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.
Girl
Ben Folds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Girl, it's been a long time
Since we had it going on that way
Feelings getting stronger
Each and every day
Wake up, oh yeah
I can feel you but you're not there
Cause your dreaming of somebody else
Sexed up, our toes curl
Used to have it going on, girl
Washed our worries from this hard world
Now you're dreaming of somebody else
Girl, it's been a long time
Since we had it going on that way
Feelings getting stronger
Each and every day
Girl, it's been a long time
Since we had it going on that way
Feelings getting stronger
Each and every day
And if you call me back girl
(I'll be there, I'll be there)
Yeah, I will be your man
(I'll be there, I'll be there)
Yeah, you may lie your ass off
(You were there, you were there)
Girl
(You say the longer we go
The more your friends are freakin' out
Well, you ought to know that
I wouldn't stand between you
And my deafness screams sometimes
And my heart has gravity sickness
I just don't know
Is it me or is it you?
What are you trying to do?)
Girl, it's been a long time
Since we had it going on that way
Feelings getting stronger
Each and every day
Girl, it's been a long time
Since we had it going on that way
And it's getting stronger
Each and every day
The lyrics of Ben Folds’s ‘Girl’ depict a nostalgic and introspective persona addressing a long-gone lover. The person reminisces about their past romantic relationship where things were once beautiful and passionate and how it has been such a long time since they last had that beautiful connection. The person confesses that their affection for the ex-lover has never been stronger as each day passes, but the ex seems to have moved on looking for love with somebody else – an implication that is contrasted against the former lover’s lonely midnight musings where they can 'feel' their lover's presence, though they are not physically there.
The lyrics also emphasize the point that the singer is still in love with the girl and is willing to be there for her if she ever decides to come back. However, the notion that the girl has moved on to somebody else and is dreaming of another person seems to suggest a sense of disparity between the two lovers. One can interpret the song as a lament for a love that has become distant or a conversation with a ghost. Overall, Ben Folds’s ‘Girl’ is a beautiful and melancholic song that explores a love that has faded but remains a cherished memory for the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Acknowledging a situation or agreement
Girl, it's been a long time
It's been a while since we had a strong connection
Since we had it going on that way
Since we were doing well in our relationship
Feelings getting stronger
Emotional attachment growing
Each and every day
Consistently over time
Wake up, oh yeah
Realizing a problem
I can feel you but you're not there
Feeling a distance even when present
Holding on to thin air
Trying to keep something that isn't there
Cause your dreaming of somebody else
Thinking of another person instead of the current situation
Sexed up, our toes curl
Having a mutually satisfying physical relationship
Used to have it going on, girl
Previously had a strong relationship
Washed our worries from this hard world
Found comfort in each other
Now you're dreaming of somebody else
Thinking of another person instead of the current situation
And if you call me back girl
Offering to be there if needed
(I'll be there, I'll be there)
Affirming willingness to help
Yeah, I will be your man
Offering to support and care for her
(I'll be there, I'll be there)
Affirming willingness to help
Yeah, you may lie your ass off
Acknowledging possible dishonesty
(You were there, you were there)
Disagreeing with her lie
Girl
Addressing her
(You say the longer we go
Responding to her doubts
The more your friends are freakin' out
Acknowledging external pressure from her friends
Well, you ought to know that
Suggesting she should be aware of our strong connection
I wouldn't stand between you
Not wanting to interfere with her freedom
And my deafness screams sometimes
Not always listening or understanding each other
And my heart has gravity sickness
Feeling weighed down by emotional concerns
I just don't know
Uncertainty about the situation
Is it me or is it you?
Questioning who is responsible
What are you trying to do?
Asking for clarity about her intentions
And it's getting stronger
Our attraction and connection is growing
Each and every day
Consistently over time
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jessica Walker
I actually kinda like this. It strikes me that Ben Folds can't write a bad song even if he tries.
Alexis McGill
I love this haha(:
Justin Peters
He wrote it as a joke. He needed more songs for his record deal, so he wrote this and a few others.
Cotiara TV
🤘🌹🕊️
q0zi
What the hell is this and how did I not find it?
Andy Bird
reminds me of backstreet boys
Lucas MacKenzie
I don't know it sounds a bit more like In Sync
Lucas MacKenzie
NSYNC y u no use lowercase?
Lucas MacKenzie
NSYNC y u no use lowercase?
Lucas MacKenzie
NSYNC y u no use lowercase?