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Ben Harper — With My Own Two Hands
Album: Diamonds On the Inside
Avg rating:
5.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 573









Released: 2003
Length: 4:31
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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I can change the world
with my own two hands
make a better place
with my own two hands
make a kinder place
with my own two hands
with my own, with my own two hands
with my own, with my own two hands

I can make peace on earth
with my own two hands
And i can clean up the earth
With my own two hands
And I can reach out to you
With my own two hands
With my own, with my own two hands
With my own, with my own two hands

Im gonna make it a brighter place
Gonna make it a safer place
Gonna help the human race
with my own, with my own two hands

I can hold you
In my own two hands
And i can comfort you
With my own to hands
Youve got to use
Use your own to hands

Im gonna make it a brighter place
Im gonna make it a safer place
Gonna help the human race
OH make it a brighter place
I can hold you
I can comfort you
But you got to, got to, got to, go to, got to
use, use your own, oh use your own lord
Comments (93)add comment
Same sound and production than Talkin' Blues, recorded by Bob Marley and The Wailers in Sausalito (73).
A cool style exercise, a tribute to that BMW record.
Posted 2 years ago by natius    [ Reply ]
 Mugro wrote:

I am kind of surprised at the negative comments here. Is it that "anti-reggae" lobby that is behind this? Or am I just missing the culture boat here and liking something that I should think sucks?




There's an anti -Reggae Lobby? Culture boat?  You have quite dismal,political , and presumptive approach to peoples aesthetics.
Posted 2 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Yeah? So how's that going,Ben?
Posted 2 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
So.....we can make the world a brighter place, and I need to employ both hands. Ok, got it. Only had to tell me once...
Posted 19 years ago by fahartle    [ Reply ]
this one of few RP ratings that surprises me. I really thought this ong deserved better.
Posted 19 years ago by trempel    [ Reply ]
Jennnn wrote:
BH is really a great talent. Song choices are just never quite right, though. He needs a better producer.
:nodhead:
Posted 19 years ago by Daveinbawlmer    [ Reply ]
jlind wrote:
I'm normally a Harper fan, but this song just sucks.
To each thine own for sure, but if you are a fan, or not, check out the entire disc - I find the musical range, from pop to blues to reggae to folk to hard rock, simply amazing. His playing is amazing as well, both acoustic and electric: genuine and heartfelt. Burn one down for Ben!
Posted 19 years ago by Strummerdad    [ Reply ]
I've never understood the Ben Harper hype. This song makes me want to stop trying. :headshake:
Posted 19 years ago by spartan    [ Reply ]
I'm normally a Harper fan, but this song just sucks.
Posted 19 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]
were all these folks bored of Bob, too?... this is a beauty old school reggae stylee tune...just need to be able to catch the vibe, i guess...
Posted 19 years ago by stevieslo    [ Reply ]
Mugro wrote:
I am kind of surprised at the negative comments here. Is it that "anti-reggae" lobby that is behind this? Or am I just missing the culture boat here and liking something that I should think sucks?
Culture boat, shmulture boat. We like what we like, and that's how I like it. For myself, I'm not crazy about this. Or most reggae, for that matter. Could be I haven't heard the right reggae yet. Mostly when I think "reggae", I flash back on UB40's "Red Red Wine", which still makes me cringe and shudder. (Would someone explain how so many of my best times are lost to memory, but I can easily recall the songs I hated?) Anyway, it's not for me. But if it's for someone else, so much the better.
Posted 19 years ago by winter    [ Reply ]
I am kind of surprised at the negative comments here. Is it that "anti-reggae" lobby that is behind this? Or am I just missing the culture boat here and liking something that I should think sucks?
Posted 19 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
I'm a huge fan of Ben Harper, but this track makes me wonder why. Thumbs down.
Posted 19 years ago by amb599    [ Reply ]
Boring.
