Ben Harper — Alone
Album: Burn to ShineAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1512
Length: 3:49
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This empty room it fills my mind
Freedom it leaves me confined
Every single bone has cracked
But in this life, you can't turn back
I don't want to live
I don't want to live here alone, alone, alone, alone
As these words part with my tongue
I question why they're even sung
I promise but I lied
I don't even know myself inside
I don't want to be
I don't want to be here alone, alone, alone, alone
Today and tomorrow have become one
Every single thing has become none
Human nature is a beast
What I've done the most, to show i have the least
Please don't leave me here
Please don't leave me here
Don't you leave me alone, alone, alone, alone
Freedom it leaves me confined
Every single bone has cracked
But in this life, you can't turn back
I don't want to live
I don't want to live here alone, alone, alone, alone
As these words part with my tongue
I question why they're even sung
I promise but I lied
I don't even know myself inside
I don't want to be
I don't want to be here alone, alone, alone, alone
Today and tomorrow have become one
Every single thing has become none
Human nature is a beast
What I've done the most, to show i have the least
Please don't leave me here
Please don't leave me here
Don't you leave me alone, alone, alone, alone
Comments (92)add comment
amazing songwriter, showman, fullof humanity...i lov
Good Tune!
Great album, Great tune!!! I am blind to you - Haters.
Not bad! ...not great!
I like this much better than his later, "pop"-er style
That intermittent beeping noise makes me crazy. It sounds like my toaster oven telling me "it's done".
jagdriver wrote:
Ben can go suck an egg. PSD.
Baaaaad...I agree. 2
Ben can go suck an egg. PSD.
Baaaaad...I agree. 2
Brilliant rhythm section, particularly during the those tense verses.
redstorm wrote:
I'm not sure why you are surprised, many people are Christian (it's a reallllllly BIG TENT) and everyone is welcome.....or not (that is what makes it so cool) .....but being Christian for some means praising God continuously while for others it's about silent praise, and for others it's a constant struggle that we cant quite stop...like I said it's a BIG Tent... peace my brother
btw harper is a nice 7
Bump.
I'm not sure why you are surprised, many people are Christian (it's a reallllllly BIG TENT) and everyone is welcome.....or not (that is what makes it so cool) .....but being Christian for some means praising God continuously while for others it's about silent praise, and for others it's a constant struggle that we cant quite stop...like I said it's a BIG Tent... peace my brother
btw harper is a nice 7
Bump.
fredriley wrote:
Nope. Post a meaningful comment if you want a meaningful response. WTF is LIX anyway?
It's a readability measure.
Nope. Post a meaningful comment if you want a meaningful response. WTF is LIX anyway?
It's a readability measure.
This is not good.....
Ugh. this is ruining the lovely feeling of Gavin Coetzee that was just pleasuring my ears.
dig it !
mh53spock wrote:
This is cool writing mh53spock cheers! (do dig the tune as well : )
The baseline on this is sublime. It sits at the back of your skull and occasionally snaps you back to reality - as the guitar simmers under the percussion of your mind chilling in the throaty rasp of his voice. Dig it.
This is cool writing mh53spock cheers! (do dig the tune as well : )
Hannio wrote:
I've had the Kool-Aid. He can still go suck an egg.
I think you're missing the kool-aid.
I've had the Kool-Aid. He can still go suck an egg.
Johnny_Wave wrote:
Ben can go suck an egg. PSD.
Sorry, this is weak. Ben can sing this alone; I'm hitting PSD
Ben can go suck an egg. PSD.
mh53spock wrote:
The baseline on this is sublime. It sits at the back of your skull and occasionally snaps you back to reality - as the guitar simmers under the percussion of your mind chilling in the throaty rasp of his voice. Dig it.
Sorry, this is weak. Ben can sing this alone; I'm hitting PSD
The baseline on this is sublime. It sits at the back of your skull and occasionally snaps you back to reality - as the guitar simmers under the percussion of your mind chilling in the throaty rasp of his voice. Dig it.
ScottN wrote:
See him live. I only liked a few of his songs until that first show. My mind was blown...
I just don't get this guy's music. I know he has legions of fans, so what am I missing?
See him live. I only liked a few of his songs until that first show. My mind was blown...
ScottN wrote:
I think you're missing the kool-aid.
I just don't get this guy's music. I know he has legions of fans, so what am I missing?
I think you're missing the kool-aid.
I just don't get this guy's music. I know he has legions of fans, so what am I missing?
jagdriver wrote:
I think you're on to something.
I get it:
Nirvana - All Apologies RIP Kurt
Ben Harper - Alone (sounds dead)
The Doors - You're Lost Little Girl RIP Jim
Nirvana - All Apologies RIP Kurt
Ben Harper - Alone (sounds dead)
The Doors - You're Lost Little Girl RIP Jim
I think you're on to something.
Ben channeling Tool, or is it the other way around?
unclehud wrote:
Today, Feb 14th, you need to add an X to that sum.
Romans would do this math ...
L I X = 59
L I X = 59
Today, Feb 14th, you need to add an X to that sum.
luca77 wrote:
=) i caught Ben a few times. Mainly, i've seen him as the opening acts for groups that i was more interested in. the time that stands out in my mind was when i took a entire day & night getting ready to hit the road for a "1st thing in the morning departure" i had to pick up 3 ppl & i had to drive? when i got there, i was tired as hell but who cared! I was glad so we could all catch 3 days of phish! i took a really kewl chick, a good friend, his gal & my kewl hippy van up to the next state for the show. Once we got in there, i parked in a great spot. by this time, i was just running my body on fumes for my energy levels! we carried our stuff into the venue. i sat down as Ben came on stage. i saw the 1st maybe 5 minutes of the set. When he sat down to play the guitar on his lap, i sat down too. i guess the difference was maybe he didn't but i did... fall asleep that is! "just as Ben came on stage" according to her. she was wild for him & couldn't understand why i was / kept falling asleep. I went to see Phish. I needed my rest for the good stuff =)
to answer your question about the ticket prices rising for the music not always doing the same, my money says that Ben is quite good. i get the feeling that he is more for the chicks who are always going crazy while the dudes sit there and chill. the dudes pay for the shows ticket prices, and if it keeps them gals happy, we might get a good nap, right? =)
I think Ben Harper used to make really good music and he was a great live performer. This song was ok but I could only enjoy about half of this album and the % got less with each album he made that I heard. And his concert tickets got more and more expensive with each tour - it's hard to get used to paying x5 the price to see a guy you've seen several times already.
Anyway - enjoy the tunes people... people on their soapbox about musicians' beliefs e.t.c go put a box out on the street, stand on it, spew out all the crap you've been writing on here and see how many people stop to listen - that's how many people care. Then recognize that you're probably an idiot and put a sock in it.
Anyway - enjoy the tunes people... people on their soapbox about musicians' beliefs e.t.c go put a box out on the street, stand on it, spew out all the crap you've been writing on here and see how many people stop to listen - that's how many people care. Then recognize that you're probably an idiot and put a sock in it.
=) i caught Ben a few times. Mainly, i've seen him as the opening acts for groups that i was more interested in. the time that stands out in my mind was when i took a entire day & night getting ready to hit the road for a "1st thing in the morning departure" i had to pick up 3 ppl & i had to drive? when i got there, i was tired as hell but who cared! I was glad so we could all catch 3 days of phish! i took a really kewl chick, a good friend, his gal & my kewl hippy van up to the next state for the show. Once we got in there, i parked in a great spot. by this time, i was just running my body on fumes for my energy levels! we carried our stuff into the venue. i sat down as Ben came on stage. i saw the 1st maybe 5 minutes of the set. When he sat down to play the guitar on his lap, i sat down too. i guess the difference was maybe he didn't but i did... fall asleep that is! "just as Ben came on stage" according to her. she was wild for him & couldn't understand why i was / kept falling asleep. I went to see Phish. I needed my rest for the good stuff =)
to answer your question about the ticket prices rising for the music not always doing the same, my money says that Ben is quite good. i get the feeling that he is more for the chicks who are always going crazy while the dudes sit there and chill. the dudes pay for the shows ticket prices, and if it keeps them gals happy, we might get a good nap, right? =)
I think Ben Harper used to make really good music and he was a great live performer. This song was ok but I could only enjoy about half of this album and the % got less with each album he made that I heard. And his concert tickets got more and more expensive with each tour - it's hard to get used to paying x5 the price to see a guy you've seen several times already.
