As of fall 2006, Ben Folds has released five solo LPs. His first album, Fear of Pop: Volume 1, an album of spoken word and instrumental compositions, was recorded and released while Ben Folds Five was still together. Since it was an uncharacteristic release, and officially released under the moniker of 'Fear of Pop', it is widely considered that his first "proper" solo album was Rockin' the Suburbs (2001), on which he played all the instruments by himself. A year later, in 2002, he released Ben Folds Live, a collection of live solo recordings. In late 2003, two solo EPs, Speed Graphic and Sunny 16, were released, with a third entitled Super D released in mid-2004. In 2005, Folds released a second studio album called Songs for Silverman. Most recently Folds has released the album "Supersunnyspeedgraphic, the lp" a compliation of his EPs, a The Bens track called "Bruised," "Still" from the motion picture of 2006 "Over the Hedge" for which Folds wrote all the songs, his cover of the Dr. Dre song "Bitches Ain't Shit", and, with the kind permission of his good friend Neil Hannon, a cover of The Divine Comedy song "Songs of Love". "Supersunnyspeedgraphic, the lp" otherwise includes remastered takes from the three internet EPs from 2002-2004. Ben claims that he wanted to have the CD in hard format so he could "put it past him."
Ben resides in Nashville. He often tours the United States, the United Kingdom, other countries in Europe, Japan, and Australia.
Folds' tours are famous for his solo act as "Ben Folds and a piano", often having the audience become involved by "playing" the accompanying instruments (such as the trumpet and saxophone harmonies in "Army") and singing choir-like backing vocals on "Not the Same". His concerts are charismatic, yet calm - an enjoyable experience for most. And although Folds is constantly putting out new songs, his concerts rarely omit classic fan favorites such as "Philosophy," "One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces," and "Army." Also, a seemingly fan favorite that started in Chicago, IL was "Rock this Bitch," a song where Folds has to come up an impromptu new tune with the words "Rock this Bitch" in it; though the song seems to be phasing out, it still makes appearances on tours, such as the November 2006 tour and the Spring US College tour of 2007 and 2008.
Folds also produced and arranged the William Shatner album, Has Been (2004); he previously worked with Shatner on the songs "In Love" and "Still in Love" for Fear of Pop.
Folds described his former band, Ben Folds Five, as "punk rock for sissies," and his oddball lyrics often contain nuances of depression, melancholy and self-conflict. Folds also provided a number of songs for film soundtracks. Some of these include "Lonely Christmas Eve" for the Jim Carrey film How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (2000), and a rendition of the Beatles' "Golden Slumbers" for the film I Am Sam (2001). He (as The Bens) has also done charity compilations, from singing "Wicked Little Town" (from film and stage show Hedwig and the Angry Inch) on the benefit album "Wig in a Box" (2003) to appearing on No Boundaries, a benefit album for Kosovo refugees, with the song "Leather Jacket." (written by Darren Jessee)
On a planned tour of Australia, Folds teamed up with solo artists Ben Kweller and Ben Lee to travel the country together as The Bens, at the suggestion of a fan on Ben Kweller's official website. The trio also went on to record a four-track EP together, entitled The Bens.
In summer of 2004, Folds co-headlined an American tour with fellow rockers Rufus Wainwright and Guster. His second solo studio album, entitled Songs for Silverman, was released in the U.S. on April 26, 2005, featuring Jared Reynolds on bass, and Lindsay Jamieson on the drums, thus returning to the trio format, which had been so successful earlier, in earnest. This album includes the track "Late," a tribute to the late singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, and also features backing vocals from "Weird Al" Yankovic on "Time." (Folds had played piano for Yankovic's song "Why Does This Always Happen to Me?" and "Weird Al" directed Folds' music video for Rockin' the Suburbs). In January of 2007 Lindsay Jamieson left the band and was replaced by Sam Smith, of The Comfies on drums.
Folds performed with Rufus Wainwright and Ben Lee in the summer of 2005 as part of the "Odd Men Out" tour. In addition, Folds has performed with many other famous musical names, including Weezer. Folds has also shown the complexity behind his authentic sound by performing with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, in March 2005, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, in November 2005. A DVD recording of Folds playing with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra was released in December, 2005.
Folds was the first artist to do a "Live at Myspace" concert, held on October 24, 2006 in his recording studio in Nashville, the show was an hour long and had requests from the internet submitted via Myspace's Messenger. It also entailed several stunts, including a suicide attempt, and a falling audience member during "Jesusland". The DVD of the broadcast (almost whole) was released in February of 2007.
Folds supports the independent music scene, creating his own record label (Attacked By Plastic) and doing promotional work for independent record stores across the country.
In 2008, September 16 marked the release of Amanda Palmer's solo album which was produced by Folds. Two days following that release, Ben Folds Five had a one-time reunion concert held in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the same place the band was formed. Weeks later, he released his third solo album entitled Way To Normal, released on September 30. Folds also recorded a fake album that was leaked intentionally during the summer to please fans and in an attempt to stop the real album from leaking. The fake tracks were recorded and mixed over a period of only several days. The leak contained 6 fake songs with names similar to the real songs or the album, and three songs from the actual release (except the song Cologne, which was an orchestral version of a song by the same name on the final album).
Since December 2008, Folds has been collaborating with English novelist Nick Hornby, writing the music while Hornby writes the lyrics. This album was originally planned to be recorded over a course of 3 days, the same amount of time in which the fake album was recorded, but Folds has since been recording the album in a more standard format, albeit attempting to retain the live recording format. He has also played several songs from the upcoming album at live shows since mid-2009, and the album is slated to be released on September 27th of 2010.
From December 14 through 21, 2009, Folds was featured as a judge on NBC's a cappella competition The Sing Off alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Shawn Stockman and offered insightful, constructive comments and criticisms to the contestants. On the final show, in a departure from his a cappella purism, showcased his talents and played the roaring, riffing piano background on "Why Can't We Be Friends?" sung by the two finalist groups, Tufts Beelzebubs from Tufts University near Boston and Nota, from San Juan, Puerto Rico. He again returned for the show's second season, and has been confirmed to return for the third season in September 2011 alongside Stockman and new judge Sara Bareilles.
Recently Ben Folds was assumed to be the anonymous pianist playing songs to random ChatRoulette users, named "Merton." Although Ben Folds has admitted to NOT being Merton, he paid tribute to the YouTube star at a concert in Charlotte in "Ode To Merton."
Ben Folds recently released his first album since So There, What Matters Most in June of 2023 after a 12 year hiatus.
All You Can Eat
Ben Folds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What do you think they weigh?
And out the window to the parking lot
At their SUV's taking all the space
They give no fuck
They talk as loud as they want
They give no fuck
Gonna get on the microphone down at Wal-Mart
Talk about some shit that's been on my mind
Talk of the state of this great nation of ours
People look to your left
Yeah, look to your right
They give no fuck
They buy as much as they want
They give no fuck
Just as long as there's enough for them
Son, look at the people lining up for plastic
Wouldn't you like to see them in the National Geographic?
Squatting bare assed in the dirt eating rice from a bowl
With a towel on their head, and maybe a bone in their nose
See that asshole with the peace sign on his license plate?
Giving me the finger and running me out of his lane
God made us number one because he loves us the best
Well he should go bless someone else for a while
Give us a rest
(They give no)
Yeah, and everyone can see
(They give no)
We've eaten all that we can eat
The song All U Can Eat by Ben Folds is a satirical critique of the consumerism and excesses of modern American culture. The opening lines of the song directly confront the issue of obesity in America, as the singer observes the diners in a restaurant and questions their weight. The lyrics then move on to criticize the self-centered attitudes of these people, who loudly demand as much food as they want without considering the impact on others. The song also takes aim at the rampant consumerism of American society, with lines such as "They buy as much as they want/Just as long as there's enough for them."
