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'.

When It's Good
Ben Harper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're a prison
I can't escape
You're a decision
I never make
Heard me laughing
You heard me weep and moan

When it's good

It's good
When it's gone
It's gone

They say time will
Kill the pain
I say pain is gonna
Kill my time
Lord won't you save me
Or leave me alone

When it's good
It's so good
When it's gone
It's gone

I hang your picture
Above my mind
Don't do anything
You can't deny
I could never
Be your pawn

When it's good
It's so good
When it's gone
It's gone

Some drink to remember
Some to forget
Some for satisfaction
Some to regret
I hope a brighter
Day to you I've shown

When it's good
It's so good

When it's gone
It's gone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ben Harper's song "When It's Good" describe a tumultuous relationship, where the singer feels trapped and unable to escape. The first two lines, "You're a prison, I can't escape, You're a decision, I never make" clearly convey the feeling of being trapped in a relationship, unable to make the choice to leave. The second verse, "They say time will kill the pain, I say pain is gonna kill my time" shows that the singer is stuck in a painful situation and doesn't see any end in sight. The chorus, "When it's good, it's good, When it's gone, it's gone" emphasizes the fleeting nature of the good moments and the permanence of the bad, signaling that the relationship is reaching its end.

The next verse, "I hang your picture above my mind, Don't do anything you can't deny, I could never be your pawn" paints a picture of an unrequited love. The singer has become a prisoner of their own emotions, unable to let go, and the other person is in complete control. The line "Some drink to remember, some to forget, Some for satisfaction, some to regret" suggests that the relationship is not just affecting the singer but also the other person, and both parties have their own ways of dealing with it. The final verse, "I hope a brighter day to you I've shown, When it's good, it's so good, When it's gone, it's gone" indicates that the singer has moved on and is hoping that the other person can find happiness too.

Overall, the song's lyrics explore the complexities of a relationship and the pain of a breakup. It highlights the cyclical nature of relationships, with the joys and woes that come with them. The lyrics are relatively simple but convey a powerful message that can resonate with anyone who has experienced a failing relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

You're a prison
You are the only thing I can think about and you are holding me captive

I can't escape
I am unable to free myself from the thoughts of you

You're a decision
Being with you is something I can't seem to commit to

I never make
I keep avoiding the choice of being with you or not

Heard me laughing
You saw the happy moments we shared together

You heard me weep and moan
You witnessed the pain I endured when we were apart

When it's good
When we are together and happy

It's good
It is amazing and fulfilling

When it's gone
When we are no longer together

It's gone
The relationship is over and the happiness is gone too

They say time will
People believe that time is the solution to all problems

Kill the pain
Time will heal the hurt feelings

I say pain is gonna
I believe that the pain of missing you will only get stronger

Kill my time
The pain will cause me to waste more time on you, instead of moving on

Lord won't you save me
I am asking for divine help to release me from this situation

Or leave me alone
I'd rather be alone than keep struggling with this relationship

I hang your picture
I keep your memory close to me

Above my mind
You are always on my mind

Don't do anything
I am not asking anything of you

You can't deny
I know deep down you feel the same way I do

I could never
I am not willing to compromise my integrity for you

Be your pawn
I refuse to let you use me for your own gain

Some drink to remember
People try to hold onto memories by drinking alcohol

Some to forget
Others try to erase memories with alcohol

Some for satisfaction
Some drink to find contentment in the moment

Some to regret
Others drink to drown out their regrets

I hope a brighter
I wish for a happier

Day to you I've shown
I have tried to bring you happiness and joy

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BEN C HARPER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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