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.
Don't Change Your Plans
Ben Folds Five Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I won't be on this planet for very long
I really like it here
I'm quite attached to it; I hope I'm wrong
All I really want to say
You're the reason I want to stay
I loved you before I met you
Because there was nothing left
I sat here on my suitcase
In our empty new apartment
'til the sun went down
And I walked back down the stairs
With all my bags and drove away
You must be freaking out
All I know is I got to be
Where my heart says I ought to be
It often makes no sense, in fact
I never understand these things I feel
Don't change your plans for me
I won't move to LA
The leaves are falling back east
That's where I'm going to stay
You have made me smile again
In fact I might be sore from it
It's been awhile
I know we've been together
Many times before
I'll see you on the other side
Don't change your plans for me
I won't move to LA
The leaves are falling back east
That's where I'm going to stay
All I really want to say
You're the reason I want to stay
But destiny is calling
And I told them when my time is up
I'm out of here
All I know is I got to be
Where my heart says I ought to be
It often makes no sense, in fact
I never understand these things I feel
I love you, good bye
I love you, good bye
The song "Don't Change Your Plans" by Ben Folds Five is a melancholic tune that centers around the idea of mortality and the singer's realization that he may not have a lot of time left on earth. He expresses his love for the earth, the people in his life, and a specific individual. The lyrics convey a sense of tension, as the singer knows he must leave but doesn't want to hurt the people he loves. He sits in his empty apartment before leaving and reflects on his feelings, trying to make sense of them.
The singer then directly addresses a loved one and tells them not to change their plans for him. He loves them and wants them to continue on with their life. The singer leaves for a place where his heart feels he should be, even though it may not make sense to others. The final lines serve as a goodbye to his loved one, expressing his love for them one last time.
Overall, the lyrics of "Don't Change Your Plans" are an introspective look into mortality, expressing the singer's love for the people and places in his life while acknowledging the inevitable end. It's a message to a loved one, urging them to continue on with their life and not change for him.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I get the feeling
Occasionally I have a sensation
That I won't be on this planet for very long
That my time on Earth may be limited
I really like it here
I genuinely enjoy being alive
I'm quite attached to it; I hope I'm wrong
I'm fond of Earth and I hope my intuition is incorrect
All I really want to say
The message I want to convey
You're the reason I want to stay
You are the motivation for me to continue living
I loved you before I met you
I felt affection towards you before we met
And I met you just in time
We formed a connection at the opportune moment
Because there was nothing left
There was nothing else to fill the void
I sat here on my suitcase
I perched on my luggage
In our empty new apartment
Within our vacant and new home
'til the sun went down
Until dusk descended
And I walked back down the stairs
I descended the stairway
With all my bags and drove away
I left with all my possessions
You must be freaking out
You may be experiencing distress
All I know is I got to be
I am certain that I must be
Where my heart says I ought to be
In the location that my heart desires me to be
It often makes no sense, in fact
It is frequently irrational to me
I never understand these things I feel
I always find these emotions difficult to comprehend
Don't change your plans for me
Do not alter your arrangements on my account
I won't move to LA
I have no intention of relocating to Los Angeles
The leaves are falling back east
Autumnal foliage is descending in the eastern region
That's where I'm going to stay
That is the location where I will reside
You have made me smile again
You have caused me to smile once more
In fact I might be sore from it
Indeed, my face could be aching due to excessive smiling
It's been awhile
It has been a significant amount of time
I know we've been together
I am aware that we have spent time together
Many times before
Numerous occasions in the past
I'll see you on the other side
I will encounter you in the future
All I really want to say
The message I wish to impart
You're the reason I want to stay
You are the factor that makes me want to continue living
But destiny is calling
However, fate is summoning me
And I told them when my time is up
And I instructed them that when my duration has ended
I'm out of here
I will depart from here
I love you, good bye
I cherish you, farewell
I love you, good bye
I adore you, adieu
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BEN FOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind