Ben Folds
HIDDEN ERROR: Usage of "Spouse" is not recognized
Benjamin Scott "Ben" Folds (born September 12, 1966) is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. From 1995 to 2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. After the group temporarily disbanded, Folds performed as a solo artist and has toured all over the world. The group reunited in 2011. He has also collaborated with musicians such as William Shatner, Regina Spektor and "Weird Al" Yankovic and undertaken experimental songwriting projects with authors such as Nick Hornby and Neil Gaiman. In addition to contributing music to the soundtracks of the animated films Over the Hedge, and Hoodwinked!, Folds produced Amanda Palmer's first solo album and was a judge on the NBC a cappella singing contest The Sing-Off from 2009 to 2013.
Early life and career
Folds was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He became interested in piano at age nine. His father, a carpenter, brought one home through a barter trade with a customer who was unable to pay. During this time, Folds listened to songs by Elton John and Billy Joel on AM radio, and learned them by ear. During his years at Richard J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, Folds played in several bands as the pianist, bassist, or drummer.
Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five are an American alternative rock trio formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The group's members are Ben Folds (lead vocals, piano, keyboards, melodica, principal songwriting), Robert Sledge (bass, contrabass, synthesizer, backing vocals), and Darren Jessee (drums, percussion, backing vocals, songwriter). The group achieved mainstream success in the alternative, indie and pop music scenes. Their single "Brick" from the 1997 album Whatever and Ever Amen gained airplay on many mainstream radio stations. During their seven years together, the band released three proper studio records, one retrospective album of B-sides and outtakes, and eight singles. They also contributed to a number of soundtracks and compilations. Ben Folds Five disbanded in October 2000. They reunited in 2011 and released their fourth album The Sound of the Life of the Mind in 2012.
History
1993 - 2000
Ben Folds Five was formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill by Ben Folds. They were, in fact, a trio in spite of their name, and the primary motivation behind the name, apart from the band's well-known use of humor, was simple preference, according to Ben: "I think it sounds better than Ben Folds Three." Folds once described their music as "punk rock for sissies," a reaction to the angst prevalent in '90s rock.
Ben Folds Five (album)
Ben Folds Five is the self-titled debut album by Ben Folds Five, released in 1995. A non-traditional rock album, it featured an innovative indie-pop sound, and excluded lead guitars completely. The album was released on the small independent label Passenger Records, owned by Caroline Records, a subsidiary of Virgin/EMI. Ben Folds Five received positive reviews, and spawned five singles. The record failed to chart, but sparked an intense bidding war eventually won by Sony Music. Several live versions of songs originally released on Ben Folds Five reappeared later as b-sides or on compilations.
Reception
The album received positive reviews from NME, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and Entertainment Weekly. Allmusic gave Ben Folds Five 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "a potent, and extremely fun collection of postmodern rock ditties that comes off as a pleasantly workable combination of Tin Pan Alley showmanship, Todd Rundgren-style power pop, and myriad alt-rock sensibilities."
Podcasts:
Ben Folds
ALBUMS
- Fifty-Five Vault released: 2011
- The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective released: 2011
- Lonely Avenue released: 2010
- Ben Folds File: Complete Best of Ben Folds Five & Ben Folds released: 2009
- Triple J Live at the Wireless released: 2009
- The Sound of Last Night... This Morning (live) released: 2009
- Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella! released: 2009
- Way to Normal released: 2009
- I Made It Up on Stage released: 2008
- Supersunnyspeedgraphic, the LP released: 2006
- Songs for Silverman released: 2005
- Live in Perth released: 2005
- Songs for Goldfish released: 2005
- 2005-02-10: Norman, OK, USA released: 2005
- 2004-04-08: Tulsa, OK, USA released: 2004
- 2004-07-10: Wallingford, CT, USA released: 2004
- 2004-06-29: Vienna, VA, USA released: 2004
- 2004-04-05: Foellinger Auditorium, Urbana, IL, USA released: 2004