Posted 19 years ago by jwwindy    [ Reply ]
BH is really a great talent. Song choices are just never quite right, though. He needs a better producer.
Posted 19 years ago by Jennnn    [ Reply ]
Lame.
Posted 19 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
now this, i can dig, hm? this song should remind us all that we really CAN do anything ourselves, and by that same token, we should never forget to take responsibility for that.
Posted 19 years ago by PattonFever    [ Reply ]
Never heard of Ben Harper before. Great song, enough said. This is why I listen to RP.
Posted 19 years ago by eljefe    [ Reply ]
ppike wrote:
Hearing him take this into Bob's "War" is amazing
indeed it is. This is a great song, surprised it's getting bashed so much here, but each to thiner own I guess.
Posted 19 years ago by sherp    [ Reply ]
I thought we all agreed to stop using the "bow-SHIKA-pow" sounds in 1979.
Posted 19 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
...sweaty hairy balls in the dirt, trading soil for soil...
Posted 19 years ago by Bill_Kunsler    [ Reply ]
japanmoran wrote:
I like the live version better...
Hearing him take this into Bob's "War" is amazing
Posted 20 years ago by ppike    [ Reply ]
I like the live version better...
Posted 20 years ago by japanmoran    [ Reply ]
stevo_b wrote:
Honestly, let's keep Mr. Harper on the commercial airwaves where this shit belongs. I am so sick and tired of this guys crap. I gave it a higher rating than it deserved, I feel good today. Delete this from the harddrive ASAP.
Don't you listen to 'em, guys, you just keep playing the good stuff!
Posted 20 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
If you think all the songs on, say, Exodus, sound the same, you're crazy. But this song is kinda lame.
Posted 20 years ago by dingleberry    [ Reply ]
I'm really trying to keep an open mind about this guy, but I just do not get it.
Posted 20 years ago by Cyclehawk    [ Reply ]
I can hit the mute button, with my own two hands!
Posted 20 years ago by mig7    [ Reply ]
bluedot wrote:
don't care wat'ch'all say. great sentiment, great song! geta clue, y'all. mr. ben harper is ONTO somethinhere. it's not about the "reggae." it's about the truth he's TELLIN. get a CLUE, y'all....
OK--great message--Lousy song.
Posted 20 years ago by mig7    [ Reply ]
Pyro wrote:
For the life of me, and no matter how many spleefs I light, I just can't get into reggae....
Ditto. But I kinda like this song - so there ya' go!
Posted 20 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]
For the life of me, and no matter how many spleefs I light, I just can't get into reggae. It all sound the same to me...emphasis on the 2nd and 4th beats...and repetitious beyond my patience level.
Posted 20 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Bill, the title track to this album is great. Definitely much better than this.
Posted 20 years ago by wxman    [ Reply ]
Honestly, let's keep Mr. Harper on the commercial airwaves where this shit belongs. I am so sick and tired of this guys crap. I gave it a higher rating than it deserved, I feel good today. Delete this from the harddrive ASAP.
Posted 20 years ago by stevo_b    [ Reply ]
:x
Posted 20 years ago by toastee    [ Reply ]
:)
Posted 21 years ago by bluedot    [ Reply ]
don't care wat'ch'all say. great sentiment, great song! geta clue, y'all. mr. ben harper is ONTO somethinhere. it's not about the "reggae." it's about the truth he's TELLIN. get a CLUE, y'all....
Posted 21 years ago by bluedot    [ Reply ]
Not for nuthin', but this sounds like a Saturday Night Live parody of a reggae band. Lameness made even more glaring by the segue out of Audioslave, which was great. Retire this one any time.
Posted 21 years ago by dadofsammy    [ Reply ]
I've been a ben harper fan for quite a while, but have recently been disappointed in his work. I think 'diamonds' is the first of his albums he's produced himself. No offense, but he needs to get JP Plunier back. I saw him this summer with Jack Johnson, and it was obvious that Ben's still got it, just not in the studio.
Posted 21 years ago by Adam    [ Reply ]
Right on! Ben Harper rocks. He pulls off so many different sounds. This song may be a bit simple, but it's a great Marley style Reggae song. arimelmed wrote:
He is our generation's Bob Marley! how talented is this man who also sounds like Lenny Kravitz, Cat Stevens, Black Crows, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Henricks!
Posted 21 years ago by AliCarlo    [ Reply ]
I heard my first reggae song years ago. And each one I've heard since sounds exactly the same. This entire genre is too predictable. (how's that for a flame invitation? ;-)
Posted 21 years ago by pdxbob    [ Reply ]
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
At least your wife didn't buy the CD! Mine did.
This song isn't so great, but that's a great album! Your wife has great taste........ in music :)
Posted 21 years ago by mrmonkey    [ Reply ]
Don't judge an artist by one song. His album is wonderful.
Posted 21 years ago by graterb    [ Reply ]
I'd like to use my two hands to cover his mouth right now.
Posted 21 years ago by Ames    [ Reply ]
I like Mr. Harper but this song is just a cacophony. It does inspire me - to tune out!
Posted 21 years ago by justlistening    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by ANNE_MARIE: personal power...a great message in my opinion.
But in such a poor song. When you repeat the message ad infinitum, it gets old.
Posted 21 years ago by stubbsz    [ Reply ]
It only takes one hand to hit the mute button!
Posted 21 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]
Excessive PeaceMongering.
Posted 21 years ago by MaK    [ Reply ]
The first time I heard this on RP, I thought it sucked. But it\'s been a while now....now that I hear it again, I\'ll re-evaluate it: ...it still sucks....
Posted 21 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
Someone needs to tell this guy that he is NOT Bob Marley!!
Posted 21 years ago by Last_DJ    [ Reply ]
I can tie my shoes with my own two hands that\'s about it
Posted 21 years ago by shel-nyc    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by LBRC: I TURN OFF THE RADIO BECAUSE THIS IS PLAYED AT LEAST TWICE A DAY ON THAT STATION. I TURN ON RP AND WHAT DO I HEAR?. . .
At least your wife didn't buy the CD! Mine did.
Posted 21 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Wish I could rip his head off, with my own two hands...
Posted 21 years ago by patrick_larson    [ Reply ]
Although not a massive fan of this dude, I don\'t usually mind hearing his stuff. But this is a tad tedious.
Posted 21 years ago by stubbsz    [ Reply ]
must......rip......off......headphones.........
Posted 21 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by chiel_m: I agree.....
NO PLAY HIM ALL DAY.
Posted 21 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by JohnMac: I like Ben Harper and all, but don't we hear enough of him?
I agree.....
Posted 21 years ago by chiel_m    [ Reply ]
I like Ben Harper and all, but don\'t we hear enough of him?
Posted 21 years ago by JohnMac    [ Reply ]
Am I the only one who thinks he sounds more than a little like the late Nina Simone on this track? Not that that's necessarily a bad thing.......
Posted 21 years ago by AC    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by gstark33: I have two hands. I want a better world. Work party anybody? On a less salubrious note: The Honorable Mr. LBRC is quite easily predicted. In my book that is the antithesis of what is going on here. But hey! What do I know?
seriously but this song doth sucketh the big one BIG TIME!
Posted 21 years ago by orpheus    [ Reply ]
I have two hands. I want a better world. Work party anybody? On a less salubrious note: The Honorable Mr. LBRC is quite easily predicted. In my book that is the antithesis of what is going on here. But hey! What do I know?
Originally Posted by ScottFromWyoming: I disagree with LBRC's claim that Marley and Lennon don't preach. It just ain't Christianity they're preachin'. I disagree with LBRC's claim that Dylan just mumbles. Well, sometimes. I disagree with LBRC's use of the CapsLock key. But I do agree with LBRC: Ben Harper is boring.
