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.
Rockin
Ben Folds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Being male, middle class and white
It's a bitch, if you don't believe
Listen up to my new cd
Sham on
I got shit running through my brain
So intense that I can't explain
Shake your booty while the band complains
I'm rocking the suburbs
Just like michael jackson did
I'm rocking the suburbs
Except that he was talented
I'm rocking the suburbs
I take the checks and face the facts
That some producer with computers
Fixes all my shitty tracks
I'm pissed off but I'm too polite
When people break in the mcdonalds line
Mom and dad you made me so uptight
I'm gonna cuss on the mic tonight
I don't know how much I can take
Girl give me something I can break
I'm rocking the suburbs
Just like quiet riot did
I'm rocking the suburbs
Except that they were talented
I'm rocking the suburbs
I take the checks and face the facts
That some producer with computers
Fixes all my shitty tracks
In a haze these days
I pull up to the stoplight
I can feel that something's not right
I can feel that someone's blasting me
With hate and bass
Sending dirty vibes my way
Cause my great great great great grandad
Made someone's great great great great grandaddy slaves
It wasn't my idea
It wasn't my idea
It never was my idea
I just drove to the store
For some preparation h
Y'all don't know what it's like
Being male, middle class and white
It gets me real pissed off and it makes me want to say
Fuck
Just like jon bon jovi did
I'm rocking the suburbs
Except that he was talented
I'm rocking the suburbs
I take the checks and face the facts
That some producer with computers
Fixes all my shitty tracks these days
I'm rocking the suburbs
You'd better look out because I'm gonna say fuck
The song "Rockin the Suburbs" by Ben Folds is a satirical take on middle-class suburban life from the perspective of a white male. The lyrics "Let me tell ya'll what it's like, Being male, middle class and white, It's a bitch if you don't believe" set the tone for the song. The singer goes on to describe his struggles with intense thoughts and emotions that he cannot explain, and his frustration with societal norms that limit his ability to express himself.
The chorus of the song, "I'm rocking the suburbs, Just like Michael Jackson did," is an ironic statement meant to highlight the singer's lack of real talent compared to successful musicians like Michael Jackson. He takes a humorous approach to his own mediocre abilities, saying that he takes checks and faces the fact that some producer with computers fixes all his "shitty tracks."
The final verse takes a dark turn, as the singer expresses feeling under attack by people who hold him responsible for the actions of his ancestors. The line "It wasn't my idea" is a reference to the idea of white privilege and the responsibility that comes with being a member of a dominant group. The song ends with an angry exclamation of "Fuck" that serves as a release for all of the singer's pent-up frustration.
Overall, "Rockin the Suburbs" is a clever critique of middle-class white suburban culture that uses humor and irony to make its point.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me tell ya'll what it's like
I'm about to describe what it's like
Being male, middle class and white
Living as a white, middle-class man
It's a bitch, if you don't believe
It's difficult, if you don't agree
Listen up to my new cd
Take a listen to my new album
Sham on
I feel ashamed
I got shit running through my brain
I have thoughts swirling in my mind
So intense that I can't explain
They're so significant that I can't articulate
All alone in my white boy pain
I'm isolated in my suffering as a white male
Shake your booty while the band complains
Dance, even if the band doesn't like it
I'm rocking the suburbs
I'm making music that suits the suburban lifestyle
Just like michael jackson did
Similar to how Michael Jackson did
Except that he was talented
But he had more musical ability than me
I take the checks and face the facts
I accept the money and the reality
That some producer with computers
A producer with technology
Fixes all my shitty tracks
Improves my subpar song recordings
I'm pissed off but I'm too polite
I'm angry, but I restrain myself
When people break in the mcdonalds line
When people cut in front of me at McDonald's
Mom and dad you made me so uptight
My parents caused my uptightness
I'm gonna cuss on the mic tonight
I'm going to curse in my music performance tonight
I don't know how much I can take
I don't know how much more I can handle
Girl give me something I can break
Girl, give me a way to release my frustration
Just like quiet riot did
Similar to how Quiet Riot did
Except that they were talented
But they had more musical talent
In a haze these days