Anyway - enjoy the tunes people... people on their soapbox about musicians' beliefs e.t.c go put a box out on the street, stand on it, spew out all the crap you've been writing on here and see how many people stop to listen - that's how many people care. Then recognize that you're probably an idiot and put a sock in it.
Anyway - enjoy the tunes people... people on their soapbox about musicians' beliefs e.t.c go put a box out on the street, stand on it, spew out all the crap you've been writing on here and see how many people stop to listen - that's how many people care. Then recognize that you're probably an idiot and put a sock in it.
ckcotton wrote:
that's fairly sad...
Quite possibly his BEST song
that's fairly sad...
justsomeone wrote:
Nope. Post a meaningful comment if you want a meaningful response. WTF is LIX anyway?
LIX = A/B + (C x 100)/A, where
A = Number of words
B = Number of periods (defined by period, colon or capital first letter)
C = Number of long words (More than 6 letters)
... do the math
Nope. Post a meaningful comment if you want a meaningful response. WTF is LIX anyway?
Romans would do this math ...
L I X = 59
L I X = 59
fredriley wrote:
Dgradeworkunit wrote:
There's lots of fairy tales to go around - and quite a few are of the secular variety. Has everyone forgotten dialectical materialism for instance?
That's an analytical method, not a fairy tale. It's still used by serious academic historians and economists. Materialism, in a political and historical sense, is simply the view that events and social structures are moulded by objective economic factors rather than subjective 'idealistic' factors (as is the case with 'great men' history, for instance). Dialectical materialism is the added view that there's a 'dialectic' generated by the struggle between social classes. You can be a materialist analyst without taking on dialectical materialism. That dialectical materialism was elevated to the level of unquestionable dogma by Soviet regimes did make it a myth designed to give historical legitimacy to the regimes, but that doesn't invalidate it as an analytical method, no more than the fetishisation of science by such regimes delegitimates scientific enquiry.
Comparing a serious analytical method with the 'imaginary friend' approach of religion is insulting to both, and just plain inaccurate. We're talking chalk and cheese here.
There's lots of fairy tales to go around - and quite a few are of the secular variety. Has everyone forgotten dialectical materialism for instance?
That's an analytical method, not a fairy tale. It's still used by serious academic historians and economists. Materialism, in a political and historical sense, is simply the view that events and social structures are moulded by objective economic factors rather than subjective 'idealistic' factors (as is the case with 'great men' history, for instance). Dialectical materialism is the added view that there's a 'dialectic' generated by the struggle between social classes. You can be a materialist analyst without taking on dialectical materialism. That dialectical materialism was elevated to the level of unquestionable dogma by Soviet regimes did make it a myth designed to give historical legitimacy to the regimes, but that doesn't invalidate it as an analytical method, no more than the fetishisation of science by such regimes delegitimates scientific enquiry.
Comparing a serious analytical method with the 'imaginary friend' approach of religion is insulting to both, and just plain inaccurate. We're talking chalk and cheese here.
LIX = A/B + (C x 100)/A, where
A = Number of words
B = Number of periods (defined by period, colon or capital first letter)
C = Number of long words (More than 6 letters)
... do the math
2 > 1 today. no likee. 
It is splendid LIVE too.
Quite possibly his BEST song
Houston I think we have a problem
Stingray wrote:
a "O" away of being GOD
HARPER IS GOOD!
a "O" away of being GOD
Dgradeworkunit wrote:
There's lots of fairy tales to go around - and quite a few are of the secular variety. Has everyone forgotten dialectical materialism for instance?
That's an analytical method, not a fairy tale. It's still used by serious academic historians and economists. Materialism, in a political and historical sense, is simply the view that events and social structures are moulded by objective economic factors rather than subjective 'idealistic' factors (as is the case with 'great men' history, for instance). Dialectical materialism is the added view that there's a 'dialectic' generated by the struggle between social classes. You can be a materialist analyst without taking on dialectical materialism. That dialectical materialism was elevated to the level of unquestionable dogma by Soviet regimes did make it a myth designed to give historical legitimacy to the regimes, but that doesn't invalidate it as an analytical method, no more than the fetishisation of science by such regimes delegitimates scientific enquiry.
Comparing a serious analytical method with the 'imaginary friend' approach of religion is insulting to both, and just plain inaccurate. We're talking chalk and cheese here.
There's lots of fairy tales to go around - and quite a few are of the secular variety. Has everyone forgotten dialectical materialism for instance?
That's an analytical method, not a fairy tale. It's still used by serious academic historians and economists. Materialism, in a political and historical sense, is simply the view that events and social structures are moulded by objective economic factors rather than subjective 'idealistic' factors (as is the case with 'great men' history, for instance). Dialectical materialism is the added view that there's a 'dialectic' generated by the struggle between social classes. You can be a materialist analyst without taking on dialectical materialism. That dialectical materialism was elevated to the level of unquestionable dogma by Soviet regimes did make it a myth designed to give historical legitimacy to the regimes, but that doesn't invalidate it as an analytical method, no more than the fetishisation of science by such regimes delegitimates scientific enquiry.
Comparing a serious analytical method with the 'imaginary friend' approach of religion is insulting to both, and just plain inaccurate. We're talking chalk and cheese here.
Quite possibly his BEST song
nano wrote:
Seems so.
amazing song... ben harper can do no wrong
Seems so.
amazing song... ben harper can do no wrong
Love the creativity!
HARPER IS GOOD!
It's cool that one song can generate such a lively discussion. I love Ben Harper too!
horstman wrote:
It's exactly the same thing. It's called faith. Don't try and sugar coat one religion or belief in favor of another. This is what has gotten the world in the mess we've been in since day 2.
Oh, and I love Ben Harper (regardless of his orientation).
There's lots of fairy tales to go around - and quite a few are of the secular variety. Has everyone forgotten dialectical materialism for instance?
But surely one ought to consider on belief vs another. It's not like the Aztecs and Buddhists are the same thing.
Of course, if they were still around, my heart would go out to the Aztecs... literally!
It's exactly the same thing. It's called faith. Don't try and sugar coat one religion or belief in favor of another. This is what has gotten the world in the mess we've been in since day 2.
Oh, and I love Ben Harper (regardless of his orientation).
There's lots of fairy tales to go around - and quite a few are of the secular variety. Has everyone forgotten dialectical materialism for instance?
But surely one ought to consider on belief vs another. It's not like the Aztecs and Buddhists are the same thing.
Of course, if they were still around, my heart would go out to the Aztecs... literally!
SirLars wrote:
It's exactly the same thing. It's called faith. Don't try and sugar coat one religion or belief in favor of another. This is what has gotten the world in the mess we've been in since day 2.
Oh, and I love Ben Harper (regardless of his orientation).
Believing in a creator is not the same as believing in "fairy tales".
It's exactly the same thing. It's called faith. Don't try and sugar coat one religion or belief in favor of another. This is what has gotten the world in the mess we've been in since day 2.
Oh, and I love Ben Harper (regardless of his orientation).
kcar wrote:
Only if you're George Bush and you're lookin' for those nukular weapons of mass distruktion.
https://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2008/aug/12/bushlol?picture=336501045
Enjoy all 9 pictures, folks, of the President of Moronia.
eat mor chikin.
Only if you're George Bush and you're lookin' for those nukular weapons of mass distruktion.
https://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2008/aug/12/bushlol?picture=336501045
Enjoy all 9 pictures, folks, of the President of Moronia.
eat mor chikin.
One of my favorite Harper songs from my favorite Ben Harper album.
Mandible wrote:
For some reason I'm surprised to find out he's a christian https://creationproject.wordpress.com/2007/08/28/ben-harpers-faith/
redstorm wrote:
I'm not sure why you are surprised, many people are Christian (it's a reallllllly BIG TENT) and everyone is welcome.....or not (that is what makes it so cool) .....but being Christian for some means praising God continuously while for others it's about silent praise, and for others it's a constant struggle that we cant quite stop...like I said it's a BIG Tent... peace my brother
btw harper is a nice 7
how does that make him a Christian?