Posted 21 years ago by gstark33    [ Reply ]
originally posted by lbrc: please, let me correct you by saying that marley and lennon do not preach. they produce great music with poetic real life lyrics for accompaniment. (dylan just mumbles) and ben harper is frankly, boring! ;)
i disagree with lbrc's claim that marley and lennon don't preach. it just ain't christianity they're preachin'. i disagree with lbrc's claim that dylan just mumbles. well, sometimes. i disagree with lbrc's use of the capslock key. but i do agree with lbrc: ben harper is boring.
Posted 21 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Just saw Ben at Memphis In May. Not too exciting. I have heard him play better. This song is OK, I guess.
Posted 21 years ago by Spliff    [ Reply ]
Repetition can at times be a highly effective technique for conveying a message. This is NOT one of those times.
Posted 21 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
Sorry Ben, This song just doesn\'t do a thing for me. Too tedious for words.
Posted 21 years ago by Coppertop    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Dotman: ben makes it a bitter place, with his own two fans. here comes the chorus. dot.
Posted 21 years ago by Tizmself    [ Reply ]
ben makes it a bitter place, with his own two fans. here comes the chorus. dot.
Posted 21 years ago by Dotman    [ Reply ]
For those interested, the RS review of the new Harper cd. Also, fyi, he is touring this summer with Jack Johnson. Ben puts on a fantastic live show. "Even as he invokes folks such as Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix, Ben Harper turns rock cliches inside out until they mean something new again. The Black Crowes-damaged title track of Harper's fifth studio album -- a lush sweep of twelve-string and pedal steel guitars -- is sweeter than ninety percent of the cock rock that it echoes. Often, when Harper seems to be singing about some spangly rock chick, he's crooning about the Queen of Heaven -- at least that's the case with "When She Believes," a lullaby that's all accordions, harps and fuzzy-blanket chords. Harper works out of a tradition that is older than rock: the African-American church and its more secular members' tradition of blending gospel righteousness with pop grooves. "Brown Eyed Blues" is good wah-wah funk, but it's Harper's quavering, weak-with-lust vocal that makes it irresistible. He understands that pop music isn't just a parade of brand-new things -- it's about reinvention, too. On Diamonds on the Inside, Harper does better than that: He blows up like an inheritor and improves upon his influences with a few jewels of unique and exquisitely tender rock & roll." ==== As for the following bleats of complaint. Take the words I used at face value and I think they still have merit. How can those words not? You may argue with the context and in that regard I just responded to Christine's rather perturbed post against Ben Harper and more of his "preachy" music, "positive message songs" and how the sentiment made her grumpy, saying, it seemed that only in church (hers?) should such efforts of wordplay be offered. I had also just finished posting the lengthy comments on the main message board as at that time the board was in such discussion prior to the start of the war. In the context of the message of this song, and the negative, if not jaded, reaction to "My Own Two Hands", I imported my comments. Sorry if they offended. I still believe Christine has just not been exposed to the examples of Harper's music which she would find enjoyable; he has such a diverse body of work. I would be amazed, in fact, if she did not appreciate "Blessed To Be A Witness" from the new album. If she can dig Ladysmith Black Mombazzo, Christine would likely enjoy "Picture Of Jesus", also from the new cd. Finally, according to "Last DJ" a lot of what I posted is "hippie" talk (ironically funny that while using "hippie" as a pejorative, "Last DJ" gave 46! Tom Petty songs a 10, failing to connect that TP has often been quite in line with such sentiment). I can see why the "hippie" movement was so popular. The words and sentiment seem quite aligned (much, in fact, appropriated from) spiritual pleas common from a broad array of spiritual sources.
Posted 21 years ago by mperry    [ Reply ]
Jeez, How high were you when you wrote this?? Hippie rhetoric should not be shoved down our throats just because someone doesnt like a song!! Maybe joyful christine just thought the song sucked, by the rating, agreeing with a lot of us!
