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'.
Waiting For You
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never found anything else to do
But waiting for you
I've been calling your name
Never found anything else the same
Nothing's the same
Nothing else sounds the same
As hearing your name
I've been hoping for you
What else can I do
But keep hoping for you
You can kill a lot of time
If you really put your mind to it
Or leave it all behind
And never go through it
What else can I do
Keep waiting for you
The lyrics of Ben Harper's song "Waiting For You" are centered around the theme of unrequited love. The singer has been waiting for the object of their affection for an unspecified amount of time, having found nothing else to do besides waiting for them. The repetition of the phrase "I've been waiting for you" creates a sense of longing and desperation, while the repetition of "nothing else" highlights the singer's singular focus on this individual.
The chorus of the song, "I keep hearing your name, nothing else sounds the same as hearing your name" further emphasizes the singer's fixation. The repetition of these lyrics represents the constant thoughts of the individual, with nothing else having the same significance as their obsession. The lyrics "I've been hoping for you, what else can I do but keep hoping for you" expresses the singer's helplessness and resignation to their situation. They have no choice but to continue waiting and hoping for something that may never come to fruition.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been waiting for you
I have been anticipating your arrival
Never found anything else to do
I have not discovered any other activities to pursue
But waiting for you
Except for waiting for your coming
I've been calling your name
I have been trying to beckon you
Never found anything else the same
I have not encountered anything comparable
Nothing's the same
Nothing remains unchanged
I keep hearing your name
I persistently hear your name
Nothing else sounds the same
No other sound appears similar
As hearing your name
As much as hearing your name
I've been hoping for you
I have been optimistic about your presence
What else can I do
What alternative do I have
But keep hoping for you
Other than holding onto the hope for you
You can kill a lot of time
You can pass an extended duration
If you really put your mind to it
If you concentrate your thoughts and energy on it
Or leave it all behind
Or relinquish all of it and move ahead
And never go through it
And never undergo the experience
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BEN C HARPER, MICHAEL WARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind