1) Samantha Harper (… Read Full Bio ↴There are more than one artist using this name:
1) Samantha Harper (born December 9, 1990 in Bedminster, Bristol, UK) aka "Harper" is a British artist/songwriter now based in East London. With a unique blend of genres Harper's music encapsulates all her favourite sounds, from Dub-step to Folk to Trip Hop, but features intelligent Pop melodies that brand her music 'Pop with an edge'. Working alongside songwriter/production Team, Eagleye, Harper has been developing her sound for the last year. Now armoured with fresh, raw material, Harper is about to make waves with her up and coming EP, to be unveiled shortly.
Harper was raised in South Wales where she attended a performing arts school. Enhancing her talent as a songwriter and vocalist, she then moved to London at the age of 18, where she graduated from the University of Westminster with a commercial music degree. Harper is now a well-established and upcoming artist in the industry specialising in alternative R&B pop, based in South London and currently signed to ICU Label.
Harper has been described in the industry as a woman with many facets to her talent as a vocalist and songwriter. At present she is creating some gritty and dark edged masterpieces with a base driven undertone, which intoxicates the listeners and allows them to resonate with her music.
Her versatility and appreciation for credible and alternative music is sourced from many artists who have been responsible for influencing her direction namely, Kate Bush and Björk, in addition to the Pop giants of her adolescence; Beyoncé and Rihanna.
Harper often finds herself waking up 2am where she is at her most creative and she likens it to Groundhog Day. Through her lyrics, her dreams and fears become reality. Harper has an infectious personality and a great sense of humour and is a self-motivator who continues to create cutting edge music.
Harper released 2 EP’s prior to her single ‘No Love In The Jungle’ which is about seeking happiness in the concrete jungle of London, a place where many find themselves isolated and nervous of the fast moving city. This single is in aid of the NSPCC and The National Autistic Society and will be released on 28th November 2016.
Harper has achieved outstanding success outside the studio where she has collaborated with Conor Maynard on a Drake cover ‘One Dance’. This cover went viral on YouTube with a viewing of 43m and was one of the highest viewed covers in 2016. In addition she has been able to realise her childhood dream of singing at premier league games in front of over 25,000 people. This just demonstrates nothing fazes her and throughout her whole life from the age of 12, she has been performing live at gigs and festivals and her passion, determination and hunger for music will continue to grow for many years to come.
2) Peter D. Harper (born 10 November 1970 in Guildfort, UK) is an Australian-American blues rock harmonica player, singer and songwriter. An amalgamation of blues, soul and world music, this multi award winning Australian singer/songwriter creates a heady mix of roots music through his creative use of the harmonica, and the haunting drone of the didgeridoo. By combining traditional and modern influences, borrowing from Western and World music, Harper has created a highly original take on the roots genre which many have labeled "World Blues". Harper has received an amazing 14 x Music Awards in four different countries. His innovative use of electronic enhancement and feedback, breaks the traditional boundaries of the harmonica, giving his music its distinctive harmonics and effects. The powerful guitar sounds and the unique drone of the didgeridoo create raw yet eerie sonic textures, some how sounding primal and contemporary at the same time. No Depression Magazine,'s (USA) Rod Ames, adds that Harper "has written and arranged some of the most soulful blues rock filled music I have ever heard". Harper is backed by his very talented Detroit based band Midwest Kind.
Born in the United Kingdom, Harper’s musical journey began early, performing in brass bands playing the trumpet and euphonium. At the age of ten, his family moved half way round the world to Perth, Western Australia, and his Grandfather introduced Harper to the harp. In Perth, one of the most isolated cities in the world, there was a thriving blues and folk scene. The blues had a rawness, an honesty and a passion of the soul which spoke to Harper deeply. Then, like every blues lover, Harper began his journey backwards to discover the deeper roots of the music.
"I think Muddy Waters really hit me hard. There was something incredibly special about his sound, his powerful voice and his songs. I would sing his songs constantly. I also really dug Sonny Boy Williamson II as well. I loved his rhythmic use of his harp. I was also inspired by a pretty wide range of players and styles like Little Walter, Sugar Blue and Stevie Wonder who guide me in my harmonica playing. "But Harper did not stop his search with the blues. It was a chance meeting with a Hopi "Dan Running Bear" in Silverton, Colorado, that led him down the path to rediscovering the music of his homeland. Fascinated with the spirituality and culture of the American Natives, he found the same qualities present in the Australian Aborigines of his homeland. On adding the native didgeridoo to his music, Harper says "It is a sound I grew up with, so it seemed natural to add it to my songwriting particularly when the lyrics related to the plight of the Aborigines in Australia. When I added the didgeridoo to the more traditional blues instruments, it worked. The deep woody qualities and its haunting drone seemed to enhance the emotional quality of my stories. The didgeridoo is a spiritual and healing instrument, and it seemed blues music accepted it with open arms. I also owe my life to a tribe of nomadic Aborigines who saved my father and I from starvation when we were trapped at The Fitzroy Crossing (Western Australia), in between two fast flowing river torrents. They gave us enough food and water to last us until the flood had subsided. I feel my music is my way of giving back to these wonderful people".
Prior to his introduction to American audiences, Harper released six albums to great acclaim in his homeland of Australia. Harper received a Gold Record for "Sailing Australia" (America's Cup Theme). Harper had the honor of backing Blues Legend Muddy Waters on harmonica for his West Australian tour. In 1994 he moved to Melbourne, Victoria and released his first album, "Tears of Ice"(New Market). This was followed by "Yesterday Is Over" in 1996 with his band Blue Devil and "Live At The Soup Kitchen" (recorded in Detroit) in 1997 as a soloist. In 2000, he released "Glass on The Stepping Stone" and "Live At St. Andrew’s" in 2002. In 2003 he released "Way Down Deep Inside", for which he received two harmonica awards and “Album of the Year” honor from US Magazine's "Guide to the Best of the Blues Harmonicas & Beyond" USA. Over the years Harper has received multiple Australian Blues Awards for “Male Vocalist of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” and “Acoustic Artist of the Year.”(TREV). Harper was also invited to perform at a Royal Gala Performance for the Queen of England in Perth, Western Australia.
His prolific recording career and memorable stage performances allowed Harper to take his music beyond Australia. He’s played in the USA, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium and France. He first started performing in the United States in 1996, and has toured here regularly since. It was on one of these tours that he caught the attention of Blind Pig Records, which made him their first international signing. With a home at a U.S. label and growing appreciation for his music from American audiences, Harper made the permanent move to the U.S. His animated shows have been well received at blues festivals, world music festivals, and by fans of jam band music.Harper has become a huge favorite on the world wide festival scene with an average of 20 to 30 festivals and 200 club dates per year. It was during one of these recent festival appearances that Chip Eagle, Publisher for Blues Revue/Blueswax enthusiastically offered "Harper is the most exciting act on the live scene today". He was also invited to perform harmonica on stage several times with US super group- "Journey".
Harper’s first Blind Pig release and American debut, 2005’s Down To The Rhythm, won accolades from the press for its unique sound and virtuoso performances, coupled with Harper’s compositional skill. “Harper is a crack harp player and he plays the instrument with both speed and efficiency, but it would be a mistake to pigeonhole Harper as just an impressive instrumentalist. He is also a solid songwriter, and a soulful singer with a knack for impassioned sincerity,” said All Music Guide. BluesWax noted, “There is much to enjoy here: clever songwriting, top-notch guitar, powerful rhythms, and some great Harper harp!
”Harper’s second release from Blind Pig Records, Day By Day (2007), provided fans wih another prime example of why his unique roots music style occupies a category of its own. Ramble Magazine raved that Harper's harp and lyrics have " a depth of feeling and thought that is unusual in today's music ..Harper's music is essential. It should be widely heard". Downbeat Magazine added "Harper uses his trump cards- a strong and direct singing voice, a stirring harmonica out of Sonny Boy Williamson 11 and Little Walter , a droning didgeridoo - to give his melodic tunes an excitement that suits his intelligent use of blues rock and soul forms". Blues legend John Mayall loved Harper's songs so much so, that he included " Just What Your'e Looking For" as track 2 on his new CD "Tough" (Eagle Records). Harper's third Blind Pig release "Stand Together" (2010) reached number 10 on the Billboard Charts and number 1 on Sirius XM Bluesville Charts.
Harper's CD “Live at the Blues Museum” (April 16, 2012- Blu Harp Records) was recorded on a cold wintery night on Saturday December 17, 2011 at Canada’s only Blues Museum, Place Concorde, Windsor, Canada. This was a very special evening for Harper as he was inducted into the Blues Museum Hall of Fame before a packed house of rabid music fans. This was also Harper’s first live CD in 10 years and it has proven to be worth the wait. This CD features 15 original tracks, over 75 minutes of playing from his three Blind Pig Releases “Stand Together” (2010), “Day By Day” (2007), “Down To The Rhythm” (2005) and his two independent releases: “Way Down Deep Inside” (2003) and “Glass On The Stepping Stone” (2000). “Live at the Blues Museum” gives the listener a portal to the magic that happens at a Harper concert. Rambles Magazine (USA) describes Harper as “a master Chicago-style harmonica player“. His extraordinary harmonica skills demonstrate electric ferocity to gentle acoustic finesse. Harper’s powerful soulful voice rips through this 15-song set with passion and integrity. His use of the deeply spiritual didgeridoo is definitely not a gimmick, but an extension of his song writing and arrangement skills. Harper’s unique sound is reflected in his use of rhythms and a tribal spirit he experienced growing up in Perth, Western Australia. The listener also catches a glimpse of Harper’s sense of humor and his depth of character. Harper loves to perform and we feel his joy! Harper’s non-stop touring schedule is self evident in the tightness and ease of performance. He is backed by his incredible Michigan based band “Midwest Kind” which features: Mike Howe on Lead Guitar, James Norris on Bass Guitar and Cam Lewis on Drums. Their familiarity with the arrangements and with each other's abilities allows them to elongate the groove giving Harper a great backdrop for his unique songs. "Live at the Blues Museum" got to number 1 on the Sirius/ XM National Radio Charts, USA/Canada. The new CD received "Best Live Recording" award by Blues411, New York, USA. 2012. Windsor, Canada's Television network- CFTV 34 aired "An Evening with Peter D. Harper" in the Spring of 2013. Harper was also nominated for two -2013 Detroit Music Awards- "Outstanding Artist" and "Outstanding Recording". Harper released a new acoustic blues CD with Motor City Josh called "Bare Bones" (Blu Harp Records) in October, 2013 and followed up with a very successful national tour. He also received a 2013 "Happy to Have the Blues Award"- Best Instrumentalist" -"Big City RnBlues Magazine. USA. Harper recently won a 2014 Detroit Music Award for "Outstanding Vocalist". He was also nominated for an incredible FIVE -2014 Detroit Music Awards- "Outstanding Acoustic Vocalist", "Outstanding World Music Vocalist", "Outstanding World Music Songwriter", "Outstanding Acoustic Recording- Bare Bones CD" and "Outstanding Blues Recording- Bare Bones CD". Harper and Midwest Kind was featured on PBS TV- WKAR "Back Stage Pass" in March 2015. This TV presentation is syndicated worldwide.
Harper has been nominated for two 2015 Detroit Music Awards; World Music Songwriter and World Music Instrumentalist.
Harper is at the top of his game with Stand Together" (2010) and his exceptional live CD Live at The Blues Museum (2012) and his acoustic Harper and Motor City Josh Bare Bones CD (2013). These CDs showcase his trademark powerful soulful voice, virtuoso harp playing, haunting didgeridoo, deeply, soulful grooves and unparalleled songwriting and compelling lyrics. With his chops at their best and his band Midwest Kind sharing his vision, Harper will continue to turn heads of audiences who are looking for originality, honesty, passion and skill in modern roots music. A new studio CD will be released in early 2016.
3) Harper is a 12 year old metal singer from the UK. She has been doing covers on her Youtube channel since 2021 and started releasing original music in 2022.
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Harper Lyrics
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'Til you've learned the meaning of the blues
Until you've loved a love you've had to lose,
You don't know what love is.
You don't know how lips hurt
Until you've kissed and had to pay the cost,
Until you've flipped your heart and you have lost,
Do you know how a lost heart fears
At the thought of reminiscing,
And how lips that taste of tears
Lose their taste for kissing?
You don't know how hearts burn
For love that can, not live yet never dies.
Until you've faced each dawn with sleepless eyes,
You don't know what love is.
In Harper Winard's song "You Don't Know What Love Is," the lyrics explore the multi-faceted nature of love, highlighting the idea that true understanding of love can only be achieved through experiencing its various aspects and accompanying emotions. The song suggests that love is not just about joy and happiness but also encompasses heartbreak, pain, and the bittersweet longing that arises from the loss of love.
The first verse asserts that one cannot truly comprehend the meaning of love until they have felt the weight of the blues, referring to the sorrow and melancholy that often accompany love. It suggests that love is not just about the joyous moments but also the painful ones, like losing a love that was once cherished. Love, in the context of the song, becomes a transformative experience that shapes an individual's understanding of emotions and relationships.
The second verse delves deeper into the idea of love's consequences. It talks about how lips can hurt, not just physically but also emotionally, when one has experienced the cost of expressing love through kisses. It highlights the vulnerability and risk involved in love, where one's heart can be flipped and subsequently lost. The lyrics emphasize the idea that love cannot be fully comprehended without acknowledging and accepting the potential heartache that might accompany it.
The bridge of the song explores the aftermath of lost love, focusing on the fear of reminiscing about a lost heart and the diminished desire for intimacy and connection, as lips that once tasted tears lose their taste for kissing. It reflects the transformative power of heartbreak and how it changes one's perspective on love.
The final lines of the song bring attention to the burning hearts that desire love that cannot be attained but also refuses to die. It describes the sleepless nights faced by those who have truly loved, emphasizing the emotional weight and complexity of love.
Overall, "You Don't Know What Love Is" portrays love as a multi-dimensional experience that encompasses both joy and pain, happiness and heartbreak. It suggests that true understanding of love can only be gained through experiencing its different facets and the accompanying emotions that shape one's perception of love.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't know what love is
You have yet to understand the true nature of love
'Til you've learned the meaning of the blues
Only when you have experienced sorrow and unhappiness can you truly grasp the essence of love
Until you've loved a love you've had to lose,
It is when you have loved someone deeply but had to let them go that you truly comprehend love
You don't know what love is.
Without going through these experiences, you cannot claim to truly know what love is
You don't know how lips hurt
You haven't felt the pain caused by a passionate kiss
Until you've kissed and had to pay the cost,
It is when you have experienced the consequences of an intense kiss, both good and bad, that you understand the potential pain involved in love
Until you've flipped your heart and you have lost,
It is only after taking risks and losing in matters of the heart that you can truly comprehend love
You don't know what love is.
Without going through these experiences, you cannot claim to truly know what love is
Do you know how a lost heart fears
Are you aware of the fear a broken heart experiences
At the thought of reminiscing,
When the mind dwells on memories, causing pain and longing
And how lips that taste of tears
When kisses are flavored with tears of sadness
Lose their taste for kissing?
They lose the desire for affectionate gestures
You don't know how hearts burn
You have yet to understand the intense passion and yearning within a heart
For love that can, not live yet never dies.
Longing for a love that cannot be fully realized, but still persists eternally
Until you've faced each dawn with sleepless eyes,
Only after spending countless nights awake, consumed by thoughts of love, can you truly comprehend its power
You don't know what love is.
Without going through these experiences, you cannot claim to truly know what love is
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DON RAYE, GENE DE PAUL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind