Description
Ben Harper – Fight For Your Mind – Double Red And Green Vinyl Records
Released on August 1, 1995, Fight for Your Mind was Ben Harper’s second studio album and the record that solidified him as one of the most unique voices in folk, blues, and socially conscious music. Unlike his stripped-down debut, Welcome to the Cruel World (1994), this album expanded Harper’s sonic palette, blending acoustic folk, blues, reggae, funk, and rock into a deeply personal and politically aware body of work.
At its core, Fight for Your Mind is an album about struggle, resistance, and self-discovery, tackling themes of systemic injustice, spiritual searching, and personal redemption. Harper’s distinctive Weissenborn slide guitar playing adds a rich, warm texture throughout the album, complementing his soulful, often haunting vocals. The production is deliberately organic, allowing the instrumentation—whether it’s an aching acoustic melody or a deep reggae groove—to breathe and carry the weight of his messages.
The album moves fluidly between introspective ballads and fiery protest anthems. Songs like Oppression and Excuse Me Mr. are direct, no-nonsense critiques of political corruption and social inequality, while Ground on Down delivers some of Harper’s hardest-hitting electric guitar work, adding a raw urgency to his lyrics. On the other end of the spectrum, Another Lonely Day is a stark, heartbreaking meditation on solitude, proving Harper’s ability to convey deep emotion with just his voice and an acoustic guitar. Power of the Gospel is a stirring, almost hymn-like reflection on faith and perseverance, while Burn One Down takes a more laid-back, reggae-infused approach, advocating for personal freedom and cannabis legalization.
Though Fight for Your Mind wasn’t an immediate commercial breakthrough, it became a defining record for Harper’s career, earning him a devoted following and setting the stage for his future success. Over time, it has only grown in stature, praised for its genre-defying sound, timeless political relevance, and deeply heartfelt songwriting. Even decades later, the album remains an essential listen for those drawn to music that is both soul-stirring and thought-provoking, blending activism with artistry in a way that few artists can achieve.
Red and Green vinyl reissue in gatefold sleeve with reflective foil fire and embossed lettering.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Oppression
Ground On Down
Another Lonely Day
Please Me Like You Want To
Gold To Me
Burn One Down
Excuse Me Mr.
People Lead
Fight For Your Mind
Give A Man A Home
By My Side
Power Of The Gospel
God Fearing Man
One Road To Freedom
