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.
From Above
Ben Folds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He was with Martha, she was with Tom
Neither of them really knew what was going on
A strange feeling of never, heartbeats becoming synchronized
It's been that way forever but most of the time it's just near misses
Or kisses once at a bookstore, once at a party
She came in as he was leaving and years ago at the movies
He never once looked around
It's so easy from above
You can really see it all
People who belong together
Lost and sad and small
But there's nothing to be done for them
It doesn't work that way
Sure we all have soulmates but we walk past them every day
And it's not like they were ever
Actually unhappy in the lives they lived
He married Martha, she married Tom
Just this faint notion that something was wrong
An ache, an absence, a phantom limb
An itch that could never be scratched
It's so easy from above
You can really see it all
People who belong together
Lost and sad and small
But there's nothing to be done for them
It doesn't work that way
Sure we all have soulmates but we walk past them every day
Neither of them knew what was going on
A strange feeling of never,
Heartbeats becoming synchronized
Stay that way forever
Who knows whether that's how it should be
Maybe a ghost lived in that vacancy
Maybe that's how books get written
Maybe that's why songs get sung
Maybe we are the unlucky ones
It's so easy from above
You can really see it all
People who belong together
Lost and sad and small
But there's nothing to be done for them
It doesn't work that way
Sure we all have soulmates
But we walk past them every day
Maybe that's how books get written
Maybe that's why songs get sung
Maybe we are the unlucky ones
Maybe that's how books get written
Maybe that's why songs get sung
Maybe we are the unlucky ones
The lyrics of "From Above" by Ben Folds and Nick Hornby describe the bittersweet feeling of watching people who are supposed to be together, but are not. The song speaks of two people who experience heartbeats becoming synchronized when they are around each other, but who, despite that, end up marrying other people. The song speaks of missed chances, barely avoided kisses, and a strange emptiness that one feels even when one is surrounded by everything that should make one happy. It highlights the idea that there are people in the world who are meant to be together, but sometimes, for reasons that are beyond us, they never come together.
As the title suggests, the song is about looking "from above," or from a distance, at other people's lives. This outsider perspective grants a unique and objective look at the situation, and yet it is also powerless to change it. The song accepts that, while soulmates may exist, it doesn't mean that they will always find each other. The song suggests that sometimes, it's just sheer bad luck or timing that keeps people apart.
Some possible themes that emerge from the song include the idea of unrequited love, the significance of timing in romantic relationships, and the ephemeral nature of connection. The lyrics paint a poignant picture of missed opportunities and unrealized potential, illustrating how even the most compatible people can end up leading separate lives.
Line by Line Meaning
They even looked at each other once across the crowded bar
The two individuals made eye contact once while in a busy bar.
He was with Martha, she was with Tom
The man was accompanied by Martha, while the woman was with Tom.
Neither of them really knew what was going on
Both parties were uncertain about the situation at hand.
A strange feeling of never, heartbeats becoming synchronized
Despite their unfamiliarity, there was an unexplainable emotional connection between the two that seemed to bind their heart rhythms together.
It's been that way forever but most of the time it's just near misses
This grouping of individuals always seem to narrowly miss one another, except for occasional encounters.
Or kisses once at a bookstore, once at a party
The two individuals had shared two separate kisses, once at a bookstore and another time at a party.
She came in as he was leaving and years ago at the movies
Throughout the years, they had nearly crossed paths but just missed the opportunity to see each other.
She sat behind him, the 6:30 showing of "While You Were Sleeping"
At one point in time, the woman had sat behind the man during a movie showing of "While You Were Sleeping."
He never once looked around
The man was oblivious to the fact that the woman was behind him during the movie showing.
It's so easy from above
Observing from an outsider point of view makes it easier to recognize certain things.
You can really see it all
Seeing things from a different perspective can reveal more information.
People who belong together
Some individuals are meant to be together.
Lost and sad and small
Despite being meant for each other, the individuals may feel unfulfilled or incomplete.
But there's nothing to be done for them
No matter the situation, there may not be a solution or fix for some things.
It doesn't work that way
Things may not always turn out as planned or anticipated.
Sure we all have soulmates but we walk past them every day
Although some individuals may have soulmates, it is possible that they may never cross paths or recognize them as such.
And it's not like they were ever
The two individuals were never actually together.
Actually unhappy in the lives they lived
Despite not being together, both individuals were content with their respective lives.
He married Martha, she married Tom
Both individuals got married to different partners.
Just this faint notion that something was wrong
Although things were generally good, there was still an underlying feeling that something was off.
An ache, an absence, a phantom limb
The feeling of something being amiss can be compared to a phantom limb.
It's so easy from above
A bird's eye view of the situation makes it seem feasible to understand and grasp.
Neither of them knew what was going on
Despite the emotional connection, both parties were still confused.
A strange feeling of never,
This type of connection was a new and unfamiliar sensation.
Heartbeats becoming synchronized
The emotional connection was so deep that their hearts seemed to beat in unison.
Stay that way forever
The two individuals should remain the way they are indefinitely, as their connection is too strong to break.
Who knows whether that's how it should be
It is impossible to determine whether the situation is right or wrong.
Maybe a ghost lived in that vacancy
Perhaps a ghost or entity exists in the space or emotion between the two individuals.
Maybe that's how books get written
Similar stories and tales are often seen in literature.
Maybe that's why songs get sung
Songs often have parallels to real-life experiences and emotions.
Maybe we are the unlucky ones
Not everyone has the opportunity to connect with their soulmate.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BEN FOLDS, BENJAMIN SCOTT FOLDS, NICHOLAS PETER JOHN HORNBY, NICK HORNBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marcosmorais
Fantastic, just amazing. Ben Folds and Nick Hornby need to make another album together. The lyrics are so relatable and truthful and I can't even start talking about the amazing composition.
@johntirva8079
Marcos Morais Agreed
@PEneoark
Just the subtle truth behind this song hurts.
@trashleigh87
33 years old and I'm still looking.
@pinky12351
I always hear this song at my work and it really messes me up. Even if you don't believe in soul mates it's true that you could be passing people who you could have a real connection with.
@Mrhatmandu
One of the few artists of the 21st century that still appreciates of a pure pop/rock song. One who still knows the value of melody and lyrics.
@Puzzular
Ben Folds is the reason I'd rather be blind than deaf. His partnership with Nick Hornby sure turned out well. Lonely Avenue's one hell of an album.
@TNLMProductions
O.k. I had never heard a Ben Folds song before...but I can say with full certainty that I am now a Ben Folds fan. I've never fallen in love with a song like I just did.
@stephanieclarke8365
Love the juxtaposition of the jolly beat with the sad undertones of the lyrics...
"Just this vague notion that something was wrong
An ache, an absence, a phantom limb
An itch that could never be scratched."
@bronk2222
Congrats on using "juxtaposition" in a sentence.