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'.
mama's trippin
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're so uptight
Out of your head
And ain't talkin' right
Can you tell me why
Your mind ain't straight
Out of touch
Mama's trippin'
Daddy's slippin'
Everybody's talkin' 'bout
Keepin' it together
But I see people splittin'
When there's inclement weather
What you want is what I want
So why can't we agree
If I could be inside of you
Maybe I could see why
Mama's trippin'
Daddy's slippin'
You and I ain't spoken
Ain't spoken for a week
Soon there won't be nothin'
Nothin' left to speak
Things ain't the same
Since you've gone insane
Let's take some time
And ease the strain
Mama's trippin'
Daddy's slippin'
The lyrics of Ben Harper's "Mama's Trippin'" seem to address a person who is struggling with some kind of mental or emotional issue that is affecting their ability to communicate and relate to others. The first two verses ask the person why they are "uptight" and "out of touch" and suggest that they are not behaving normally or balanced. The chorus repeats the phrase "Mama's trippin', Daddy's slippin'" which could refer to the person's parents or to a societal breakdown in general. The third verse suggests that the singer and the person have had a falling out and are no longer speaking, which adds another layer of tension to the situation. The final verse seems to be a plea to take a step back and try to repair the relationship by "easing the strain."
Overall, the song seems to be about the difficulties that arise when people are not able to communicate or relate to each other, whether due to mental health issues, stress, or societal pressures. The repeated phrase "Mama's trippin', Daddy's slippin'" could be seen as a commentary on how these issues affect families and communities as a whole.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you tell me why
Requesting explanation of the situation
You're so uptight
You are tense and anxious
Out of your head
You are acting irrationally
And ain't talkin' right
Speak incoherently or illogically
Your mind ain't straight
Your thought process is flawed or confused
Out of touch
You are disconnected from reality or other people
And can't relate
You are unable or unwilling to empathize with others
Everybody's talkin' 'bout
People are discussing
Keepin' it together
Staying calm and focused
But I see people splittin'
But I observe people separating
When there's inclement weather
When things get tough
What you want is what I want
We desire the same thing
So why can't we agree
Why can't we find common ground
If I could be inside of you
If I could understand your perspective
Maybe I could see why
Perhaps I could comprehend your reasoning
You and I ain't spoken
We have not communicated
Ain't spoken for a week
We have not talked in seven days
Soon there won't be nothin'
Soon there will be nothing
Nothin' left to speak
Nothing left to say
Things ain't the same
The situation has changed
Since you've gone insane
Since you've acted irrationally
Let's take some time
Let's pause and reflect
And ease the strain
And reduce the tension
Mama's trippin'
Mother is behaving oddly
Daddy's slippin'
Father is losing control
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BEN C HARPER, GEORGE MICHAEL, J P PLUNIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind