Ben Harper: A Roots Music Journey in Covers and Originals
Ben Harper is an American roots musician who has built a global following, partly thanks to standout covers of Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye and The Drugs Don’t Work by The Verve.
His debut album Welcome To The Cruel World (1994) was quickly followed by Fight For Your Mind the next year. With these two albums, word about Ben Harper started to spread.
Two standout tunes from this early period are Waiting On An Angel and Another Lonely Day—both excellent beginner guitar songs using open-position chords, just tuned down a tone.
Harper has consistently toured internationally, particularly in Europe, building a loyal fan base far beyond the U.S.
One of his most celebrated collaborations came in 2004, when he teamed up with gospel legends The Blind Boys of Alabama to record the deeply groovy There Will Be A Light.
Initially known for his Weissenborn slide guitar work, Harper has since proven himself a master of many guitars—and his band The Innocent Criminals aren’t too shabby either.
Perhaps the most important lesson Ben Harper offers new artists is this: playing other people’s songs isn’t something you grow out of once you’ve “made it”. His takes on Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen) and Mercy Mercy Me (Marvin Gaye, again) are proof that great musicians never stop honouring great songs.
Ben Harper Tunes | Related Pages
Another Lonely Day | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Another Lonely Day by Ben Harper using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C /B | Am | Em | G /A |
Yes, indeed I’m, alone again…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Another Lonely Day (Ben Harper) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
The Drugs Don’t Work | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play The Drugs Don’t Work by The Verve using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| C Csus2 | C G/B | Am Asus2 | Am Asus2 |
All this talk of getting old, it’s getting me down my love…
Start learning with the full lesson series: The Drugs Don’t Work – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Hallelujah | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley and Leonard Cohen using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G5 | Em7 |
I heard there was a secret chord…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Hallelujah (Jeff Buckley + Leonard Cohen) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Mercy Mercy Me | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Mercy Mercy Me by Marvin Gaye using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Emaj7 (Emaj9) | Emaj9 Emaj7 |
Woah, oh, mercy, mercy me…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Mercy Mercy Me (Marvin Gaye) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Waiting On An Angel | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Waiting On An Angel by Ben Harper using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C | C/B | Am7 | G Gsus4 |
Waiting on an angel…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Waiting On An Angel (Ben Harper) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Ben Harper on the web