- 2003-07-29: Concord, CA, USA released: 2003
- 2003-01-11: Providence, RI, USA released: 2003
- 2002-10-20: John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA released: 2002
- 2002-10-16: Warner Theatre, Washington, DC, USA released: 2002
- 2002-10-17: Geneseo, NY, USA released: 2002
- Ben Folds Live released: 2002
- 2001-07-20: Gothic Theatre, Denver, CO, USA released: 2001
- Rockin' the Suburbs released: 2001
- 2007-12-19: Exit/In, Nashville, TN, USA released:
- 2007-06-19: Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Bonner Springs, KS, USA released:
- 2004-07-10: Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, CT, USA released:
- 2006-06-16: Which Stage, Bonnaroo, Manchester, TN, USA released:
- 2005-11-02: Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA, USA released:
- 2005-08-24: Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA, USA released:
- 2001-12-09: Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY, USA released:
- 2001-09-22: La Zona Rosa, Austin, TX, USA released:
Fifty-Five Vault
Released 2011- Adelaide (live, 2011: Adelaide, Australia)
- Air
- All Shook Up
- Ascent of Stan (live, 2002: New York, NY, USA)
- Birds
- Bitch Went Nutz (live, 2008: Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
- Bizarre Christmas Incident
- Brick (live acoustic, 2003)
- Champagne Supernova (live, 1996)
- Cologne (piano orchestra version 2008)
- Dr. Yang (live, 2008: Belgium)
- Evaporated (demo 1992)
- Family of Me
- For All the Pretty People
- Free Coffee (live, 2008: Germany)
- Girl
- Golden Slumbers (live, 2001: New York, NY, USA)
- Hava Nagila (live, 1997)
- Heist
- Hiro's Song (shaker version) (live, 2011: Melbourne, Australia)
- Honey Don't (alternate take 2000)
- Hospital Song (live, 1999: Philadelphia, PA, USA)
- House (original mix 2011)
- I Knew That 'cha Could (demo 2000)
- In Between Days (live, 2005)
The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective
Released 2011- Unrelated
- Best Imitation of Myself
- Rocky
- Boxing
- Julianne
- Evaporated
- Alice Childress
- Barrytown
- Amelia Bright
- Tell Me What I Did
- Rock Star
- Losing Lisa
- Break Up at Food Court (demo - 2000)
- Hiro's Song
- Wandering
- The Secret Life of Morgan Davis
- Such Great Heights
- Bitches Ain't Shit
- Time
- Sleazy
- Because the Origami
- Stumblin' Home Winter Blues
The Sound of Last Night... This Morning (live)
Released 2009- Free Coffee (live at Providence, RI 9/25/08)
- Errant Dog (live at Boston, MA 9/26/08)
- Lovesick Diagnostician (live at Terminal 5, NY, NY 9/30/08)
- Dr. Yang (live at Terminal 5, NY, NY 10/1/08)
- Kylie From Connecticut (live at Detroit, MI 10/9/08)
- Free Coffee Town (live From Detroit, MI 10/9/08)
- Lovesick Diagnostician (live from Detroit, MI 10/9/08)
- Bitch Went Nutz (live from Detroit, MI 10/9/08)
- Frowne Song (Feeble Anthem)
- Cologne (live at St. Paul, MN 10/17/08)
- Way to Normal (live from Dallas, TX 10/23/08)
- Brainwascht (live from Dallas, TX 10/23/08)
- Effington (live from Dallas, TX 10/23/08)
- Annie Waits (live from Dallas, TX 10/23/08)
- You to Thank (live from Dallas, TX 10/23/08)
- One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces (live from the Warehouse, Houston, TX)
2005-02-10: Norman, OK, USA
Released 2005- Intro
- In Between Days
- Gone
- Hiro's Song
- Losing Lisa
- Landed
- You to Thank
- Anne Waits
- All U Can Eat
- Still Fighting It
- There's Always Someone Cooler Than You
- Where's Summer B?
- Bitches Ain't Shit
- Carrying Cathy
- Zak and Sara
- Brick
- Emaline
- Army
- Philosophy
- Short Bus Benny
- One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces
- "Stairway to Heaven"
- Not the Same
- Missing the War
- Rockin' the Suburbs
2004-04-05: Foellinger Auditorium, Urbana, IL, USA
Released 2004- There's Always Someone Cooler Than You
- Zak and Sara
- Silver Street
- One Down
- All U Can Eat
- The Last Polka / Hardee's
- Rent-A-Cop
- Late
- Best Imitation of Myself
- Rock This Bitch
- Careless Whisper
- Philosophy
- I Used to Be a Sentimental Guy / Learn to Live With What You Are
- Kate
- The Luckiest
- Army
- One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces
- Heavy Metal: The Ultimate Sacrifice
- Champagne Supernova
- Rockin' the Suburbs
- Song for the Dumped
- Hava Nagila / Eddie Walker
- Not the Same
2002-10-20: John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
Released 2002- (Intro)
- One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces
- Zak and Sara
- Annie Waits
- Silver Street
- Careless Whisper
- Philosophy / Sweet Home Johns Hopkins
- Kate
- Lullaby
- Don't Change Your Plans
- Where's Summer B?
