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.
There's Always Someone Cooler
Ben Folds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like you've got nothing to prove
No matter what you might do
There's always someone out there cooler than you
I know that's hard to believe
But there are people you meet
They're into something that is too big to be
Expressed
And they'll put up with all the poses you'll throw
And you won't
Even know
That they're not sizing you up
They know your mom fucked you up
Or maybe let you watch too much TV
But they'll still look in your eyes
To find the human inside
You know there's always something in there to see
Beneath
The veneer
Not everybody made the list this year
Have a beer
Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall
But there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the shit but you won't be it for long
Oh, there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
Now that I've got the disease
In a way I'm relieved
'Cause I don't have to stress about it like you do
I might just get up and dance
Or buy some acid-wash pants
When you don't care then you got nothing to lose
And I won't
Hesitate
'Cause every moment life is slipping away
It's ok
Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall
But there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the shit but you won't be it for long
Oh, there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
Oh, there's always someone cooler than...
Life is wonderful
Life is beautiful
We're all children of
One big universe
So you don't have to be a chump
And you know (you know)
That I won't (I won't)
Hesitate (hesitate)
'Cause every moment life is slipping away (away)
It's okay (it's okay)
Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall
Oh, 'cause there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the shit but you won't be it for long
But there's always someone cooler than you
Oh yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
Because there's always someone cooler than you
Cooler than you (boy)
Cooler than you (girl)
Cooler than you (sir)
Cooler than you (my lady)
Ohhhh
Nerds go wild
Yeah Yeah!
The song "There's Always Someone Cooler Than You" by Ben Folds feat. Regina Spektor is a reminder to enjoy life and not stress about trying to be the coolest person in the room. The lyrics advise the listener to smile like they have nothing to prove and not worry about their image or what others think of them because no matter what they do, there will always be someone out there cooler than them. The song suggests that it's okay to be yourself and not try too hard to impress others or fit in with a certain group.
The lyrics also suggest that those who are truly cool are the ones who are comfortable with themselves and don't judge others based on their appearance or behavior. They may be into things that are not expressed through their clothes, and they don't size others up or try to make themselves feel superior. The song acknowledges that everyone has their own quirks and issues, but there is always something to see beneath the surface and find the human inside.
Overall, the song is a fun and upbeat reminder to live life to the fullest and not worry too much about trying to be cool or impressing others.
Line by Line Meaning
Smile like you've got nothing to prove
Don't feel pressured to prove yourself to anyone, just smile and be confident.
No matter what you might do
Even if you do something impressive or cool, there will always be someone who has done something cooler.
There's always someone out there cooler than you
No matter how awesome you are, there is always someone more awesome out there.
I know it's hard to believe
It can be difficult to accept that someone might be cooler than you.
But there are people you meet
You will come across people who are very cool.
They're into something that is too big to be
These cool people have an interest or passion that is too big to be expressed through their clothes or appearance.
Expressed through their clothes
Their coolness is not reflected solely by their outfit or appearance.
And they'll put up with all the poses you throw
They won't judge you for trying to impress them with your cool poses or behavior.
And you won't even know
You may not be aware that someone is cooler than you.
That they're not sizing you up
They aren't judging or evaluating you based on your coolness.
They know your mom fucked you up
They understand that personal life experiences can impact your confidence and self-esteem.
Or maybe let you watch too much TV
They know that outside factors, such as television, can have an effect on how cool you are.
But they'll still look in your eyes
They will try to see the real you beyond your exterior coolness.
To find the human inside
They want to connect with the real, vulnerable, human part of you.
You know there's always something to see
Everyone has a deeper, more complex side to them that can be discovered.
Beneath the veneer
Beyond the superficial cool traits you might display, there is more to discover.
Not everybody made the list this year
Not everyone can be considered the coolest in any given year.
Have a beer
Relax and enjoy a cold drink.
Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall
If you need to diminish my coolness to feel cooler, go ahead and do it.
But there's always someone cooler than you
Despite your cool accomplishments, there will always be someone cooler than you.
Yeah, you're the shit but you won't be it for long
You may be cool now, but eventually someone else will come along who is even cooler.
Now that I've got the disease
Now that I have caught on to this mindset of accepting someone cooler than myself.
In a way I'm relieved
I don't have to constantly worry about being the coolest when there is always someone cooler.
Cause I don't have to stress about it like you do.
I don't have to put as much effort or focus on being cool as you might.
I might just get up and dance
I can enjoy myself and dance without worrying about looking cool.
Or buy some acid wash pants
I can wear whatever I want without worrying about looking cool.
When you don't care then
When you stop stressing about being cool.
You've got nothing to lose
You can simply be yourself and not worry about how cool you appear to others.
And I won't hesitate
I won't hesitate to embrace my own unique qualities and characteristics.
