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.
Sports and Wine
Ben Folds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Monday afternoon
Wednesday you'll be crawling
And you'll pray to be there soon
With sports and wine
Some men never grew up
Fortunate like you
What it takes to be a dude
That's Sports and Wine
The girls don't understand it
What you think is art
My oh my we're all impressed
How sensitive you are
Everybody's talkin' about you now
You know it's true
Always has been sports and wine for you
So you ask me how I think I know
Just what makes you tick
I know what I know why know
I know you make me sick
Sports and wine
Girls don't understand it
Anything you say
I don't understand it either
Guess that makes me gay
Everybody's talking 'bout you now
You know it's true...
In the song "Sports and Wine" by Ben Folds, the lyrics describe a man who is clinging onto his youth and immaturity. He spends his time indulging in sports and drinking wine, and avoids the responsibilities of adulthood. The singer notes that some men are fortunate enough to never grow up, while others struggle to embrace the maturity and responsibility that comes with age.
The second verse sheds light on the man's attitude towards women and art. He dismisses the idea of sensitivity and instead chooses to prioritize his own interests. The lyrics suggest that the man is often the subject of conversation, however, the singer's tone reveals a sense of frustration and disappointment with this.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea that the man's interests have always been sports and wine. The second verse reinforces this idea and implies that the man is not able to connect with others who do not share his interests.
Overall, the song portrays a man who is unwilling to grow up and take responsibility for his actions. He chooses to prioritize his interests above all else, and the singer appears frustrated by his unwillingness to change.
Line by Line Meaning
Destiny was calling
You feel like you are meant for greatness
Monday afternoon
It all started on an ordinary day
Wednesday you'll be crawling
Things will get tough pretty soon
And you'll pray to be there soon
You'll wish for success before it's too late
With sports and wine
Your coping mechanism during hard times is drinking and watching sports
Some men never grew up
You feel like you're one of the lucky few who never had to face the responsibilities of adulthood
Fortunate like you
You believe your life is easier than that of others
Some men never found out
You see being macho is still essential to manliness
What it takes to be a dude
You think being part of the stereotypical 'bro' culture is important to be a man
The girls don't understand it
You're convinced that women just don't get it
What you think is art
You believe what you enjoy is sophisticated
My oh my we're all impressed
You think everyone should admire your taste
How sensitive you are
You see yourself as sensitive and deep
Everybody's talkin' about you now
You think people are envious of you
You know it's true
You're convinced you're right
Always has been sports and wine for you
You've always found solace in sports and drinking
So you ask me how I think I know
You don't believe anyone could understand you
Just what makes you tick
You wonder what drives you
I know what I know why know
You're convinced nobody else could explain you
I know you make me sick
You're disgusted by yourself and your behavior
Anything you say
You're convinced people are ignoring you
Guess that makes me gay
You believe that anyone who doesn't fit your stereotype of a man must be gay
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jinny💚light
Destiny was calling
Monday afternoon
Wednesday you'll be crawling
And you'll pray to be there soon
With sports and wine
yeah ah ah sports and wine, no no
Some men never grew up
Fortunate like you
Some men never found out
What it takes to be a dude
That's Sports and Wine
yeah ah ah sports and wine, no no no
The girls don't understand it
What you think is art
My oh my we're all impressed
How sensitive you are
Everybody's talkin' about you now
You know it's true
'Cause always has been sports and wine for you
So you ask me how I think I know
Just what makes you tick
I know what I know y'know
I know you make me sick
Sports and wine
Sports and wine
Girls don't understand it
Anything you say
I don't understand it either
Guess that makes me gay
Everybody's talking 'bout you now
You know it's true..
Matt Horton
i really like the backing vocals in this song. it just fits so perfectly with the music without overpowering ben
Christian Earl Sabijon
Same! So fun to sing along to
Noah Jackson-King
2016 and this song is still amazing, it will never grow old
Johnny Rockets
+Grolsh Daggertooth Right!
Q * bert
Still great in 2017, too!
Charlie Jade
Imagine this song in Fortnite
Dan Cardosi
2018, still awesome.
Ezra C
@Dan Cardosi 2020 still good as ever.
taco neco
I still love this song in 2020!
Diana Kao
Still a wonderful song... <3