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.
rockstar
Ben Folds Lyrics
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Then I want you to be
You're not mine anymore
You're public property
You're a slave to these people
Who don't even know you
You think they adore you
Give the people what they want
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Rockstar
You can shine all alone
But you still need your friends
To remind you you're nothing
Unless you're plugged in
'Cause baby the truth is
You need their approval
They tell you you're cool
Hey but look how you payed for it
Give the people what they want
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Rockstar
Rockstar
Rockstar
Oh, is that what you are?
There must be thousands of you
So your time is in crumbs now
Your image is dumbed down
You're full of them now
What about when it runs out
Maybe you'll come back
Yeah, maybe I'll be here
You're already gone
So just go
'Cause they're waiting for you
Yeah, you
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Oh, is that what you are?
In Ben Folds's song Rockstar, he sings about the life of a celebrity and the struggles they face in maintaining their public image. The lyrics convey a sense of emptiness and insincerity that comes along with being a rockstar. The opening line suggests that the singer wants the person to be free, but acknowledges that they are now public property and no longer belong to them. The second verse highlights the pressure to maintain an image, and the need for approval from fans and the media. The repetition of "give the people what they want" emphasizes the sense of obligation and sacrifice that comes with fame. The chorus "rockstar, rockstar, rockstar" is almost sarcastic in its repetition, suggesting that being a rockstar is not what it appears to be.
Throughout the song, there is a theme of loss and abandonment, with lines like "you're already gone" and "maybe you'll come back". The final "oh, is that what you are?" is almost a taunt, suggesting that being a rockstar is not as impressive as it may seem.
Incongruously, despite the darker themes the song is about, the music is upbeat and catchy. This contrast is representative of the way in which celebrities present themselves as happy and successful, despite their struggles behind the scenes.
Overall, Rockstar is a commentary on the façade of fame and the sacrifices that come with being in the public eye. It is a sharp critique of the unrealistic expectations placed on celebrities, and the toll that it takes on their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want to be free
If you desire freedom
Then I want you to be
I support your decision
You're not mine anymore
We are not involved romantically anymore
You're public property
You belong to the public
You're a slave to these people
You are subservient to the public
Who don't even know you
Who do not have a personal relationship with you
You think they adore you
You believe they admire you
They do, then they throw you away
They like you for a while, then they discard you
Give the people what they want
Provide what the public desires
You've got to give the people what they want
You have to give the public what they want
Got to give the people what they want
It is a must to provide what the public wants
Rockstar
Be a rockstar
You can shine all alone
You can be very successful by yourself
But you still need your friends
But you still require companions
To remind you you're nothing
To remember that you are unimportant
Unless you're plugged in
Unless you are connected to the public
'Cause baby the truth is
Because, my love, the reality is
You need their approval
You require their agreement
They tell you you're cool
They say you are trendy
Hey but look how you payed for it
But consider how you attained that status
Oh, is that what you are?
Is that what you have become?
There must be thousands of you
There must be countless like you
So your time is in crumbs now
So your moment of popularity is fleeting
Your image is dumbed down
You have been portrayed as less intelligent for branding purposes
You're full of them now
You are entirely characterized by your brand
What about when it runs out
What will happen when your fame fades
Maybe you'll come back
Perhaps you will return
Yeah, maybe I'll be here
Yes, maybe I will be here
You're already gone
You have already left
So just go
So leave now
'Cause they're waiting for you
Because the public is expecting you
Yeah, you
Yes, you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind