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'.
She's Only Happy In The Sun
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On your way down from the clouds
Would you hear me if I told you
That my heart is with you now
She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun
The pain and the laughter brought you to your knees
But if the sun sets you free, sets you free
You'll be free indeed, indeed
She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun
Every time I hear you laughing, I hear you laughing
It makes me cry
Like the story of life, of your life
Is hello, goodbye
She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun
The song "She's Only Happy In The Sun" by Ben Harper is a haunting and emotive song that speaks to the pain and struggle of relationships, as well as the search for true happiness. The song is about a woman who is struggling to find her place in the world and is only truly happy when she is in the sun. The lyrics are powerful and raw, conveying the depth of the emotions that the singer is feeling.
The first verse of the song speaks to the fact that the singer knows that the person he is singing about may not want to see him. He is acknowledging that their relationship is complicated and there is a lot of pain there. He then goes on to talk about how he feels about the woman, telling her that his heart is with her now.
The chorus of the song, "She's only happy in the sun," is particularly powerful because it speaks to the fact that the woman is only truly happy when she is in the sun. This could be interpreted in a number of different ways, but it seems to suggest that the woman is searching for something in her life that she can't find in other places. The second verse of the song talks about the struggle that the woman has gone through in her life and how it has brought her to her knees. But, the singer suggests that if the sun sets her free, she will finally be free indeed.
Overall, "She's Only Happy In The Sun" is a powerful, emotive song that speaks to the complexity of relationships and the search for true happiness. It is a song that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world, and is one that will stay with you long after you've heard it.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you may not want to see me
I am aware that you may not be interested in seeing me
On your way down from the clouds
When everything in your life is going wrong
Would you hear me if I told you
If I expressed my feelings to you, would you listen?
That my heart is with you now
I have deep feelings for you at this moment
She's only happy in the sun
The subject of this song only finds joy in carefree moments
Did you find what you were after?
Did you achieve what you wanted to in life?
The pain and the laughter brought you to your knees
The ups and downs of life have brought you low
But if the sun sets you free, sets you free
If you find joy in the good moments in your life
You'll be free indeed, indeed
You will experience true freedom and happiness
Every time I hear you laughing, I hear you laughing
The sound of your laughter deeply affects me
It makes me cry
It causes me to feel strong emotions
Like the story of life, of your life
The ups and downs of your life
Is hello, goodbye
It is a constant cycle of meeting and parting ways
She's only happy in the sun
The subject of this song only experiences true joy in moments of happiness and contentment
She's only happy in the sun
The subject's joy is fleeting and tied to these specific moments
She's only happy in the sun
The sun is symbolic of the subject's happiest moments
She's only happy in the sun
The sun represents the subject's carefree, lighthearted moments in life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: BEN C. HARPER, DEAN BUTTERWORTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@morgenwilliams4907
I know you may not want to see me
On your way down from the clouds
Would you hear me if I told you
That my heart is with you now
She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun
Did you find what you were after?
The pain and the laughter brought you to your knees
But if the sun sets you free, sets you free
You'll be free indeed, Indeed
She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun
Every time I hear you laughing, I hear you laughing
It makes me cry
Like the story of life, of your life
Is hello, goodbye
Shes only happy in the sun
Shes only happy in the sun
@jeffreyball7298
Discovered Ben and his band in 2011 on pandora. Instantly became my favorite group. The most talented song writer I ever seen. Every song I totally relate to. So many different musical influences. Although I admit I also enjoy mainstream music but when I need real over superficial ben harper is where I turn. Bless you brother!
@jessicarosethomas9124
Top 10 on my favorite songs of all time!
@tomscyclerecycling8242
Beautiful, beautiful song, wonderful voice, and an amazing talent. There's still great music being created. Thank you God for creating Ben - he's another miracle child.
@ctanke19
Ben Harper and his crew are masters! They could play the alphabet and slay it.
@tavoiaiono7885
Love and light. Higher self, guardians of light. I accept your love,
friendship, protection and freedom. Clear my path and protect me from negative energies and hurtful intentions. I accept the world is beautiful and friendly I accept unconditional love for all my experiences and for everyone and everything I see and feel. I am ready to heal all aspects of my life as I
continue to send a beam of light, love, healing and protection to our Mother
Earth Gaia. Love and light.
@ginajones2328
Beautiful ❤️ well said...ust be a writer !!!
@jerryjacobsen5680
John 8:36. "So if the son sets you free, you'll be free indeed." Always loved this song just noticed this similarity. Now relisten with a lil bit different perspective.
@vie8894
ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONG EVER 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🕊️🌹🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️1️⃣🌟🌏
@lmshawver6736
RIP Adam Baldes, 6/22/80-11/21/12. You were only happy in the sun.....miss u madly!
@emmanuelle2203
je ne sais plus l'écouter sans avoir ce pincement au coeur .... tellement de souvenirs se raccrochent à cette chanson :(