It says nothing about him being a believer in Christ, but merely in a creator. Believing in a creator is not the same as believing in "fairy tales".
P.S. great tune. 8
Mandible wrote:
I'm not sure why you are surprised, many people are Christian (it's a reallllllly BIG TENT) and everyone is welcome.....or not (that is what makes it so cool) .....but being Christian for some means praising God continuously while for others it's about silent praise, and for others it's a constant struggle that we cant quite stop...like I said it's a BIG Tent... peace my brother
btw harper is a nice 7
For some reason I'm surprised to find out he's a christian https://creationproject.wordpress.com/2007/08/28/ben-harpers-faith/
I'm not sure why you are surprised, many people are Christian (it's a reallllllly BIG TENT) and everyone is welcome.....or not (that is what makes it so cool) .....but being Christian for some means praising God continuously while for others it's about silent praise, and for others it's a constant struggle that we cant quite stop...like I said it's a BIG Tent... peace my brother
btw harper is a nice 7
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals (bassist Juan Nelson, drummer Dean Butterworth and percussionist David Leach) leaning into a groove and seemingly enjoying it like never before. Similarly, the opening "Alone" and closing one-two of 'Beloved One" and "In The Lord's Arms" are pure soul laid bare: arguably the most vulnerable moments Harper has committed to record.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burn_to_Shine_(album)
A very nice piece of work indeed.
For some reason I'm surprised to find out he's a christian https://creationproject.wordpress.com/2007/08/28/ben-harpers-faith/
| Hannio (Austin, TX) |
|
I'll listen to this this one time before I do an auto-knee-jerk on the headphones, but yes, I agree with you both. Not sure what all the hoopla's about in regard to this guy. I certainly did NOT understand what he was doing on the Standing In the Shadows of Motown DVD.
I get it:
Nirvana - All Apologies RIP Kurt
Ben Harper - Alone (sounds dead)
The Doors - You're Lost Little Girl RIP Jim
This is not my most favorite Ben Harper song...but groovy nonetheless
Rock solid 9...something about Ben's music evokes Jimmy Hendrix memories...love his music.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Yeah, me too. A solid 2.
I hate this less than I hate most of Ben's stuff. Didn't make me rip my headphones off.
Yeah, me too. A solid 2.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Only if you're George Bush and you're lookin' for those nukular weapons of mass distruktion.
https://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2008/aug/12/bushlol?picture=336501045
Enjoy all 9 pictures, folks, of the President of Moronia.
But does inteligence mean intelligence?
Only if you're George Bush and you're lookin' for those nukular weapons of mass distruktion.
https://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2008/aug/12/bushlol?picture=336501045
Enjoy all 9 pictures, folks, of the President of Moronia.
Try to get the acoustic version of this song, amazing.
P.
CoYoT51 wrote:
Maybe because "good taste" doesn't mean "inteligence"
But does inteligence mean intelligence?
Ballzak wrote:
I've seen him when I thought he was boring and seemed uninterested in interacting with the crowd and I've seen him (recently in Seattle) when he tore out a fricking fantastic show and was very involved with the crowd. I imagine he is somewhat/moderately bi-polar or something like that (common in performers and "stars").
When they tour, they tour long and hard so it'd be diffucult to keep the energy every night (even if he is sitting down). That's their choice though - it's not like they're touring to pay the rent. Anyways, his first 2 albums will always be amongst my favourites. 3rd was ok..the rest I can't be bothered with.
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Hardly. He sits for his entire show and shows no emotion or interaction with the crowd. I've seen him twice and fell asleep during both shows. The only two times I have fallen asleep at a concert in my life.
I've seen him when I thought he was boring and seemed uninterested in interacting with the crowd and I've seen him (recently in Seattle) when he tore out a fricking fantastic show and was very involved with the crowd. I imagine he is somewhat/moderately bi-polar or something like that (common in performers and "stars").
I didn't really like this song, but I gave it one extra point for the costumes on the album cover. :-)
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Hardly. He sits for his entire show and shows no emotion or interaction with the crowd. I've seen him twice and fell asleep during both shows. The only two times I have fallen asleep at a concert in my life.
Please get screened for narcolepsy. We're worried about you dude!
