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'.
Window Of A Living Man
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do I feel so old
How long has he treated me unkind
Or have I always been so blind
I'm the widow of a living man
Why can't the times stay the same
What about all the plans we made
Now I am so afraid
I'm the widow of a living man
Why does he hurt me so
I'm gonna need someplace to go
He's no longer some kind woman's son
Mama I think that I had better run
I'm the widow of a living man
In Ben Harper's song "Widow of a Living Man," he sings about a woman who is trapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage. The song is a heartbreaking and poignant exploration of the pain and loneliness that she feels as she struggles to cope with her husband's emotional abuse. Harper's lyrics paint a vivid picture of the woman's desperation and desperation for help. She questions why her husband treats her so coldly, why she feels so old, and why she has been blind to his unkindness for so long.
The chorus of the song, "I'm the widow of a living man," is a powerful and haunting line that captures the essence of the woman's situation. She feels like she has lost her husband, even though he is still alive, because he no longer cares about her or their relationship. The woman is left to mourn the loss of their love and connection all on her own. She begs for the times to stay the same and clings to the plans they made together, but ultimately she knows she must escape the pain and the abuse.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama why does he treat me so cold
Asking her mother why her husband treats her with such indifference, even coldly.
Why do I feel so old
Questioning why she feels so emotionally drained and worn down, despite her youth.
How long has he treated me unkind
Wondering just how long her partner has been treating her poorly or inconsiderately.
Or have I always been so blind
Considering the possibility that she has been in denial about her partner's negative behavior for a very long time.
I'm the widow of a living man
Feeling emotionally and/or mentally disconnected from her partner, having lost the sense of partnership and love they once shared.
Why can't the times stay the same
Lamenting the fact that good times and happiness in a relationship are fleeting and elusive, and wishing for things to remain as they were before.
Now I am begging him to change
Pleading with her partner to alter his behavior, either for the sake of their relationship or potentially to save it altogether.
What about all the plans we made
Recalling the hopes and dreams for their future together that they once shared, and perhaps wondering if those plans can still come to fruition.
Now I am so afraid
Feeling scared or uncertain about where her relationship is headed, or maybe even fearing for her safety or well-being.
Why does he hurt me so
Questioning why her partner inflicts emotional or physical pain on her, seeking to understand the root cause of their troubles.
I'm gonna need someplace to go
Realizing that she may have to leave her partner in order to find a safe haven, a way out of the painful dynamic they have cultivated together.
He's no longer some kind woman's son
Recognizing that the partner she once knew and loved has changed, perhaps irreparably, and acknowledging that his behavior is not a reflection of his upbringing or background.
Mama I think that I had better run
Telling her mother that she needs to leave her partner, that she can no longer tolerate his mistreatment and must start anew in order to be happy and healthy.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BEN C HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind