Ben Harper (born in Pomona, CA, on 28 October 1969) is an American Grammy-… Read Full Bio ↴Ben Harper (born in Pomona, CA, on 28 October 1969) is an American Grammy-winning singer and songwriter. As well as solo albums, he has recorded as Ben Harper and Tom Freund, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Ben Harper And The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, and Ben & Ellen Harper.

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'.

So High So Low
Ben Harper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Once you know you can never
You can never turn back
But I understand
Cause we all fear what we lack
Being with you
Makes me tired as hell
And it's so high so low

Now if I was strong
And you were male
You'd be dead
And I would be in jail
Being with you
Makes me tired as hell
And it's so high so low

Don't go making promises
You know you won't keep
Weddings turn to funerals
Both with songs that make you weep
Being with you

Makes me tired as hell
And it's so high so low

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ben Harper's song "So High So Low" are introspective and contemplative, discussing the complex and often tumultuous nature of romantic relationships. The opening lines, "Once you know you can never / You can never turn back," set the tone for the rest of the song, highlighting the idea that once you become involved with someone, it's impossible to fully go back to the way things were before. This idea is further explored in the following line, "But I understand / Cause we all fear what we lack," which suggests that people may stay in relationships that are draining or unhealthy because they fear being alone or not finding someone who understands them.

The chorus of the song, "Being with you / Makes me tired as hell / And it's so high so low," captures the cycle of emotions that can accompany relationships, particularly those that are fraught with conflict or insecurity. The lines "Now if I was strong / And you were male / You'd be dead / And I would be in jail" illustrate the intense anger and frustration that can arise in such relationships, while also acknowledging the power dynamics that may be at play. Finally, the song ends with the lines "Don't go making promises / You know you won't keep / Weddings turn to funerals / Both with songs that make you weep," driving home the message that relationships are not always what they seem, and that promises made in the heat of the moment may not be kept.

Overall, "So High So Low" is a poignant and honest exploration of the ups and downs of love and relationships, and the complex mix of emotions that come along with them.

Line by Line Meaning

Once you know you can never
Once you have experienced something, you cannot erase that experience from your mind

You can never turn back
You cannot undo or forget what has been experienced

But I understand
However, I sympathize with this experience

Cause we all fear what we lack
Because everyone fears not having something they need or desire

Being with you
Being in a relationship with you

Makes me tired as hell
Being with you is exhausting and draining

And it's so high so low
The relationship has extreme highs and lows

Now if I was strong
If I had more strength or power

And you were male
And if you were a man

You'd be dead
You would not be alive

And I would be in jail
I would be imprisoned