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'.
Satisfied Mind
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"If I had his money I'd do things my way"
But little they know that it's so hard to find
One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind
Once I was waiting in fortune and fame
Everything that I dreamed of to get a start in life's game
Suddenly it happened I lost every dime
When my life is over and my time has run out
My friends and my loved ones I'll leave there's no doubt
But one thing is for certain when it comes my time
I'll leave here for certain with a satisfied mind
I got a satisfied mind
The lyrics to "Satisfied Mind" by Ben Harper reflect on the ills of materialistic desires and how the accumulation of wealth is not a guaranteed path to happiness. The lyrics explore the emptiness that comes with the pursuit of wealth and fame, as well as the joy that comes with having a contented mind. The opening lines suggest that people often think that having money is the answer to all life's problems, but in reality, only a few rich people seem to have a satisfied mind. The lyrics further emphasize the point that having wealth does not necessarily mean that a person is happy or fulfilled in life.
The second verse describes how the singer once had everything he wished for but lost everything in a sudden twist of events. This loss could have broken him down, but it turns out that he is richer with a satisfied mind. This verse goes on to show that the loss of material possessions was an opportunity for the singer's satisfaction to stem from something greater than material goods. He has learned that inner contentment and peace are valuable and truly satisfying.
The final verse reveals the singer's ultimate source of satisfaction, that being the comfort of knowing that he has a full life and a fulfilled mind. He knows that when he dies, he will be leaving behind friends and loved ones, but he will do so with a joyful heart because he has a satisfied mind.
Line by Line Meaning
How many times have you heard someone say
This line refers to how often people say that if they had someone else’s wealth, they would live their life differently.
"If I had his money I'd do things my way"
This line is a direct quote from those people who long for more money to do what they want.
But little they know that it's so hard to find
This line implies that these people do not realize how difficult it is to be content with one's life.
One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind
This line is stating that only a small percentage of wealthy people have inner peace.
Once I was waiting in fortune and fame
The singer is saying that at a point in his life, he was waiting for success and popularity.
Everything that I dreamed of to get a start in life's game
The singer is saying that he once had a vision of success in his mind and was doing everything he could to achieve it.
Suddenly it happened I lost every dime
This line refers to when the singer lost all of his money unexpectedly.
But I'm richer by far with a satisfied mind
Here, the singer reveals that despite losing everything, he is now richer because he has inner peace and is satisfied with his life.
When my life is over and my time has run out
This line is suggesting that the singer is looking towards the end of his life.
My friends and my loved ones I'll leave there's no doubt
The singer is saying that he knows who he will be leaving behind when he dies.
But one thing is for certain when it comes my time
This line conveys that the singer is certain about one thing, that he will leave this world with a satisfied mind.
I'll leave here for certain with a satisfied mind
This line expresses the perspective of the singer that no matter what happens, he will still leave this world content and satisfied.
I got a satisfied mind
This is the concluding lyric of the song, and it highlights how the singer has achieved a sense of inner peace, making him content with his life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Red Hays, Jack Rhodes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind