I’m not going to do the Ben Harper house record or the Ben Harper drum ‘n’ bass record.
I’ve never made a record that didn’t sound better than what was in my head – that’s sort of my rule.
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.
My main concern when travelling around the world is finding a place to skateboard!
It’s not easy for a mother and son to sing a duet. You can’t just sing about anything.
Every single time I step into the studio, I say, ‘Can I still do this? Do I still have it? Have I ever had it?’ I suppose there’s a good amount of self-loathing that goes into any form of artisanship.
The music is in the lead here, and a large part of this, I have no idea what I’m doing. I feel a closer bond with the craft of songwriting, stronger than I ever have.
That happens every time I get behind a guitar, regardless of what I’m saying, ’cause music is freedom and being free is the closest I’ve ever felt to being spiritual.
Sometimes I think to talk too much about music almost cheapens it.
You can kill a lot of time if you really want to put your mind to it Or leave it all behind and never really have to go through it.
You have to do what you believe in.
I’m more afraid of falling than I am of flying high. I’m not as scared of dying as I am of growing old. Every battle has its glory and its consequence.
In my life I have been blessed In my life I have been cursed I have lived the best of times I have suffered the worst Do you know which road you’re traveling? Do you know where you want to be? With so many roads to travel, There’s just one can set you free.
The lifetime we’ve left behind with strangers Promises and lies both have their dangers. I just can’t be wrong enough and I can’t hide for long enough So far away, but I still feel your pain.
Now I love to feel that warm southern rain, Just to hear it fall is the sweetest sounding thing. And to see it fall on your simple country dress It’s like heaven to me I must confess.
If you’re gonna live, then live it up.
The world awakens on the run And will soon be earning With hopes of better days to come It’s a morning yearning.
I can change the world With my own two hands Make a better place With my own two hands Make a kinder place.
Children come running to the truth But you’ve got to peel the skin to get the fruit And while one’s living high another’s grieving But what’s sweet by morning is bitter by the evening Oh – What’s sweet by morning is bitter by the evening.
As a songwriter, I don’t rush. I may sit on lyrics for two years before the music hits.
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.