and their planet. Throughout the song, Harper insists that people must all take responsibility for making change, rather than simply waiting for leaders or prophets to show them the way.
Ben Harper's "Redemption Song" is a powerful call to action for those seeking freedom, justice, and redemption in a world that can be violent and cruel. Its themes of hope, empowerment, and perseverance resonate with listeners across generations and cultures.
Line by Line Meaning
Old pirates yes they rob I
These days, the pirates are gone, but earlier, they used to rob and capture people.
Sold I to the merchant ships
After the pirates captured people, they sold them to merchant ships.
Minutes after they took I
It didn't even take much time for the pirates to capture people and hand them over to merchant ships.
From the bottomless pit
People who were captured by the pirates were in a terrible position and had no hope of coming out of it.
But my hand was made strong, By the hand of the almighty
The singer got the power to overcome this situation from the almighty power.
We forward in this generation triumphantly
The singer has successfully overcome this situation and is moving forward in life with pride.
All I ever had, is songs of freedom
The only thing the singer had in their power after the terrible situation was their songs of freedom.
Won't you help to sing, these songs of freedom
The singer is asking for help to sing these songs of freedom so that the message can reach more people.
Cause all I ever had, redemption songs
The only thing the singer has ever sung about is redemption songs, or songs about being set free from difficult situations.
Redemption songs
These songs are all about redemption and freedom.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
People should free themselves from their mental slavery, which restricts their thoughts and actions.
None but ourselves can free our minds
No one else can free our minds - this is something we need to do for ourselves.
Have no fear for atomic energy
Don't be afraid of atomic energy or any other destructive force, as it cannot stop the passage of time.
Cause none of them can stop the time
No destructive force can stop the passage of time.
How long shall they kill our prophets
The powerful people in society often try to silence those who speak against them and try to kill them. This has been happening for a long time.
While we stand aside and look
People often stand aside and look when the powerful few try to kill those who speak against them.
Some say it's just a part of it
Some people believe that the killing of prophets is a normal part of life.
We've got to fulfill the book
The singer believes that we need to fulfill the 'book', which could be a metaphor for fulfilling our destinies or the messages of the prophets.
These songs of freedom, songs of freedom
These are the same songs of freedom mentioned before - ones that have the power to set people free and inspire them to take action.
Contributed by Carson V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dean Baker
Dear Ben... if ever in South Africa... would love to hear this one song... i will buy the drinks!
Dean Baker
Will see you on the 6th June 2019!! Cant wait!!