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.
The Luckiest
Ben Folds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns the stumbles,
And falls brought me here
And where was I before the day
That I first saw your lovely face,
Now I see it every day
And I know
That I am, I am, I am, the luckiest
What if I had been born fifty years before you
In a house on the street
Where you lived
Maybe I'd be outside as you passed on your bike. Would I know?
And in a wide sea of eyes
I see one pair that I recognize
And I know
That I am, I am, I am, the luckiest
I love you more then have
Ever found the way to say
To you
Next door there's an old man who lived to his nineties and one day
Passed away in his sleep,
And his wife, she stayed for a couple of days, and passed away
I'm sorry I know that's a strange way to tell you that I know we belong,
That I know
That I am, I am, I am, the luckiest
Ben Folds's song, The Luckiest, is a beautiful love song about how finding the love of his life has made him feel like the luckiest person in the world. The song starts off with Folds admitting that he isn't perfect and that he has made mistakes, but those mistakes have led him to where he is today, standing next to the person he loves. He then reflects on how, if he had been born in a different time or place, he might never have met the love of his life. But now, he sees her every day and he knows how lucky he is to have found her.
The song also touches on the theme of mortality, with Folds referencing an old couple who lived long, happy lives together and ultimately passed away. In a way, this couple serves as a reminder that life is short and that we should cherish every moment we have with the ones we love.
Overall, The Luckiest is a powerful testament to the joys and difficulties of love, and how finding the right person can make all the difference in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't get many things right the first time,
I often make mistakes and rarely get things right on the first try.
In fact, I am told that a lot
People often point out my mistakes to me.
Now I know all the wrong turns the stumbles,
I've learned from my mistakes and missteps in life.
And falls brought me here
My failures and setbacks have led me to where I am now.
And where was I before the day
I wonder where I would be if it weren't for the moment
That I first saw your lovely face,
When I first saw and fell in love with you.
Now I see it every day
I'm grateful that I get to see your lovely face every day.
And I know
I am certain
That I am, I am, I am, the luckiest
That I'm extremely fortunate to have you in my life.
What if I had been born fifty years before you
I imagine what my life would be like if I had been born much earlier.
In a house on the street
Living on the same street as you, but much earlier.
Where you lived
Living near your childhood home.
Maybe I'd be outside as you passed on your bike. Would I know?
I might have seen you sometimes on the street, but would I have realized that you were the one for me?
And in a wide sea of eyes
In a huge crowd of people.
I see one pair that I recognize
I finally spot the one person that I know and love.
And I know
I am certain.
That I am, I am, I am, the luckiest
That I'm extremely fortunate to have found you, and to have you in my life.
I love you more then have
I love you more than I am able to express in words.
Ever found the way to say
I feel incapable of really communicating my love for you.
To you
To express it to you directly and adequately.
Next door there's an old man who lived to his nineties and one day
I tell you this story about my neighbor.
Passed away in his sleep,
He died peacefully in his sleep.
And his wife, she stayed for a couple of days, and passed away
His wife followed him just a few days later.
I'm sorry I know that's a strange way to tell you that I know we belong,
I know that it seems like an odd way to say this to you.
That I know
I am certain.
That I am, I am, I am, the luckiest
That I'm so fortunate to have found you, and to have you in my life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BEN FOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rvsam4u
Wow, I'm 68 years old tomorrow and I'm going to play this for my wife of 48 years. I've never heard this song before and I kid you not...I cried. Just beautiful.
@jamiefisher8411
You are the luckiest
@slickskate3782
Your a sweet sensitive man. I'm like that too! My wife of 17 years played that for me when I got right out of jail . And knock on wood haven't been back since. I tear up when I hear it too. I'm 59 and going on 60. I really thank you for your inspiring text
@slickskate3782
Me too my friend. I'm the luckiest guy in the world. I'm 60 and my wife of 20 years is my best friend ever. She loves me despite my PTSD AFTER 6 FAILED MARRIAGE . We seen Ben Folds twice. Sign me peace at last
@deewwwd
https://youtu.be/XzmCVZx_Ws4
@amandajackson848
this made ME cry! Thats so sweet, I wish you many more happy years!
@heartcartography5781
“It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche
@billbutler6926
100% true
@brokent163
God that was a powerful quote. Thank you so much for sharing it!!
@jeremy1392
There's nothing Nietzsche couldn't teach ya 'bout the raising of the wrist.