Ben Harper
Ben Harper
Benjamin Chase "Ben" Harperis an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances, and activism. He has released twelve regular studio albums, mostly through Virgin Records and has toured internationally. Harper is a three-time Grammy Award winner as well, winning awards for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album, in 2005. He also won a Grammy for Best...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBlues Singer
Date of Birth28 October 1969
CityPomona, CA
CountryUnited States of America
There's only one proper way a song should go, but you've got to be patient enough to let them come together time wise. Sometimes it's lightning in a bottle and you got the song. But oftentimes it shows up.
It's not easy for a mother and son to sing a duet. You can't just sing about anything.
The advice I have for new artists is this - write great songs and play them live as often as possible. Get residencies all over town and crush it.
I really feel there's no limitation on what this band can do in the studio or on the stage. That's an empowering feeling - that we can bring a song to life.
As long as the songs are strong, I think you can express yourself in any style and have it be soulful and have it be your own voice.
My band is the best band in the world, period. So, I insist on every song being better then it is on the record. So by the end of the tour, we have to be playing the song better then how it's recorded.
I write songs and I sing them from the deepest part of my existence and I hope they connect with the deepest part of yours.
People say, "How do you write songs?" I say, "Patience." I may have a track that's hot, but no words. I'll just let it sit for years, because I know they're going to meet. They'll find it.
So it's not so much that I set out to do something different, it's just that the songs themselves require their own individual voice and attention.
It's so hard to so, so easy to say. But sometimes, sometimes you just have to walk away.
Just because you have a hit doesn't mean you're good [at music]. Just means you got a hit.
As a songwriter, I don't rush. I may sit on lyrics for two years before the music hits.
I can change the world With my own two hands Make a better place With my own two hands Make a kinder place.
Take my hand when you are worried Take my hand when you're alone Take my hand and let me guide you Take my hand to lead you home.