In 1981 Harper appeared in his Father's movie "One Trick Pony", as a young Jonah Levin, during the opening song "Late in the Evening." Harper James Simon began his journey as a musician at an early age. In 1983, at the age of 9, he appeared on the children's program Sesame Street with his father. Together they sang "Ricardo The Cowboy" and "Bingo." By the age of 12, he was on the Graceland tour, as the guitarist who accompanied his father. Many of Paul Simon's lyrics include references to Harper, most notably "St Judy's Comet" and "Graceland." Harper, travel companion of his former stepmother Carrie Fisher, also regularly appears in pieces written by Fisher for the New York Times.
In NYC Harper frequently played music with his childhood friend Sean Lennon, son of famed musician John Lennon. Harper played guitar on Sean's second album, Friendly Fire, and also appeared in the film by the same name with actors Lindsay Lohan, Bijou Phillips, Devon Aoki, and Carrie Fisher.] After attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., Harper moved to London for several years where he played with the band Menlo Park.
In 2005, Harper performed in Afghanistan with tabla player Suphala. Also in 2006, Harper recorded an album with stepmother Edie Brickell, wife of Paul Simon, and the lead singer of the band Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Other collaborations that year included projects with Bijou Phillips, Carl Perkins on Go Cat Go, and with actress Jena Malone. Together, Harper and Jena wrote "Tested Dry," a song on which he also played guitar and drums.
In 2007, Rolling Stone Magazine writer Austin Scaggs found Harper's work noteworthy and wrote about the musician in the January 2007 print edition. The article discussed Harper's first solo project recorded in Nashville, Tenn. Harper co-produced that album with legendary producer Bob Johnston, known for producing albums for Bob Dylan, including Highway 61 Revisited, and Johnny Cash, most notably his albums Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison and Johnny Cash at San Quentin. The pianist Hargus "Pig" Robbins and the multi-instrumentalist Charlie McCoy of "Blonde on Blonde" added to the sound with other musicians such as Mike Leach and Gene Christman, known for their work with Elvis Presley.
Harper's musical contributions also cover film, and they include the Abel Ferrara films New Rose Hotel and The Blackout.
In February 2008, Harper Simon and Edie Brickell formed the group the Heavy Circles, and it released an album, which Simon co-produced with Bryce Goggin. Harpers new self titled solo album is to be released on October 13th 2009 (his father's birthday) on his own Tulsi Records.
Berkeley Girl
Harper Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She is amethyst and pearl
And though she makes her home in Hollywood
She's really just a Berkeley girl
She's the breeze on Sunday morning
Blowing down a country lane
She's got the style of Paulette Goddard
And she drives a car in gear
Through the streets of Silver Lake
And the hills are Velcro Park
She is criminal in satin
She is leopard skin and lace
Hard to believe that she believed in me
When I was such a hopeless case
And she knows from love and service
Yes she knows from peace of mind
To be not sinister in purpose
And to never be unkind
And she loves a Tulsi garden
And she loves her rock 'n roll
And she's never far from my mind
She is juniper and roses
Guess I'll sing it once again
And though we are no longer lovers
I know she'll always be my friend
So if you're ever right beside her
Drivin' down the 101
Be thankful that you're with a Berkeley girl
Who's beautiful beneath the moon and the sun
The song Berkeley Girl by Harper Simon is about a woman who embodies the spirit of her hometown Berkeley even though she resides in Hollywood. The opening lines "She is juniper and roses, She is amethyst and pearl" describe the woman's natural and feminine beauty. Although she lives in Hollywood, the lyrics emphasize that she still reflects the ideals of the counter-culture movement of the 60s that Berkeley was known for. The lyric "And she drives a car in gear through the streets of Silver Lake, And the hills are Velcro Park" indicates that she has a carefree spirit and enjoys the simple pleasures of life.
The song further describes the woman's personality and values. "She knows from love and service, Yes she knows from peace of mind, To be not sinister in purpose, And to never be unkind" shows that she is kind and compassionate, and she believes in living a meaningful life. The lines "She loves a Tulsi garden, And she loves her rock 'n roll, And she's never far from my mind" indicate that the woman has diverse interests but still manages to keep her priorities straight. The final words "So if you're ever right beside her, Drivin' down the 101, Be thankful that you're with a Berkeley girl, Who's beautiful beneath the moon and the sun" suggest that the woman is a rare gem, and anyone who gets to spend time with her should consider herself lucky.
Line by Line Meaning
She is juniper and roses
She is natural and pure
She is amethyst and pearl
She is rare and valuable
And though she makes her home in Hollywood
Despite living in a glamorous place like Hollywood
She's really just a Berkeley girl
She is simple at heart
She's the breeze on Sunday morning
She is refreshing and comforting
Blowing down a country lane
Moving smoothly and gently
She's got the style of Paulette Goddard
She has a unique and elegant style
And the smile of June Fontaine
She has a warm and friendly smile
And she drives a car in gear
She is independent and confident
Through the streets of Silver Lake
Driving in a trendy and fashionable area
And the hills are Velcro Park
The surroundings are picturesque and memorable
She is criminal in satin
She is irresistibly tempting
She is leopard skin and lace
She is wild and unpredictable
Hard to believe that she believed in me
I am surprised that she had faith in me
When I was such a hopeless case
When I was in a bad situation
And she knows from love and service
She understands the importance of love and helping others
Yes she knows from peace of mind
She knows how to stay calm and relaxed
To be not sinister in purpose
To have good intentions
And to never be unkind
To always be kind and compassionate
And she loves a Tulsi garden
She likes to be around nature
And she loves her rock 'n roll
She enjoys music with energy and passion
And she's never far from my mind
I always think of her
Guess I'll sing it once again
I will repeat myself
And though we are no longer lovers
Although we are not in a romantic relationship anymore
I know she'll always be my friend
I still value her friendship
So if you're ever right beside her
If you happen to be with her
Drivin' down the 101
Driving on the famous California freeway
Be thankful that you're with a Berkeley girl
Appreciate being with someone who is genuine and down-to-earth
Who's beautiful beneath the moon and the sun
Who is beautiful in all settings
Writer(s): Harper James Simon Copyright: Songs Of Universal Inc.
Contributed by Joseph H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Eddie Winters
We need more music like this. More beautifully written songs. Harper has a God given talent.
AudiophileTubes
Beautiful song! We need more music like this in today's 'plastic' day and age!
Eddie Winters
Agreed.
ruivog
You're so right.
Dom Brunelli
Oh, yeah..Like finding an old Paul Simon diamond..Wonderful. I freaking love this song/sound...It's 1968 again..Thank you, Harper. The vid is also perfect.
ladydiuk
Love this . Such a retro feel . Great genes Harper . Loved your dad now love you !
Inquiring Mind
This music penetrates my deepest innermost.
Anyone listening in 2020?
Leonard GriffinNL
Yes!! My most played song of 2022
IRMejia
Definitely an early 70's music vibe...beautiful!
Tj WindSong
Harper...... OMG those harmonies and his singing it's beautiful! 10 stars up!