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.
Battle of Who Could Care Less
Ben Folds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know it's not your thing to care
I know it's cool to be so bored
It sucks me in when you're aloof
It sucks me in, it sucks it works
I guess it's cool to be alone
Do you never rest
Everyday you wake up late
Sometimes I wish I was that way
And you think Rockford Files is cool
But there are some things that you would change
If it were up to you
So think about your masterpiece (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Watch the Rockford Files
And call to see if Paul can score some weed
Will you never rest
Fighting the Battle of Who Could Care Less
Unearned unhappiness
That's all right I guess
I've got this great idea
Why don't we pitch it to the Franklin fucking Mint?
Fine pewter portraits of
General Apathy and Major Boredom singing
"Whatever and ever amen"
Oh well, maybe not, I'll try again
Well, this should cheer you up for sure
See, I've got your old I.D.
And you're all dressed up like the Cure
You never rest
Fighting the Battle of Who Could Care Less
Unearned unhappiness
You're my hero, I confess
In "Battle of Who Could Care Less," Ben Folds sings about apathy and the cultural pressure to be disinterested and detached. The reference to Rockford Files, a detective series from the 1970s, suggests a preference for retro pop culture and a detachment from contemporary society. Folds repeats the phrase "Fighting the Battle of Who Could Care Less" in the chorus, pointing to the competition and posturing inherent in this kind of aloofness.
The singer is aware of the irony of being intrigued by someone who appears not to care, as it "sucks" them in despite their better judgment. The line "I guess it's cool to be alone" suggests this distance is self-imposed, and that perhaps the singer wishes for more emotional connection. The middle section of the song seems to offer a kind of solution, as Folds suggests the characters turn to making pewter figurines to fill their boredom. However, this solution is quickly dismissed, and the song ends with the recognition that the ideal of detached coolness remains elusive.
Overall, "Battle of Who Could Care Less" is a commentary on the anxieties of contemporary life in which an exaggerated sense of coolness is prized above more authentic expressions of emotion. The song suggests that this kind of aloofness is ultimately unsatisfying and may be an attempt to cover up deeper feelings of dissatisfaction.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you not hear me anymore?
Are you no longer listening to me?
I know it's not your thing to care
I understand that you don't like to care about things
I know it's cool to be so bored
I understand that being bored is considered cool
It sucks me in when you're aloof
I get pulled in when you act distant
It sucks me in, it sucks it works
I hate to admit it, but your behavior is effective
I guess it's cool to be alone
I suppose being alone is fashionable
Do you never rest
Do you ever take a break?
Fighting the Battle of Who Could Care Less
Competing to display the least amount of interest
Everyday you wake up late
You consistently sleep in each day
Sometimes I wish I was that way
Sometimes I envy your carefree attitude
And you think Rockford Files is cool
You believe that the Rockford Files is hip
But there are some things that you would change
However, there are aspects of the show that you dislike
If it were up to you
If you had your way
So think about your masterpiece (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
So contemplate your greatest achievement
Watch the Rockford Files
Watch an episode of the Rockford Files
And call to see if Paul can score some weed
Then, call Paul to see if he can obtain marijuana
Will you never rest
Will you ever stop?
Unearned unhappiness
Being sad without reason or justification
That's all right I guess
I suppose that's fine
I've got this great idea
I have an excellent proposal
Why don't we pitch it to the Franklin fucking Mint?
Let's give our suggestion to the Franklin Mint
Fine pewter portraits of
Detailed sculptures made of pewter
General Apathy and Major Boredom singing
Depictions of people who lack interest and those who are extremely bored singing together
"Whatever and ever amen"
Repeating the phrase "whatever and ever amen"
Oh well, maybe not, I'll try again
Actually, never mind, I'll attempt another idea later
Well, this should cheer you up for sure
However, I think this new development will definitely make you happier
See, I've got your old I.D.
Look, I found your previous identification card
And you're all dressed up like the Cure
In the photo, you're wearing clothing similar to the band the Cure
You're my hero, I confess
To be honest, I admire how you're able to disregard things
Contributed by Bailey H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Bildade
This Band got me through High School and definitely brings back incredible memories ❤️. One of the greatest most underrated bands of the 90s.
@corytubes6348
Totally agree!!!
@mungweasel4963
Lol this band is getting me through 2021!
@ourgiguerefamily6253
Yeah one of the best bands I'm 11 years old and play the drums
@ourgiguerefamily6253
One of the best!!
@sarahjoelle4286
@@ourgiguerefamily6253 I turned 40 today. 15 year old me played this CD non-stop in my Discman.
@SandiByrd
Honestly one of the most underrated bands ever.
@cmotdibbler8105
Yeah man. These guys improved my brain
@erickmorales8344
Well said Ben folds gets my day going in such a good day
@wonderwalledit
God yes