I'm feeling a bit lost lately
I pull up to the stoplight
I stop at a traffic light
I can feel that something's not right
I sense that something is off
I can feel that someone's blasting me
I feel like someone is attacking me
With hate and bass
With both malicious feelings and loud music
Sending dirty vibes my way
Sending negative emotions towards me
Cause my great great great great grandad
Because my ancestor several generations ago
Made someone's great great great great grandaddy slaves
Owned the ancestor of someone in the past
It wasn't my idea
I didn't have anything to do with it
I just drove to the store
I just went to the store
For some preparation h
To buy a cream for hemorrhoids
Y'all don't know what it's like
You all don't understand what it's like
It gets me real pissed off and it makes me want to say
It makes me very angry, and I want to swear
Fuck
Exclamation of anger or frustration
You'd better look out because I'm gonna say fuck
You should be aware, because I might curse again
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BEN FOLDS, BENJAMIN SCOTT FOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@etudes3209
Let me tell y'all what it's like
Being male, middle-class, and white
It's a bitch, if you don't believe
Listen up to my new CD
(Sha-mon)
I got shit runnin' throught my brain
It's so intense that I can't explain
All alone in my white-boy pain
Shake your booty while the band complains
I'm rockin' the suburbs
Just like Michael Jackson did
I'm rockin' the suburbs
Except that he was talented
I'm rockin' the suburbs
I take the cheques and face the facts
That some producer with computers fixes all my shitty tracks
I'm pissed off, but I'm too polite
When people break in the McDonald's line
Mom and Dad you made me so uptight
I'm gonna cuss on the mic tonight
I don't know how much I can take
Girl, give me something I can break
I'm rockin' the suburbs
Just like Quiet Riot did
I'm rockin' the suburbs
Except that they were talented
I'm rockin' the suburbs
I take the cheques and face the facts
That some producer with computers fixes all my shitty tracks
In a haze these days
I pull up to the stop light
I can feel that something's not right
I can feel that someone's blasting me with hate
And bass
Sendin' dirty vibes my way
Cause my great great great great Grandad
Made someone's great great great great Grandaddies slaves
It wasn't my idea
It wasn't my idea
Never was my idea
I just drove to the store
For some Preparation-H
Y'all don't know what it's like
Being male, middle-class and white
Y'all don't know what it's like
Being male, middle-class and white
Y'all don't know what it's like
Being male, middle-class and white
Y'all don't know what it's like
Being male, middle class and white
It gets me real pissed off, it makes me wanna say
It gets me real pissed off, and it makes me wanna say
It gets me real pissed off, and it makes me wanna say
FUCK!
Just like Jon Bon Jovi did
I'm rockin' the suburbs
Except that he was talented
I'm rockin' the suburbs
I take the cheques and face the facts
That some producer with computers fixes all my shitty tracks
These days
Yeah yeah
I'm rockin' the suburbs
Yeah yeah
I'm rockin' the suburbs
Yeah yeah
You'd better look out, because I'm gonna say 'Fuck'
You'd better look out, because I'm gonna say 'Fuck'
You'd better look out, because I'm gonna say 'Fuck'
You'd better look out, because I'm gonna say 'Fuck'
@OK-lm1hj
Directed by Ben Folds
Produced by Ben Folds
Starring Ben Folds
Music by Ben Folds
Written by Ben Folds
Ben Folds............Ben Folds
Plumber guy............Ben Folds
Gangster guy............Ben Folds
Chef...........Ben Folds
@DrBeauHightower
Ben folds is a legend
@iim4xii129
So the complete opposite of you
@nicolasc4597
@iim4xii129 why you being rude
@SaffireRoseFletcher
Amen x
@Name-gz5so
A song this honest and real just doesn't have the same impact with censorship. It's ironic how they censor him saying "some producer with computers fixes all my shitty tracks."
@kevinswift8654
Came here for this comment. Surprised it was not higher up. Very ironic.
@thesuperherosoul
@Kevin Swift i think thats part of the irony they dont censor bitch in the beginning but when he talks about someone mixing his music, overproducing it, and making it appealing from a greatest common denominator pov the word shitty is censored. could also be a statement about the misogyny hes afforded as a "rockstar" that shitty is a bad word but not bitch.
@oyster4817
@Thomas Schriml Yeah 100%
@cochemoche
Especially when "Bitch" (0:26) gets through censors all the time, and I'd argue that it's a relatively worse swear word
@oyster4817
@Coché Moché I think that's part of the irony of it though, he's allowed to say a derogatory term like 'bitch' but 'shitty' is censored, it seems to have been done on purpose like the previous comment said