The members of the band are Ben Folds, the lead singer and pianist, who also wrote most of the songs; Robert Sledge on bass; and Darren Jessee on drums. The group enjoyed the success of the single Brick in 1997, a ballad written by Folds (with a chorus by Jessee) about his high school girlfriend getting an abortion. This song has, to a large degree, misrepresented the band to fans who aren't familiar with their other work; "Brick" is a serious ballad, whereas most of their music is characterised by jazz inflections and witty, humorous lyrics.
After the band's not-so amicable breakup in October 2000 over Ben's over shadowing of Sledge and Jessee, Folds began a solo career. Robert Sledge's subsequent band International Orange has broken up, while Darren Jessee is the frontman for the band Hotel Lights.
Folds once described their music as "punk rock for pussies" - a reaction to the angst prevalent in 90s rock. When asked about his band's name he jokingly responded "you mean a trio isn't five?". In other interviews the band said that the name was simply because Ben Folds Five sounded better than Ben Folds Three.
Ben Folds has continued with producing music on his own, striking a subtler tone than Ben Folds Five's earlier recordings. His personal relationship with William Shatner has opened the doors for a great professional one. Ben Folds produced William Shatner's album Has Been and they have since worked together on The 'Over The Hedge' soundtrack.
On September 18, 2008 at the UNC Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the band reunited for the first time in nearly 10 years for one special gig playing their critically acclaimed final album: The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner in its entirety.
The House Songfacts reports that the trio got together in 2011 to record three new Ben Folds Five songs for the compilation,The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective.
Their 4th studio album "The Sound Of The Life Of The Mind" released September 18th, 2012. A live album titled "Ben Folds Live" released soon after on June 3rd, 2013.
Another live album "The Complete Sessions at West 54th" originally recorded in June of 1997, released on July 10, 2018.
Chopsticks
Ben Folds Five Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He said he liked to do it backwards and I said that's just fine with me
That way we can fuck and watch TV
It was 4 am and the light was grey like it always is in paperbacks
He asked if I liked playing jacks
I told him that I was good to sixes but all hell brook loose after that
I told him that I knew Julia Roberts when I was 12 at summer camp
We didn't say anything after that
I dropped him off and drove on home
'Cause secretly I'm timid
The lyrics of Ben Folds Five's song "Chopsticks" represent a conversation between two people, who met at a party and decided to drive home together. The lyrics take us through their unconventional journey home, where they talk about different things, such as their sexual preferences, childhood memories, and social skills. The first two lines set the playful tone of the conversation, with the singer saying that her companion "liked to do it backwards" and she was "fine with that." The phrasing implies sexual activity but also introduces a comic element through the reference to watching TV at the same time.
The lyrics move on to describe the setting of their drive home, describing the grey light that is usually found in paperbacks. As the two converse, they share their interests and past experiences. The singer talks about her ability to play jacks up to sixes, but then things break loose, causing her to stop. She also mentions a seemingly random memory from her childhood, involving Julia Roberts at a summer camp. The conversation ends on a quiet note, with the singer dropping off her companion and driving home alone, revealing her shyness and introverted nature.
Overall, the lyrics of "Chopsticks" use playful and unusual imagery to create a conversation between two strangers, exploring different aspects of their personalities and lives. The lyrics provide a satirical commentary on the artifice and superficiality of human interaction while also highlighting the awkwardness of socializing with someone new.
Line by Line Meaning
I met him at a party and he told me how to drive him home
I met a guy at a party and he gave me directions to his place
He said he liked to do it backwards and I said that's just fine with me
He mentioned that he prefers doing something opposite to traditional way and I had no problem with it
That way we can fuck and watch TV
He suggested that we can have sex while watching television in reverse position
It was 4 am and the light was grey like it always is in paperbacks
It was early morning with dim light similar to that described in a novel
He asked if I liked playing jacks
He inquired if I enjoy the game of Jacks
I told him that I was good to sixes but all hell brook loose after that
I responded that I can successfully play Jacks until the sixth level but then things become difficult for me
I told him that I knew Julia Roberts when I was 12 at summer camp
I shared with him that I had met Julia Roberts when I was little at a recreational summer program
We didn't say anything after that
We both remained silent after my previous statement
I dropped him off and drove on home
I left him at his destination and continued driving towards my house
'Cause secretly I'm timid
I didn't express my honest feelings because I'm shy by nature
Contributed by Elliot F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Peter Corinth
Just awesome and thank u for posting - great rendition of a great song