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'.
Sexual healin'
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, I'm hot just like your oven.
Oh- I need your lovin'
And baby, I can't hold it much longer
Now it's getting stronger and stronger
And when I get that feeling
I need a sexual healing, sexual healing
And makes me feel so fine
Sexual healing, is good for me
Sexual healing is something that's very good for me
Whenever these blue teardrops are falling
Oh no - and my emotional stability is leaving me
There is something I can do
Oh- I can get on the telephone and call you up baby
Darling, I know you'll be there to relieve me
The love you give to me will free me
And if you don't know the things you're dealing
Oh- I can tell you darling, oh it's sexual healing
Get up, Get up, Get up, Get up
Let's make love tonight
Wake up, Wake up, Wake up, Wake up
'Cause you do it right
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Baby, you know I got sick this morning
A sea was storming up inside of me
Baby, I think I'm capsizing
Oh- the waves are rising
And when I get that feeling
I want a sexual healing
Sexual healing
And makes me feel so fine, it's such a rush
And helps to release the mind, Lord- it's good for us
Sexual healing, is good for me
Sexual healing is something that's so so good for me
And it's so good for us and it's so good to me my baby, woohhh
Just grab a hold and take control
Of my body and mind soon we'll be making love
Honey, oh- -- fine
You're my medicine open up and let me in
Darling,
Darling, you're so great
I can't wait for you to operate
Ohh
Heal me, my darling
I can't wait for you to operate
Heal me, my darling
I can't wait for you to operate
Heal me, my darling
I can't wait for you to...
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
I can't wait for you to...
Oh baby, whenever these blue teardrops are falling
Heal me, my darling
The song "Sexual Healing" by Ben Harper is a slow-paced, sensual love song that talks about the need for sexual intimacy with a significant other as a way of providing emotional and physical healing. The opening line of the song sets the tone for the entire song as it beckons the listener to set aside everything else and focus on the moment. The second line is a metaphor used to describe how hot he is feeling at that moment. He goes on to express the overwhelming need for his lover's touch and how he cannot hold it any longer as it is taking over him. Ben Harper then goes on to explain how sexual healing helps release the mind and subsequently provides a rush of good feelings that help in emotional and physical healing.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea that sexual healing is necessary and good for him. He goes on to say that whenever he feels down, he picks up the phone and calls his lover, knowing that the love that is extended to him will free him. He ends the song by exclaiming how good sexual healing is for him and how he cannot wait for his lover to "operate" on him.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh- baby now let's get down tonight.
Let's have sex tonight, baby.
Baby, I'm hot just like your oven.
I'm ready to have sex, just like your oven is ready to cook food.
Oh- I need your lovin'
I crave your love and affection.
And baby, I can't hold it much longer
I'm about to orgasm soon and can't wait any longer.
Now it's getting stronger and stronger
The feeling of orgasm is intensifying rapidly.
And when I get that feeling
The feeling of sexual arousal.
I need a sexual healing, sexual healing
I need sex to feel better and heal my emotions.
And makes me feel so fine
Sex makes me feel great and happy.
And helps to release the mind
Sex helps to clear the mind and release stress.
Sexual healing, is good for me
Having sex is a positive and beneficial thing for me.
Sexual healing is something that's very good for me
Having sexual intercourse is highly good for me.
Whenever these blue teardrops are falling
Whenever I'm feeling sad and crying.
Oh no - and my emotional stability is leaving me
I'm becoming more and more unstable emotionally.
There is something I can do
Having sex is a solution to my emotional difficulties.
Oh- I can get on the telephone and call you up baby
I can call you and have sex to make me feel better.
Darling, I know you'll be there to relieve me
I know you'll help me feel better by having sex with me.
The love you give to me will free me
Your love and affection will help me become emotionally stable again.
And if you don't know the things you're dealing
If you're not sure what to do, I can tell you that sex is what I need.
Oh- I can tell you darling, oh it's sexual healing
I can tell you that sex is what will heal me.
Get up, Get up, Get up, Get up
Get out of bed and come have sex with me.
Let's make love tonight
Let's have sexual intercourse tonight.
Wake up, Wake up, Wake up, Wake up
Wake up and have sex with me.
'Cause you do it right
You satisfy me sexually.
Heal me, my darling
Help me feel better emotionally by having sex with me.
Heal me, my darling
Please heal me emotionally by having sex with me.
Heal me, my darling
Have sex with me to make me feel better, baby.
Baby, you know I got sick this morning
I woke up feeling sick.
A sea was storming up inside of me
I was feeling turbulent and unsettled inside.
Baby, I think I'm capsizing
I think I'm losing control of my emotions.
Oh- the waves are rising
My emotions are intensifying rapidly.
I want a sexual healing
I want sex to help heal my emotional instability.
And makes me feel so fine, it's such a rush
Sex makes me feel great and is very exciting.
And helps to release the mind, Lord- it's good for us
Sex helps to clear the mind and is beneficial for us.
And it's so good for us and it's so good to me my baby, woohhh
Sex is great for us and I love having sex with you.
Just grab a hold and take control
Take control of my body and let's start having sex.
Of my body and mind soon we'll be making love
We'll be having sex with our bodies and minds soon.
Honey, oh- -- fine
You're so sweet and sexy to me.
You're my medicine open up and let me in
You're the cure to my emotional instability and let's have sex to make me feel better.
I can't wait for you to operate
I'm eager for you to have sex with me to help me feel better emotionally.
Contributed by Carter R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@carlosalmeida9890
Oh baby, now let's get down tonight
Baby, I'm hot just like your oven
Oh, I need your lovin'
And baby, I can't hold it much longer
Now it's getting stronger and stronger
And when I get this feeling
I need sexual healing, sexual healing
It makes me feel so fine
It helps to relieve the mind
Sexual healing, is good for me
Sexual healing is something
That is so very good for me
Whenever these blue teardrops are falling
Oh no, and my emotional stability is leaving me
But there is something I can do
Oh, I can get on the telephone or call you up, baby
Darling, I know you'll be there to relieve me
The love you give to me will free me
So if you don't know the things you're dealing
Oh, I can tell you darling, oh, it's sexual healing
Get up, get up, get up, get up
Let's make love tonight
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
'Cause you do it right
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Baby, you know I got sick this morning
A sea was storming up inside of me
Baby, I think I'm capsizing
Oh, the waves are rising
And when I get this feeling
I want sexual healing, sexual healing
It makes me feel so fine, it's such a rush
It helps to relieve the mind, Lord, it's good for us
Sexual healing is good for me
Sexual healing is something so so good for me
Oh, it's so good for us, oh, it's so good to me, my baby
Just grab a hold, come take control
Of my body and mind, soon we'll be making love, honey
Hope we do it fine
You're my medicine open up and let me in
Oh darling, darling, you're so great
I can't wait for you to operate
Heal me, my darling
I can't wait for you to operate
Heal me, my darling
I can't wait for you to operate
Heal me, my darling
I can't wait for you to heal me
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
I can't wait for you to
Heal me, my darling
Oh baby, whenever these blue teardrops are falling
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
@hastur9981
I believe this version is from his Live from Mars album. One of the best live albums I have ever heard by the way. If anyone is going to buy it, make sure to get the 2 disc version. 1st disc is Ben and the Innocent Criminals. 2nd disc is just Ben and his acoustic. Peace
@paulomauriciolima021
Ouvi essa versão hoje em uma rádio nova, parei o carro na hora pra apreciar! É de arrepiar, canta muito.
@nellycastes1435
111
@kimberlehuneycutt8737
@@nellycastes1435 hi
@kimberlehuneycutt8737
Hi
@skirtvin
I remember going into the local music store for some good music. Diamonds on the Inside was what was recommended. I only asked for some good tunes. Stay Tuned in Wolfeboro, NH. Glad I walked in that day.
@johnf5476
one of the best musician / songwriters around ........... listening to this guy gives me so much ... thank you BEN , your music has saved me from some desparate times ...........
@ryandaley3351
Ben Harper is an amazing artist. He's always been one of my absolute favorites. He does this song justice, which is not easy.
@VeigaGuilherme
infelizmente Marvin Gaye morreu, graças a Deus Ben Harper surgiu... o mundo da música gira assim. Não há dia que seja como o outro mas em todos há o sol.
@evapm85
Bem observado.