- Fred Jones, Part 2
- Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head
- Army
- Selfless, Cold, and Composed
- Rockin' the Suburbs
- (Intro)
- Steven's Last Night in Town
- Underground
- Not the Same
- The Luckiest
- Emaline
- Jane
- Short Bus Benny
- Song for the Dumped (Minor)
2002-10-16: Warner Theatre, Washington, DC, USA
Released 2002- Boxing
- Zak and Sara
- Careless Whisper
- Annie Waits
- Silver Street
- Mess
- Philosophy
- Battle of Who Could Care Less
- Jackson Cannery
- Narcolepsy
- Mr. Rogers Theme
- Uncle Walter / Pirate Song
- Rock This Bitch
- Army
- Fred Jones, Part 2
- Last Polka
- Kate
- The Ascent of Stan
- Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head
- Evaporated
- Not the Same
- Short Bus Benny / One Angry Dwarf
- Song for the Dumped
2002-10-17: Geneseo, NY, USA
Released 2002- Intro
- Short Bus Benny/One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces
- Zak and Sara
- Careless Whisper
- Annie Waits
- Silver Street
- Mess
- Philosophy
- Kate
- Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head
- Narcolepsy
- Jackson Cannery
- Rockin' the Suburbs
- Interlude
- Army
- Boxing
- Race for the Prize
- Fair
- Not the Same
- Evaporated
- Underground
- Song for the Dumped
2004-07-10: Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, CT, USA
- [introduction]
- Ascent of Stan
- Gone
- All U Can Eat
- Late
- Gracie
- Careless Whisper (feat. Rufus Wainwright)
- Zak and Sara
- Narcolepsy
- Carrying Cathy
- Army
- Kate
- Rock This Bitch
- Steven's Last Night in Town (feat. Brian Rosenworcel)
- Kiss the Sky (feat. Guster)
- Fair (feat. Guster)
- [encore break] / Short Bus Benny
- One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces
2001-12-09: Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY, USA
- Boxing
- Hava Nagila
- Bizarre Christmas Incident
- Best Imitation of Myself
- One Down
- Secret Life of Morgan Davis
- Alice Childress
- Mess
- Fred Jones, Part 2
- Philosophy
- Eddie Walker
- Golden Slumbers
- Selfless, Cold and Composed
- Ascent of Stan
- Zak and Sara
- Emaline
- Brick
- One Angry Dwarf
- The Luckiest
- Army
- Kate
- Don't Change Your Plans
- Evaporated
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
-
by Ben Folds Five
For Those Of Y'all Who Wear Fanny Packs
by: Ben Folds FiveOh goddamn, I saw a goddamn
Fuckin' goddamn, goddamn, woah
Oh goddamn, shitchya it's cool
Play it on the radio
Come here one time, wassup y'all
I got this funky groove goin' on
I gotta give a shout out to my homeboy in L.A.
Wassup boy? Wassup y'all, come on
Yo, this goes out to my homeboy Trey
Going out in Chapel Hill
Yeah, shouts out to A.K.A. known as Roadie Killer
New York City
Yo, shouts out to my main manager man
Al Wolmark known as A.K.A. you're a bad motherfucker
C.E.C. bring in the bass, y'all
Yeah and I thought that's how you felt about the motherfucker
Yeah I thought that's how you felt
Yeah Sledge, bring in the bass
For those of y'all who wear fannie packs, come on
For those of y'all that wear fannie packs, come on
For those of y'all that wear fannie packs and pony tails, come on
For those of y'all that wear fannie packs
And got the pony tails come fucking on
Yeah, my boy, Sledge on the bass in your face
My boy, Ben on the piano coming in, let him in, let him in
Yeah, let my boy, Ben in, alright, yeah
Hey D? Hey D? Yeah, wassup?
You gonna let me in D? Wassup?
You gonna me in? Yo let that piano solo in
Let me in, let me in, Goddamn, yeah
You and your mother have seen things happen
I don't mind singing and I don't mind rappin'
I can find at least a hundred ways to get my shit
I play the piano, goddamn that's some funky shit
Yeah, I said for those of y'all who wear fannie packs
This song's coming out, it's coming attchya
I wanna borrow an allen wrench
I wanna borrow some duct tape
I wanna borrow a mic cable bass in your face
Bass in your face, let's break it, break it, break it down
We're gonna break this shit down, gimme some bass
That's pretty good bring this shit in
Oh goddamn, shitchya it's cool
Play that cymbal, man
Play that tasty, tasty high hat work
Yo, I'm gonna bring that tasty high hat work bring it
I'm gonna bring that shit in, I wanna taste it, man right now
Yo, this sound goes out to my main man
At the point in Atlanta, wassup
Gimme my fuckin' monitor, man
Ernie, I'm sorry, I can't give you any more
Monitor than that
It won't go any higher than that
Because the transistors the resistors
They won't go any higher
Alright, y'all, take this motherfucker out with a piano solo
Goddamn, uh, uh goddamn
Alright, turn that shit out
I hope you taped that, that's our next single
Oh, they've left, they gave up
These guys are fucking idiots
Latest News for: ben folds five
Celebrity birthdays for the week of April 6-12
Ben Folds announces 2025 concerts in Ohio. Here's where he's playing. Full schedule
NYT Connections Today: Hints and answers for March 17, 2025
Vance booed at Kennedy Center after Trump board takeover
- 1