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'.
Whipping Boy
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I want you to
And you can feed me
How I like that too
But don't you lead me
I won't follow you
Listen here
I don't fear
Whipping boy
You can tease me
How I want you to
And you can squeeze me
Baby I like that too
But don't you lead me
I won't follow you
Listen here
I don't fear
I don't want to be your
Whipping boy
You can hold me
Baby I want you to
And you can scold me
Yes I like that too
But don't you lead me
I won't follow you
Listen here
I don't fear
I don't want to be your
Whipping boy
Well you can need me
Well I want you to
And you can feed me
Baby I like that too
But don't you lead me
I won't follow you
Listen here
I don't fear
I don't want to be your
Whipping boy
In Ben Harper's song Whipping Boy, the lyrics revolve around a relationship where one partner wants complete control and dominance over the other. The singer is willing to be needed, fed, teased, squeezed, held, and even scolded, but they won't tolerate being led or controlled. The phrase "whipping boy" refers to a person who is punished or criticized for the mistakes or shortcomings of others. In this context, it means the singer doesn't want to be the recipient of someone else's emotional abuse or manipulation.
The lyrics convey a sense of independence and self-respect. It's clear that the singer wants to be in a healthy and equal relationship where they're not submissive to their partner's every whim. The repetition of the chorus, "I don't want to be your whipping boy," emphasizes this point and gives the song a powerful, liberating tone. The singer is setting boundaries and refusing to be a victim.
Overall, Ben Harper's Whipping Boy is a song about standing up for oneself and not allowing others to control or manipulate them. The lyrics urge listeners to assert their independence and self-worth, even when it means walking away from a relationship or situation that's toxic.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you can need me
I am available to be needed by you.
Well I want you to
I desire to be wanted by you.
And you can feed me
I can receive from you.
How I like that too
It is gratifying to receive in the way that I prefer.
But don't you lead me
I am not willing to be led by you.
I won't follow you
I refuse to follow your lead.
Listen here
Pay attention to what I am saying.
I don't fear
I am not afraid of you or the situation.
I don't want to be your
I have no desire to be seen as your
Whipping boy
Scapegoat or victim for your actions or emotions.
You can tease me
You can playfully provoke me.
How I want you to
It is enjoyable to be provoked in that way.
And you can squeeze me
You can hold me tightly.
Baby I like that too
It is pleasurable for me to be held in that way.
But don't you lead me
I am not willing to be led by you.
I won't follow you
I refuse to follow your lead.
Listen here
Pay attention to what I am saying.
I don't fear
I am not afraid of you or the situation.
I don't want to be your
I have no desire to be seen as your
Whipping boy
Scapegoat or victim for your actions or emotions.
You can hold me
You can physically embrace me.
Baby I want you to
It is my desire for you to physically embrace me.
And you can scold me
You can reprimand or criticize me.
Yes I like that too
It is satisfying for me to receive reprimands or criticism.
But don't you lead me
I am not willing to be led by you.
I won't follow you
I refuse to follow your lead.
Listen here
Pay attention to what I am saying.
I don't fear
I am not afraid of you or the situation.
I don't want to be your
I have no desire to be seen as your
Whipping boy
Scapegoat or victim for your actions or emotions.
Well you can need me
I am available to be needed by you.
Well I want you to
I desire to be wanted by you.
And you can feed me
I can receive from you.
Baby I like that too
It is gratifying to receive in the way that I prefer.
But don't you lead me
I am not willing to be led by you.
I won't follow you
I refuse to follow your lead.
Listen here
Pay attention to what I am saying.
I don't fear
I am not afraid of you or the situation.
I don't want to be your
I have no desire to be seen as your
Whipping boy
Scapegoat or victim for your actions or emotions.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNIE TAUPIN, ELTON JOHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@innocentgomez8401
Well you can need me Well I want you to
And you can feed me How I like that too
But don’t you lead me I won’t follow you
Listen here
I don’t fear
I don’t want to be your
Whipping boy
You can tease me How I want you to
And you can squeeze me Baby I like that too
But don’t you lead me I won’t follow you
Listen here
I don’t fear
I don’t want to be your
Whipping boy
Well you can need me Well I want you to
And you can feed me Baby I like that too
But don’t you lead me I won’t follow you
Listen here
I don’t fear
I don’t want to be your
Whipping boy
@epipd5712
I think Ben Harper is one of the most gifted musicians of our times. Every song he sings has real thought in it, and he sings his songs with a passion. I was so fortunate to see him in concert back in the 90's. It was a magical incredible night I will never forget. Kudos to Ben Harper for his awesome gift of music!
@noble103
Excellent funk, soulful... That slide is delicious, been listening to Ben a long time what a voice 👍
@rasredi
This will never sound dated.. great record!
@jeffreypattie7150
What a talented talented humble beautiful man! Was blessed to see him live, playing this, talked with him telling him I saw lennon and robert plant. Live i cant tell you how amazing!! Like jeff Buckley, live
@Hijodeganas1
First Ben Harper song I ever heard, and still my favorite.
@bigbuoy100
Same
@Greenredfield
Same
@Greenredfield
This video sucks though.
@innocentgomez8401
Well you can need me Well I want you to
And you can feed me How I like that too
But don’t you lead me I won’t follow you
Listen here
I don’t fear
I don’t want to be your
Whipping boy
You can tease me How I want you to
And you can squeeze me Baby I like that too
But don’t you lead me I won’t follow you
Listen here
I don’t fear
I don’t want to be your
Whipping boy
Well you can need me Well I want you to
And you can feed me Baby I like that too
But don’t you lead me I won’t follow you
Listen here
I don’t fear
I don’t want to be your
Whipping boy
@jordach545
I was at his really rainy show in Toronto a few years back. Ben still talks about that show in interviews because the rain was going sideways, the band was covered and no one was leaving lol. It was so cold and rainy and no one cared haha. The encore was bittersweet to say the least.