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.
Annie Waits
Ben Folds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Annie waits, Annie waits, Annie waits
For a call
From a friend
The same
It's the same
Was it always the same?
Annie waits for the last time
The clock never stops, never stops, never waits
She's growing old
It's getting late
And so he forgot, he forgot
Maybe not
Maybe he's been seriously hurt
Would that be worse?
Headlights crest the hill
Shadows pass her by and out of sight
(ooh ooh)
Annie sees her dreams:
Friday bingo, pigeons in the park
Annie waits for the last time
Just the same as the last time
Annie says "You see this is why I'd rather be alone."
And so
Annie waits, Annie waits, Annie waits
For a call
From a friend
The same
It's the same
Was it always the same?
Annie waits as the last
Headlights crest the hill
Who will be the one for evermore?
(ooh ooh)
Annie, I could be
If we're both still lonely when we're old
Annie waits for the last time
Just the same as the last time
Annie waits for the last time
Just the same as the last time
Annie waits
But not for me
The song "Annie Waits" by Ben Folds is about a woman named Annie who is waiting for a call from a friend. She's tired of waiting and has been waiting for such a long time, while the clock keeps ticking and time is passing by. Annie is growing old and it's getting late, but she still has hope that her friend will call her. She thinks maybe her friend has forgotten or maybe he's seriously hurt, and she wonders if that would be worse because at least she would know why he hasn't called.
Throughout the song, Annie sees her dreams of playing bingo on a Friday and watching pigeons in the park, but she's still waiting for that call. The headlights cresting the hill symbolize the passing of time and Annie wonders who will be the one for evermore. In the end, Annie resigns herself to the fact that maybe she's better off being alone and doesn't need anyone to make her happy.
The lyrics of "Annie Waits" are full of emotion and sadness, as it deals with the universal theme of waiting for someone or something. People can relate to the feeling of waiting for something or someone, and the song captures the frustration of waiting and not knowing whether or not that wait will lead to anything.
Line by Line Meaning
And so
An introduction to a story that follows.
Annie waits, Annie waits, Annie waits
Annie is impatiently waiting for something.
For a call
She is waiting for a phone call from someone.
From a friend
The person she is waiting for is a supposed friend.
The same
This waiting is a recurring event.
It's the same
The previous statement stands true for today, and every day before.
Was it always the same?
Annie thinks about the repetitiveness of this waiting and wonders if it has always been the same.
Annie waits for the last time
Annie is waiting for the very last time.
The clock never stops, never stops, never waits
Time is constantly moving and never takes a break.
She's growing old
Annie is aging.
It's getting late
Annie's time is running out.
And so he forgot, he forgot
The friend Annie was waiting for has forgotten about her, causing her to feel neglected.
Maybe not
Annie is doubtful of the previous statement.
Maybe he's been seriously hurt
Annie thinks up possible explanations for why her friend has not contacted her.
Would that be worse?
Annie is contemplating the possibility of her friend being hurt, which would be worse than just forgetting to call her.
Headlights crest the hill
Annie sees the headlights of a car from afar.
Shadows pass her by and out of sight
The shadows of the trees and the car pass by Annie, indicating movement.
(ooh ooh)
A musical interlude.
Annie sees her dreams:
Annie daydreams about what she wants in life.
Friday bingo, pigeons in the park
Annie's dreams are simple and not too ambitious.
Annie waits for the last time
Reiteration of a previous statement.
Just the same as the last time
The waiting process remains unchanged from the previous times.
Annie says "You see this is why I'd rather be alone."
Annie voices her preference for being alone rather than being let down by others.
Who will be the one for evermore?
Annie wonders who will be there for her always.
Annie, I could be
The singer is offering to be the one for Annie.
If we're both still lonely when we're old
The singer's offer is conditional, based on the premise that both Annie and the singer will be lonely later in life.
Annie waits
A reiteration of the main theme of the song.
But not for me
The artist acknowledges that Annie is not waiting for him, indicating that his offer was not accepted.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BEN FOLDS, BENJAMIN SCOTT FOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Candle Lady
Lyrics
And so
Annie waits, Annie waits, Annie waits
For a call
From a friend
The same
It's the same
Was it always the same?
Annie waits for the last time
The clock never stops, never stops, never waits
She's growing old
It's getting late
And so he forgot, he forgot
Maybe not
Maybe he's been seriously hurt
Would that be worse?
Headlights crest the hill
Shadows pass her by and out of sight
Annie sees her dreams:
Friday bingo, pigeons in the park
Annie waits for the last time
Just the same as the last time
Annie says "You see this is why I'd rather be alone."
And so
Annie waits, Annie waits, Annie waits
For a call
From a friend
The same
It's the same
Was it always the same?
Annie waits as the last...
Headlights crest the hill
Who will be the one for evermore?
(ooh ooh)
Annie, I could be
If we're both still lonely when we're old
Annie waits for the last time
Just the same as the last time
Annie waits for the last time
Just the same as the last time
Annie waits
But not for me
Maicey T.
We bought a used car a long time ago. There was a homemade mix CD stuck in the CD player. We couldn't get it out, but we could play it, and this was the first song on the disc. To this day, this song still makes me think of riding in that car.
StayWoke
Wow
Vinnie games
Was it a Toyota Carolla?
Patrick Park
@Vinnie games idk why but this tracks
Carissa Klarich
that is amazing
Bill Cayemberg
If you get the chance see him live......pretty incredible performer.
Melissa A
just saw him last nite in DM Iowa. i hate live music and it was fabulous. dude has mad skills
Rick
Saw him at the House of Blues in Cleveland, it was awesome.
Jay Gustin
Saw him at Red Rocks (Denver), he's great! Unfortunately had to also sit thru John Mayer the same night... 😣
Dylan Mason
@Jay Gustin don't talk about ma boi John Mayer like that! Nah but I also saw Ben a couple months ago in DC, great show, but he wasn't playing with the band :/