Originally Posted by mperry: ___________________________________________________________ Wow. I was just thinking how nice it is that Ben has not lost his "heart" and is still singing what he believes. I like what he has to say and glad to hear such a message. I am sorry you don't sound very happy JoyfulChristine. Hopefully just a bad day. I hope you can reconsider Ben Harper. See him in concert. Rent "Pleasure+Pain", the new Ben Harper dvd. As far as I am concerned, he is the real deal. I think his intentions are pure. FWIW, I just posted this a few moments ago on the comments board and - as the comments included the term "joyful" - thought I would repost here.
Posted 21 years ago by Last_DJ    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by mperry: Wow. I was just thinking how nice it is that Ben has not lost his "heart" and is still singing what he believes. I like what he has to say and glad to hear such a message. I am sorry you don't sound very happy JoyfulChristine. Hopefully just a bad day. I hope you can reconsider Ben Harper. See him in concert. Rent "Pleasure+Pain", the new Ben Harper dvd. As far as I am concerned, he is the real deal. I think his intentions are pure. FWIW, I just posted this a few moments ago on the comments board and - as the comments included the term "joyful" - thought I would repost here. All the best. When we find peace within ourselves, or deeply seek it, that effects change. BE the change you want to see. Peace and change - everything - starts ONE person at a time. You, me, us. So take comfort that just by effecting change in yourself - don't give up! - you are making a difference. Just do what YOU can in yourself and your world - be mindful - and the ripples of your action will vibrate and effect change. I am trying to learn to think of first seeking to connect. Be empathetic. Take care of hearts and souls and the minds will follow. Be careful not to fight as you attempt to persuade. Draw in others peacefully; align and lead by example. Certainly not easy, but go in that direction with sincerity and see what happens. If one would like to speak out forcefully, greater effectiveness will be marshalled if anger, and certainly hate, can be avoided. You get more strength and energy by operating from a place of love and concern. You can still be determined and tough, but more effectively and forcefully tough - fierce, if you begin from a place of love and concern. Greater - and more attracting - energy comes out of love and joy than out of hatred. Hatred is so off balance. You blow your adrenals in one minute, and then you're shaky and weak. But if you are joyful, you'll get an endless source of energy. an in yourself and your world - be mindful - and the ripples of your action will vibrate and effect change. I am trying to learn to think of first seeking to connect. Be empathetic. Take care of hearts and souls and the minds will follow. Be careful not to fight as you attempt to persuade. Draw in others peacefully; align and lead by example. Certainly not easy, but go in that direction with sincerity and see what happens. If one would like to speak out forcefully, greater effectiveness will be marshalled if anger, and certainly hate, can be avoided. You get more strength and energy by operating from a place of love and concern. You can still be determined and tough, but more effectively and forcefully tough - fierce, if you begin from a place of love and concern. Greater - and more attracting - energy comes out of love and joy than out of hatred. Hatred is so off balance. You blow your adrenals in one minute, and then you're shaky and weak. But if you are joyful, you'll get an endless source of energy.
i bet joyfulchristine didn't expect preaching from you!
Posted 21 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
try playing some songs from welome to the cruel world or fight for your mind ;)
Posted 21 years ago by jesst7    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by bnash: Swell song, it caught my ear immediately...it's empowering and true that we can change the world with nothing but own two hands and it was released at the right time. In this one, Ben sounds somewhere between Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye...nice!
I agree. Too bad some people are turned off by Ben's "preachiness". Guess that sort of issue would also rule out much of the work from Marley, Lennon, Dylan etc. etc. etc. ;)
Posted 21 years ago by mperry    [ Reply ]
Mr. Harper just doen\'t do anything for me. :(
Posted 21 years ago by Drjfhlhcc    [ Reply ]
good tune, but doesn\'t he have a few other albums?