Later in the song, the lyrics become even more scathing as the singer takes aim at the hypocrisy of those who claim to be peace-loving and socially conscious. The line "See that asshole with the peace sign on his license plate/Giving me the finger and running me out of his lane" is a pointed attack on those who use symbols of peace and social justice to mask their own selfishness and aggression. The final lines of the song are a summation of the theme, as the singer declares that "We've eaten all that we can eat," suggesting that the excesses of American culture are unsustainable and will eventually lead to collapse.
Line by Line Meaning
Son, look at all the people in this restaurant
The singer wonders about the weight of the restaurant's patrons.
What do you think they weigh?
The singer questions the weight of the people.
And out the window to the parking lot
The singer shifts attention to the parking lot outside the restaurant.
At their SUV's taking all the space
The artist observes that the patrons are driving large SUVs that occupy much space.
They give no fuck
The patrons don't care about others.
They talk as loud as they want
The patrons talk loudly, without regard for others.
Just as long as there's enough for them
The patrons are selfish and only care about their satisfaction.
Gonna get on the microphone down at Wal-Mart
The artist intends to speak out about an issue in a public space.
Talk about some shit that's been on my mind
The artist wants to share their thoughts and opinions.
Talk of the state of this great nation of ours
The artist wants to discuss the current situation of their country.
People look to your left
The singer directs people to observe their surroundings.
Yeah, look to your right
The artist wants people to pay attention from all angles.
Just as long as there's enough for them
People are consumed with self-interest.
Son, look at the people lining up for plastic
The singer is observing people using plastic products.
Wouldn't you like to see them in the National Geographic?
The singer is sarcastically asking if people would like to see themselves in the same way they observe others in magazines.
Squatting bare assed in the dirt eating rice from a bowl
The artist imagines people in less privileged situations eating meager meals.
With a towel on their head, and maybe a bone in their nose
The artist is describing people from different cultures to show the stark contrast to western culture.
See that asshole with the peace sign on his license plate?
The singer is annoyed at someone who appears hypocritical with a peace sign on their car.
Giving me the finger and running me out of his lane
The person with the peace sign is shaking their fist and demonstrating aggressive behavior towards the singer.
God made us number one because he loves us the best
The artist points out a popular religious belief that ties superiority with religious blessing.
Well he should go bless someone else for a while
The artist understands that it is ridiculous and sarcastically suggests God should help someone else.
Give us a rest
The artist wants to take a break from constant consumption.
(They give no)
The patrons have no regard for others.
Yeah, and everyone can see
The artist thinks everyone can recognize the selfishness of others.
We've eaten all that we can eat
The singer concludes that people have consumed all that they could consume.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BEN FOLDS, BENJAMIN SCOTT FOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kellysan7155
Son, look at all the people in this restaurant
What do you think they weigh?
And out the window to the parking lot
At their SUV's taking all the space
They give no fuck
They talk as loud as they want
They give no fuck
Just as long as there's enough for them
Gonna get on the microphone down at Wal-Mart
Talk about some shit that's been on my mind
Talk of the state of this great nation of ours
People look to your left
Yeah, look to your right
They give no fuck
They buy as much as they want
They give no fuck
Just as long as there's enough for them
Son, look at the people lining up for plastic
Wouldn't you like to see them in the National Geographic?
Squatting bare assed in the dirt eating rice from a bowl
With a towel on their head, and maybe a bone in their nose
See that asshole with the peace sign on his license plate?
Giving me the finger and running me out of his lane
God made us number one because he loves us the best
Well he should go bless someone else for a while
Give us a rest
(They give no)
Yeah, and everyone can see
(They give no)
We've eaten all that we can eat
@kyle857
Dude nailed the mood of 2021 like 15 years early.
@EstherApswoude
One of my favoriete songs, both music and lyrics
@wilmamae3440
Cant get enough of the piano at the end đź’•
@dellisbeaver8666
My group of friends can air-piano the fuck out of this solo. Love this song
@NoBzLikeJoeBz
True story.
@Nekorz
Always relevant to a different time I wanna listen to it!
@christiangilberti9834
fucking ruthless
@MrFreakwent
Thanks,Fuzzy Tony .
@georgeglass7756
only 2 comments. wtf
@honeygoblin6416
Came here to vent after getting flipped off by a boomer with very little perception of other people. đź’•