Because every moment life is slipping away
Life is too short to spend it worrying about being cool.
It's okay
It's okay not to be the coolest person in the room all the time.
Life is wonderful
Life is amazing and full of opportunities to experience new things.
Oh, life is beautiful
Life is beautiful, and there is beauty in all people regardless of their coolness level.
We're all children of one big universe
We are all connected, and our individual coolness level is insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
So you don't have to be a chump
You don't have to try too hard to be cool, just be yourself and enjoy life.
And you know that I won't hesitate
And you know that I won't be hesitant about being myself.
'Cause every moment life is slipping away
Life can go by quickly, so it's important to focus on enjoying it rather than trying to be cool all the time.
Cooler than you [Repeats]
The phrase repeats throughout the song to emphasize that there will always be someone cooler than you.
Oh yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
Throughout the song, the singer repeats this phrase to emphasize the idea that there will always be someone who is cooler than you.
Nerds go wild
An expression of excitement and encouragement to embrace one's own unique interests and passions, regardless of whether they are considered cool or not.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lucie Lein
(Lyrics)
Smile like you've got nothing to prove
No matter what you might do
There's always someone out there cooler than you
I know it's hard to believe
But there are people you meet
They're into something that is too big to be
Expressed through their clothes
And they'll put up with all the poses you throw
And you won't even know
That they're not sizing you up
They know your mom fucked you up
Or maybe let you watch too much TV
But they'll still look in your eyes
To find the human inside
You know there's always something to see
Beneath the veneer
Not everybody made the list this year
Have a beer
(Chorus)
Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall
But there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the shit but you won't be it for long
Oh, there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
Now that I've got the disease
In a way I'm relieved
'cause I don't have to stress about it like you do.
I might just get up and dance
Or buy some acid wash pants
When you don't care then
You've got nothing to loose
And I won't hesitate
Cause every moment life it slipping away
It's okay
Make me feel tiny if it make you feel tall
But there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the shit but you won't be it for long
Oh, there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
Oh, There's always someone cooler than
Life is wonderful
Oh, life is beautiful
We're all children of one big universe
So you don't have to be a chump
And you know that I won't hesitate
'cause every moment life is slipping away
It's okay
Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall
Because there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the shit but you won't be it for long
But there's always someone cooler than you
Oh yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
Because there's always someone cooler than you
Cooler than you [Repeats]
Nerds go wild!
Yeah! Yeah!
Songwriters: Ben Folds / Benjamin Scott Folds
David Purplous
Smile like you've got nothing to prove
No matter what you might do
There's always someone out there cooler than you
I know it's hard to believe
But there are people you meet
They're into something that is too big to be
Expressed through their clothes
And they'll put up with all the poses you throw
And you won't even know
That they're not sizing you up
They know your mom fucked you up
Or maybe let you watch too much TV
But they'll still look in your eyes
To find the human inside
You know there's always something to see
Beneath the veneer
Not everybody made the list this year
Have a beer
Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall
But there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the shit but you won't be it for long
Oh, there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
Now that I've got the disease
In a way I'm relieved
'cause I don't have to stress about it like you do.
I might just get up and dance
Or buy some acid wash pants
When you don't care then
You've got nothing to loose
And I won't hesitate
Because every moment life it slipping away
It's okay
Make me feel tiny if it make you feel tall
But there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the shit but you won't be it for long
But there's always someone cooler than you
Oh, there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
There's always someone cooler than
Life is wonderful
Oh, life is beautiful
We're all children of one big universe
So you don't have to be a chump
And you know that I won't hesitate
'cause every moment life is slipping away
It's okay
Make me feel tiny if it make you feel tall
Because there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the shit but you won't be it for long
But there's always someone cooler than you
Oh yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
Because there's always someone cooler than you
Slimer44 Producciones
Years in the future
Golden Freeza: So what do you think now MONKEYS
Krillin: Cooler did it
Freeza: EXCUSE YOU
Krillin: the whole metalic color body, Cooler did it
Rohan Potu
welp :((
Thomas takes a toll for the dark
W-what?! But he was a robot!
Alex Worley
@Thomas takes a toll for the dark He also did the new form thing.
Cheesy
@Thomas Dahlberg About as different as you are from Cooler
Fathien12 Zulfan
@Cheesy SHOTS FIRED!
NameTaken1191
Thanks for informally introducing me to Ben Folds, TFS. For those who haven't yet, I highly recommend you check out his other songs like "Time", "Landed", "Rockin' the Suburbs", "Jesusland", and "Still Fighting It".
Mk Danon
How u not include “army” on this list!?
…Hey, I think this guys wearing a wire!
James Field
His lyrics are so good and such a great voice.
Adam
Whether you're here from TFS or are a fan of Ben Folds you have great taste.