"OKAY! Let's try once again.
Have an unmastered track from the new Ben Folds Five album. It's called "Do It Anyway". The intensity of the track is typical of the rest of the album, but each song is quite different. That always was the way with our records I suppose. We're nearly done and I think it's a cracker.
http://bit.ly/IR7qg1
Posting this track, preaching to our online choir along with a few select interviews - I'm thinking Nerdist - will be the extent of the album promotion for the run up to the September release.
I realize that it's a luxury for us to promote only to fans. We've had the help of labels for years which gave us a leg up. The years of traditional promotion, soul draining as they might have been, affords us that luxury now. A start up band cannot easily do it this way. Our intention is not to 'stick it to the man'. He's quite stuck enough. We don't care to create a new model. We're just doing it the way it feels best this time around and quite honestly, making it up as we go along.
Please consider joining our label as Vice President of Promotion - There's unlimited room for vices. We'll credit you each in the LP vinyl album art somehow and if it won't all fit then we'll make poster art of names.
I recall being very excited to have had my name put on a knife in a glass case at a restaurant for being a frequent customer. I am one of many but I still beam with pride to point it out. Once had a star named after me too. I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff. I digress...
As Vice President of Promotion, all you have to do is put up with my tweeting and facebooking in the run up to the release, and recycle and retweet as much as you can deal with. I'll run ideas past you all, feel free to chime in.
We're not signed at the moment. We may sign a distribution deal or even a record deal if it all coincides with the way we want to work. Or not. We're chewing over plans. In any event, we'll go ahead and put the album on pre-sale soon ourselves and tweet like the wind.
We just need everyone to spread the word up to the release and put up with a few extra transmissions from me. I've got some more long winded blogging to do anyway.
Happy Friday, or maybe Saturday Morning."
Do It Anyway
Ben Folds Five Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's risky, people love to tear that down
Let 'em try
Do it anyway
Risk it anyway
And if you're paralyzed by a voice in your head
It's the standing still that should be scaring you instead
Do it anyway
Do it anyway
There will be times you might leap before you look
There'll be times you'll like the cover and that's precisely why you'll love the book
Do it anyway
Do it anyway
Tell me what I said I'd never do
Tell me what I said I'd never say
Read me off a list of the things I used to not like but now I think are ok
Sometimes it's not subjective: wrong and right
Deep down you know it's downright wrong but you're invincible tonight
So you
Do it anyway
It's done
You did it
Despite your grand attempts the chips are set to fall
And all the stories you might weave cannot negotiate them all
Do it anyway
Be honest, anyway
So tell me what I said I'd never do
Tell me what I said I'd never say
Read me off a list of the things I used to not like but now I think are OK
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
It's gonna be so very hard to say
And watch the trust and joy all drain from her innocent face
But you must
Do it anyway
It sucks but
Do it anyway
Call it surrender but you know that that's a joke
And the punchline is you were never actually in control
But still, surrender anyway
Tell me what you said you'd never do
Tell me what you said you'd never say
Read me off that list of things 'cause I used to not like you
But now I think you're OK
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Everybody knows that you just gotta do it anyway
Do it anyway
Do it anyway
Do it anyway
Do it anyway
Do it anyway
Do it anyway
Do it anyway
Do it anyway
'Cause you don't do nothing to avoid self punishment
You won't do nothing
You won't feel nothing
Gotta
Do it, do it, do it anyway
Ah
Do it anyway
The lyrics of "Do It Anyway" by Ben Folds Five is a call for taking risks and pursuing one's dreams, despite the fear of failure or criticism from others. The opening lines suggest that putting oneself out there is a risk, but one that is worth taking, regardless of the potential for criticism. The chorus of "Do it anyway, risk it anyway" repeats this message, urging the listener to take that leap of faith regardless of fear. The second verse addresses the inner critic that can hold us back, reminding the listener that standing still is scarier than taking a step forward. The chorus repeats, strengthened by the line "It's done, you did it", making a statement of finality that says, "the risk is worth taking, even if it fails.”
The following lines capture the sense of growth that comes from taking risks: “Tell me what I said I'd never do
Tell me what I said I'd never say
Read me off a list of the things I used to not like but now I think are OK.” These lyrics suggest that sometimes it takes a leap of faith to change our minds and grow as individuals. The bridge of the song takes a darker turn, speaking to the consequences that may result from taking risks. Recognizing the cost and the inherent risk, the singer acknowledges that sometimes the path forward is still through difficult, painful decisions. Nonetheless, the message of the song remains clear: "Do it anyway".
Overall, "Do It Anyway" urges the listener to take risks, pursue dreams, and move forward, even when the odds are against us. The lyrics present a sense of confidence, showing that the singer trusts in his or her own intuition, and he or she has the courage to follow their own path.
Line by Line Meaning
You might put your love and trust on the line
Taking a risk by exposing yourself and trusting someone.
It's risky, people love to tear that down
There's always a chance someone could ruin the trust you put in them.
Let 'em try
Let them attempt to harm your trust, but don't let it stop you from trying.
Do it anyway
Don't be afraid to take risks and pursue what you want, despite the potential obstacles.
Risk it anyway
Take the risk and put yourself out there even if you might get hurt.
And if you're paralyzed by a voice in your head
If you're afraid and held back by your own thoughts and doubts.
It's the standing still that should be scaring you instead
Stagnation and inaction should be scarier than the fear of failure.
Go on and
Encouraging you to push forward.
There will be times you might leap before you look
You'll occasionally act first and plan second.
There'll be times you'll like the cover and that's precisely why you'll love the book
Sometimes first impressions can be deceiving, and you may find something you love unexpectedly.
Tell me what I said I'd never do
Reflecting on your past perceptions to learn about your growth and changes.
Tell me what I said I'd never say
Reflecting on your previous limitations and values to see how you've evolved.
Read me off a list of the things I used to not like but now I think are ok
Acknowledging how time and experience can change our opinions and views on things.
Sometimes it's not subjective: wrong and right
Sometimes, there is a clear difference between right and wrong.
Deep down you know it's downright wrong but you're invincible tonight
Knowing something is wrong but doing it anyways because you feel invulnerable.
It's done
Acknowledging that there might be consequences to our actions that can't be avoided.
Despite your grand attempts the chips are set to fall
You can't control the outcome of everything, even when you try your hardest.
And all the stories you might weave cannot negotiate them all
No matter how hard we try and craft our stories, we can't control every aspect of our lives.
Be honest, anyway
Reminding you to always be true to yourself, even when it's hard.
It sucks but
Acknowledging that certain situations can suck, but it's still worth it to push through them.
Call it surrender but you know that that's a joke
Mocking the idea of giving up, as it's not truly giving up but rather moving on and accepting a situation.
And the punchline is you were never actually in control
We can't control everything in our lives, despite how much we want to.
Tell me what you said you'd never do
Asking someone to reflect on the things they thought they would never do, but ended up doing anyways.
Read me off that list of things 'cause I used to not like you
Reflecting on the moments when someone started to appreciate and enjoy something they previously disliked.
Everybody knows that you just gotta do it anyway
Encouraging others to take risks and go after things they want, despite the potential risks.
Gotta
Encouraging you to take action and go after what you want.
Do it, do it, do it anyway
Continuing to encourage you to take action and go after what you want.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BEN FOLDS, BENJAMIN SCOTT FOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daphne_inProgress
This song saved my Bachelor's degree! A few months ago I was very close to giving up on my thesis, and even though I didn't even see the point in finishing anymore, this song somehow got me to finish the damn thing anyway. I graduated a few weeks ago, so thank you Ben Folds Five =D
dangeloandthangs
I am working on my doctorate...in the last few courses before my QUALS...and it just “got real.” This song came to me this morning...it has really encouraged me.
Don’t look me in my eyes when u dance for me
Congrats!!!!!🎉🎈🍾🎊
Ben Folds
How are you doing
Percy Gloverfold
It amazes me that Ben can sing while playing the piano like this. The whole song might as well be a piano solo.
Neon Light
No way Robert makes this song amazing!
Bruce Wayne
Watch your profanity. Don’t forget about Darren!!!
Jonathan Randol
From what I understand Ben plays by ear. I feel comfortable saying this as no one knows me on this platform or where I am, but my 10 year old son can play by ear, amazingly well. As of now, my grandmother (she has a baby-grand Schomaker i learned on) and I are the only people who know. My son's mother doesn't even know. Due to my extremely high IQ, I was tested and prodded from age 6 until... Well, the NSA still tests me regularly... And I don't want him to have a similar experience, so I am going to keep his talent private. Extremely.
I messed around and played some simple John Philip Souza songs and he laughed and told me how many keys I hit and played them back perfectly. I said "ok tough guy, try this...", and put on a J.S. Bach record (Goldberg Variations BMW 988) and had him listen, he did, then asked to listen again, so I obliged. He then played key for key the 5-10 minute section I played for him. My jaw is still on the floor.... He then did the same thing with Chopin Nocturnes. Should I let him loose on the world, or hone his skill on my own and let him have a somewhat normal childhood...? No worries, I don't expect you to answer my dilemma, I am merely asking myself a question. The answer is obvious; Let a lying dog sleep...
nathanael oakes
@Jonathan Randol ok guy
Dubtat Tat
Robert Sledge killing it on the bass, as usual. Such and exciting player.