Wow,
I have this cd at home and I never noticed this song.
it's dark and cool.
I dig it
I'll pull this one out of the closet and add this song to my itunes.
Thanks Bill!
Atlantis wrote:
Interesting. He has always been fantastic when I have seen him.
If you hated the first show so much, why did you go back?
Maybe because "good taste" doesn't mean "inteligence"
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Hardly. He sits for his entire show and shows no emotion or interaction with the crowd. I've seen him twice and fell asleep during both shows. The only two times I have fallen asleep at a concert in my life.
Interesting. He has always been fantastic when I have seen him.
If you hated the first show so much, why did you go back?
hippiechick wrote:
Ben Harper is a great performer.
Hardly. He sits for his entire show and shows no emotion or interaction with the crowd. I've seen him twice and fell asleep during both shows. The only two times I have fallen asleep at a concert in my life.
I love hearing an artist that delivers the 'goods'. Ben Harper does just that. He's the genuine article. I've been scarfing up as many of his CDs as I can on Ebay. I just paid .99 for 'Welcome to the Cruel World'.
Mr. Harper makes some very cool music. I never knew of him prior to RP.
Nice.
I hate this less than I hate most of Ben's stuff. Didn't make me rip my headphones off.
hippiechick wrote:
Ben Harper is a great performer.
Absolutely!!
I saw him once, and it won't be the last time.
The best part was after the break when he sat down on an armchair, just him, alone with his guitar. You couldn't hear a whisper.
Very impressive!
Fiji5555 wrote:
His voice reminds me of Cat Stevens......kinda. 
Little bit, but he will summon Hendrix in concert.
from Zep to Ben Harpers-Alone. Its audio sex.
hippiechick wrote:
Ben Harper is a great performer. He is also the father of Laura's Dern's 2 children (I don't think they're married.)
I enjoy all his albums, except for his Jesus songs.
yeah ... his jesus songs, not so much.
Ben rocks!!!
Wow!
I've got great memories attached to this song and album.
Good times.
yclept wrote:
The story of Christianity is the story of the beliefs that Jesus professed developing into the religion that professes Jesus. In other words; dogma. It is pure folly to believe that Simon Peter, Thomas, Mary Magdalene et.al followed Jesus because, when he died, they would be able to absolve their sins by believing in him.
I'm curious as to why you take exception to his "Jesus" tunes...does it make you uncomfortable? do the notes sound off, or make the sentiment any less worthwhile? I'm not speaking from any particular religious viewpoint in regards to this. I just wonder how you'd feel about JS Bach's work....or Rumi's poetry?? We live in a very secular place and time, but it would be foolish to discount all the great words and music that were/are written with a spiritual inspiration.
They were married right after their last child was born. What's your opinion on that??
The more that I hear from Ben Harper, the more I like his music.
His voice reminds me of Cat Stevens......kinda.
yclept wrote:
I'm curious as to why you take exception to his "Jesus" tunes...
Maybe she's just objecting to his Jesus Jones covers.
Wow! I've always loved Ben, but this song is OUTTA SITE!
Damn! I though for sure it was a Phil Collins song I'd never heard... Ben's soundin' alright... 
hippiechick wrote:
Ben Harper is a great performer. He is also the father of Laura's Dern's 2 children (I don't think they're married.)
I enjoy all his albums, except for his Jesus songs.
I'm curious as to why you take exception to his "Jesus" tunes...does it make you uncomfortable? do the notes sound off, or make the sentiment any less worthwhile? I'm not speaking from any particular religious viewpoint in regards to this. I just wonder how you'd feel about JS Bach's work....or Rumi's poetry?? We live in a very secular place and time, but it would be foolish to discount all the great words and music that were/are written with a spiritual inspiration.
They were married right after their last child was born. What's your opinion on that??
mmm still love ben
Ben Harper is a great performer. He is also the father of Laura's Dern's 2 children (I don't think they're married.)
I enjoy all his albums, except for his Jesus songs.
sounds like something (band and song) i could grow into!!
Cool song, but during the first few seconds I thought I was hearing "Spanish Caravan."
Speaking of which: lets hear "Spanish Caravan," please.
good song. great artist, very talented.
First post! 