Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, We Can’t End This Way | Bangerz N Bopz 🔥

In the 53^rd edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 (2025), we highlight “We Can’t End This Way” performed by Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite.

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 53^rd edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 (2025), we break down “We Can’t End This Way” performed by Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite.

Five words: “We can’t end this way.” No, sir, we can’t! As an exemplification of an eclectic music enthusiast, I have a soft spot for blues and gospel music. Ben Harper (1969 – ) and renowned ‘harp’ player Charlie Musselwhite (1944 – ) made my musical heart melt with their retro-tinged, collaborative blues-gospel song, “We Can’t End This Way”. “We Can’t End This Way” is the third track from their 2013 collaborative, Grammy-winning blues album, Get Up!. 15 nominations in, Mr. Musselwhite won his first and only Grammy for this project. Harper, on the other hand, earned his third win. Both the song and the album were among my favorites from that year. Harper wrote and produced “We Can’t End This Way.”

“We Can’t End This Way” is like listening to a little piece of heaven.  It is a special song from the beginning. Embracing an old-school sound and vibe, it feels and sounds organic and rootsy to the nth degree. Music in the 2010s did not sound like this track, hence, a sizable part of its charm – the throwback, retro aesthetic. Ben Harper is locked in, giving his all with his gritty, soulful, and high-flying, soulful vocals. His authenticity and sincerity are impressive as he brings the tuneful melodies to life. His gospel experience shines through the socially conscious lyrics:

“There’s a man on the corner

Beggin’ for help

There’s a man that walks past him

And he’s drownin’ in wealth

Who doesn’t understand?

Who doesn’t understand?

How disappointment destroys the soul.”

During the chorus, excerpted earlier, Harper gets a mighty assist from the soulful, gospel-tinged background vocalists. His vocal ad-libs, riffs, and runs are nothing short of masterful. Adding to the excellence is Musselwhite’s elite harp playing, solidifying the blues. Charlie, like Ben, not only explores a different musical genre but also helps to take us back to a starkly different musical era.  The big takeaway is that “We Can’t End This Way” is a surefire gem.