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.
Protection
Ben Folds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So as not to be ripped off in ways to which they're not apprised
Lawyers write some goofy terms in letters to the future
So as not to get all screwed by methods here and after divised
So will I
And I guess I will protect myself from you
Sometimes I get so tickled I can't talk
I'll keep on reminding me
I'm always free to walk
You're not exactly what I'm looking for
You don't even know that when I've got it straight, now keep it in mind
No you're not what I was looking for
I just need a little more of what you've got a little bit
don't make me laugh
And I guess I will protect myself from you
Sometimes I get so tickled I just can't talk
but I will protect myself from you
I'll keep on reminding me
I'm always free to walk
always free
free
to
walk
(hey)
Whatever happens between you and me today probably will be OK
But won't bother me
anyway
And I guess I will protect myself from you
Sometimes I get so tickled I can't talk
but I will protect myself from you
And I'll keep on reminding me
I'm always free
to walk
free
F-R-E-E
You can't, you can't hurt me causes I don't care about you
I don't give a shit
I don't give a shit
about you
woah
The pussy - ass
sounds of white - people
playing jazz
The song "Protection" by Ben Folds is about guarding oneself from getting hurt, both physically and emotionally. The first verse depicts how tourists are careful when they travel to foreign places, as they are not familiar with the area and can easily be ripped off. Lawyers are also careful in their work, writing contracts and agreements in a way that will protect them in the future. The singer then says that he will also protect himself from the person he is singing about. He gets tickled by the person but still wants to protect himself from any harm.
In the second verse, the singer states that the person he is addressing is not what he is looking for. He tells the person that he needs a little more of what the person has, but also warns the person not to make him laugh. The chorus repeats, with the singer stating that he will protect himself from the person, and reminds himself that he is always free to walk away.
The final verse is more confrontational and dismissive. The singer states that whatever happens between him and the person will probably be okay but it won't bother him anyway. He then repeats that he will protect himself from the person, adding that he doesn't care about the person and can't be hurt by them. The song ends with a jab at the "pussy-ass sounds of white people playing jazz."
Line by Line Meaning
Tourists wear their wallets in high places when abroad
When traveling to foreign places, individuals are cautious and carry their wallets in secure locations to prevent theft or scamming.
So as not to be ripped off in ways to which they're not apprised
By carrying their wallets in high places, they prevent being taken advantage of in ways that they may not have been informed beforehand.
Lawyers write some goofy terms in letters to the future
Lawyers draft contracts with unusual clauses that prepare for unanticipated or unforeseeable events in the future.
So as not to get all screwed by methods here and after divised
These contracts protect them from potential harmful practices or methods that could arise, including those that may not have been thought of at the time the contract was created.
So will I
In the same way, the singer, Ben Folds, intends to safeguard himself.
And I guess I will protect myself from you
The artist acknowledges that he will place precautions around himself from the person he is addressing in the song.
Sometimes I get so tickled I can't talk
The artist may find the person amusing but will not allow their humor to lower their guard.
I'll keep on reminding me
The artist intends to remind himself of his own worth and values to prevent getting caught up in the actions of the person he is addressing.
I'm always free to walk
The artist plans to maintain his freedom and independence and not be trapped by the person he is addressing.
You're not exactly what I'm looking for
The artist doesn't see the other person as his ideal match.
You don't even know that when I've got it straight, now keep it in mind
The singer thinks that the other person isn't aware of the fact that the artist knows what he wants in a partner.
No you're not what I was looking for
The artist is clear and straightforward in retracting the other's advances.
I just need a little more of what you've got a little bit
The artist is still considering what the other person has to offer but wants to prevent getting too deeply involved with the person.
don't make me laugh
The artist might find certain statements the other person makes absurd or exaggerated.
Whatever happens between you and me today probably will be OK
The artist recognizes that whatever takes place between him and the other individual, will not bother him in the end.
But won't bother me anyway
The artist states explicitly that he won't get disturbed by the actions of the other individual.
You can't, you can't hurt me causes I don't care about you
The artist wants to convey that his emotions won't be influenced by the other person since he is decided not to care about them.
I don't give a shit
The artist uses strong language to emphasize that he is emotionally detached from the other individual.
about you
The artist wants to clarify he is done engaging with or thinking about this particular person.
woah
An expression of completing a thought or a feeling of exhilaration.
The pussy - ass
The artist deems the following phrase as weak and not worthy of respect.
sounds of white - people
The phrase following the previous line, which is not provided in the lyrics, seems to be associated with a negative connotation to white people's culture.
playing jazz
The artistic blend of improvisation, harmonic complexity, and individualism in jazz is the reason for the sarcasm expressed in the lines mentioned above.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind