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.
Errant Dog
Ben Folds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had him tied to a tree, but he keeps getting out.
He's probably running loose with the bitches.
And when I catch him, I'll give him some stitches.
Oh I love him so much. Oh that stupid bitch is mine.
Errant dog! Errant dog!
They're talking down at the spa, now the word is out.
Gonna take him on Court TV
And show the world what he's done to me.
Oh I'll drag his ass back home, back where his ass belongs.
Errant dog! Errant dog!
He's my everything, he means the world to me.
He's my hopes and dreams, fun gibil? property.
Sometimes I wonder why I put up with his shit.
If I could, I would become a lesbian.
I know I said dead or alive, but really dead is fine.
Just bring him here.
Errant dog! Errant dog!
The song Errant Dog by Ben Folds tells the story of a man who has lost his beloved pet dog. The lyrics describe how the man had tried to keep the dog tied to a tree, but the dog kept getting loose and running wild with other dogs. The man is angry and frustrated with the dog's behavior, but still loves him deeply.
The second verse of the song reveals that the man is so obsessed with finding his dog that he is willing to take him to court and expose him to the world. He sees the dog as a possession and a reflection of himself, and he is angry that the dog has embarrassed him by running away. The man's love for the dog is complicated, as he is torn between his devotion and his anger.
The final verse of the song reveals the depth of the man's love and frustration with his dog. He sees the dog as his everything, his hopes and dreams, but also recognizes that the dog's behavior is difficult to tolerate. He even jokes about becoming a lesbian to escape the dog's behavior. In the end, the man just wants his dog back, even if it means bringing him back dead.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the complicated nature of love and possession. The man's love for the dog is both genuine and obsessive, and he is willing to go to great lengths to keep the dog by his side.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you seen that dog? I gotta get him back.
I am desperate to find my dog who keeps escaping from the tree where I tied him.
I had him tied to a tree, but he keeps getting out.
Although I had tied up my dog, he still keeps running away from me.
He's probably running loose with the bitches.
Most probably, my dog is wandering around with other female dogs.
And when I catch him, I'll give him some stitches.
I am so angry that when I find my dog, I'll punish him severely.
Oh I love him so much. Oh that stupid bitch is mine.
I love my dog so much, but I am calling him stupid because he keeps escaping.
Errant dog! Errant dog!
I am shouting at my dog for being wayward and disobedient.
They're talking down at the spa, now the word is out.
People are discussing and gossiping about my missing dog at the spa.
God damn I look like a jewel when he goes running around.
When my dog is around me, I feel complete and happy like a precious jewel.
Gonna take him on Court TV
I am planning to take my case to television court to make everyone aware of my dog's behavior.
And show the world what he's done to me.
I want to demonstrate to the world how my dog is causing me trouble and pain.
Oh I'll drag his ass back home, back where his ass belongs.
I will forcefully bring my dog back home where he deserves to be.
He's my everything, he means the world to me.
My dog is my everything, and I care about him more than anything else in the world.
He's my hopes and dreams, fun gibil? property.
My dog is my one hope and my biggest dream. He is my treasured property.
Sometimes I wonder why I put up with his shit.
I sometimes question why I tolerate my dog's bad behavior and mischief.
If I could, I would become a lesbian.
I am so disappointed with my dog that I am willing to change my sexual orientation if that could solve my problem.
I know I said dead or alive, but really dead is fine.
Even though I said I want my dog back dead or alive, I silently prefer him dead.
Just bring him here.
All I want is for someone to return my dog back to me.
Errant dog! Errant dog!
I continue to call out to my dog, hoping he will return to me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BEN FOLDS, BENJAMIN SCOTT FOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SilentSputnik
Ben Folds is awesome.
thiagosds22
This is bogus, I alone have watched it 1450 times!
felroms
Epic intro,hahahaha
Hayden Lueck
0:34
He throws his drum stick and suddenly it's back?
Christopher Soltis
good catch didnt see that the first time. .you can see it flew out of his hand, and he switches hands for the rhythm leans down to the left to get a second one.
Cyan
"I broke a nail" xD
batty
I'm not going to lie, I have genuine confusion over these numbers. Is... is this a glitch?
Agustin Jaluf
2 COMMENTARIES AND 1400 VIEWS? Fuck I'm so enraged people don't listen to him
Wincy Ong
Sound's like a John Lennon song!
neilobito
seç1