Posted 21 years ago by basstooner    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by mperry: Wow. I was just thinking how nice it is that Ben has not lost his "heart" and is still singing what he believes. I like what he has to say and glad to hear such a message. I am sorry you don't sound very happy JoyfulChristine. Hopefully just a bad day. I hope you can reconsider Ben Harper. See him in concert. Rent "Pleasure+Pain", the new Ben Harper dvd. As far as I am concerned, he is the real deal. I think his intentions are pure. ... ... ... ... Greater - and more attracting - energy comes out of love and joy than out of hatred. Hatred is so off balance. You blow your adrenals in one minute, and then you're shaky and weak. But if you are joyful, you'll get an endless source of energy.
Good grief, just because I don't like one song or one artist's method of expressing himself, it doesn't make me a doleful person full of hate. My point was that I just don't like the fact that Harper always has some axe to grind. I don't deny his right to make a statement, his songs just happen to bug me. And I'm very happy, thank you.
Posted 21 years ago by Joyfulchristine    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Joyfulchristine: If he can make world peace with his hands, why hasn't he done it already? I've had enough of Ben Harper's "positive message" songs...I go to church when I want some preaching. Hearing it here makes me grumpy.
Wow. I was just thinking how nice it is that Ben has not lost his "heart" and is still singing what he believes. I like what he has to say and glad to hear such a message. I am sorry you don't sound very happy JoyfulChristine. Hopefully just a bad day. I hope you can reconsider Ben Harper. See him in concert. Rent "Pleasure+Pain", the new Ben Harper dvd. As far as I am concerned, he is the real deal. I think his intentions are pure. FWIW, I just posted this a few moments ago on the comments board and - as the comments included the term "joyful" - thought I would repost here. All the best. When we find peace within ourselves, or deeply seek it, that effects change. BE the change you want to see. Peace and change - everything - starts ONE person at a time. You, me, us. So take comfort that just by effecting change in yourself - don't give up! - you are making a difference. Just do what YOU can in yourself and your world - be mindful - and the ripples of your action will vibrate and effect change. I am trying to learn to think of first seeking to connect. Be empathetic. Take care of hearts and souls and the minds will follow. Be careful not to fight as you attempt to persuade. Draw in others peacefully; align and lead by example. Certainly not easy, but go in that direction with sincerity and see what happens. If one would like to speak out forcefully, greater effectiveness will be marshalled if anger, and certainly hate, can be avoided. You get more strength and energy by operating from a place of love and concern. You can still be determined and tough, but more effectively and forcefully tough - fierce, if you begin from a place of love and concern. Greater - and more attracting - energy comes out of love and joy than out of hatred. Hatred is so off balance. You blow your adrenals in one minute, and then you're shaky and weak. But if you are joyful, you'll get an endless source of energy. an in yourself and your world - be mindful - and the ripples of your action will vibrate and effect change. I am trying to learn to think of first seeking to connect. Be empathetic. Take care of hearts and souls and the minds will follow. Be careful not to fight as you attempt to persuade. Draw in others peacefully; align and lead by example. Certainly not easy, but go in that direction with sincerity and see what happens. If one would like to speak out forcefully, greater effectiveness will be marshalled if anger, and certainly hate, can be avoided. You get more strength and energy by operating from a place of love and concern. You can still be determined and tough, but more effectively and forcefully tough - fierce, if you begin from a place of love and concern. Greater - and more attracting - energy comes out of love and joy than out of hatred. Hatred is so off balance. You blow your adrenals in one minute, and then you're shaky and weak. But if you are joyful, you'll get an endless source of energy.
Posted 21 years ago by mperry    [ Reply ]
If he can make world peace with his hands, why hasn't he done it already? I've had enough of Ben Harper's "positive message" songs...I go to church when I want some preaching. Hearing it here makes me grumpy.
Posted 21 years ago by Joyfulchristine    [ Reply ]