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'.
Woman in You
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Showing some kind of sign that you believe
Did it fall from your tongue without warning
Or just another trick to fall from your sleeve
Did I hear you say that you believe in angels?
I guess I bring the devil out in you
But we can both remove our halos
'Cause even an angel needs love too
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
Some things never change
Some things never stay the same
But you're so innocent
I'll take all the blame
How I hate to remember
For that means the day is past
Sometimes I wonder if I know her
Or if I really need to ask
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
Woman
Half-man walks with no shadow
Of life he utters his distaste
No apology is expected
Love carved sorry in his face
Love carved sorry in his face
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
Woman
In the song "Woman in You," Ben Harper seems to address a woman he's involved with, but the song is really about the inner struggles that both parties face in the relationship. The first verse seems to indicate that the woman has some sort of religious belief or faith, but he's not sure if it's genuine or not. He wonders if it's just another ploy or if she truly believes in angels. He also acknowledges that he brings out the darker side of her, but they can both let go of their "halos" because even angels need love.
The second verse seems to be about their past together and how sometimes he takes the blame for things that have gone wrong in their relationship. He hates to remember their past because it means that the day is over, and he's not sure if he really knows her or if he needs to ask her more about herself.
The chorus repeats three times, emphasizing that the "woman in you is the worry in me." This could mean that her worries and inner struggles weigh on him and cause him distress, or that the woman is worried about the man and it's causing her stress as well. Either way, it seems to be a cycle of worry and stress that they both contribute to in some way.
Overall, the song is about the struggles and challenges of a relationship, and how it can be difficult to understand and communicate with someone else, even if you care deeply about them.
Line by Line Meaning
Could've sworn I heard you say Amen this morning
I thought I heard you agreeing with me earlier, showing that you believe in something.
Showing some kind of sign that you believe
Your actions indicate that you have faith in something.
Did it fall from your tongue without warning
Did you say it spontaneously, without planning or considering the consequences.
Or just another trick to fall from your sleeve
Was it just a deceitful move that you pulled out of nowhere to trick me.
Did I hear you say that you believe in angels?
Did you mention that you have faith in celestial beings who are said to watch over us.
I guess I bring the devil out in you
I seem to be the one who causes you to act negatively or unkindly.
But we can both remove our halos
We can both let go of any self-righteousness we may feel and just be honest with each other.
'Cause even an angel needs love too
Even someone who is seen as pure or perfect needs affection and care.
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
You have a trait or characteristic that causes me concern or anxiety, and it's affecting me.
Some things never change
Certain situations or relationships will always remain the same, despite our efforts to change them.
Some things never stay the same
There are experiences or associates that we can't hold onto and will inevitably transform over time.
But you're so innocent
Despite everything else, you have a pure and blameless quality about you.
I'll take all the blame
I'll accept responsibility for what went wrong or for any negative outcomes.
How I hate to remember
I despise the thought of recalling something that caused me pain or negativity.
For that means the day is past
Revisiting those memories signifies that the time has elapsed and can't be recovered.
Sometimes I wonder if I know her
On occasion, I question whether or not I truly understand you as a person.
Or if I really need to ask
Or maybe I don't even need to inquire because some things are beyond explanation or comprehension.
Half-man walks with no shadow
A person who is incomplete or lacking in certain qualities doesn't have a definite identity or presence.
Of life he utters his distaste
Such a person expresses their dislike or dissatisfaction with existence itself.
No apology is expected
They don't feel regretful for how they behave or for any harm they may cause.
Love carved sorry in his face
Despite all that, love has left a trace of apology or contrition on their countenance.
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
Again, you have a quality that causes me anxiety or concern, and it's affecting me.
Woman
An exclamation or emphasis on the feminine aspect or energy present in the situation or person.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BEN C HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind