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.
Draw A Crowd
Ben Folds Five Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I order something, it took a while
This morning something was on my doorstep
What's this I'm holding?
Time capsule owner, cause I'm a brand new man
And I don't think I want it
I don't think I want it,
A roll of flies
What guarded up nights and questions, and photo-flashes burning,
And I'm so high, I can't recall my statements,
I only know I made them, because my face vibrated
Is it all in my mind?
I could've sworn I saw it
I thought I was high, just like this one I'm coming
Oh-oh if you're feeling small, and you can't draw a crowd
Draw dicks on a wall
Oh-oh if you're feeling small, and you can't draw a crowd
Draw dicks on a wall
I was startled when it was just feet on gravel
Two have come apart, I must have once been raveled
Now in pretty phrases, it don't mean nothing
And I wanna sell 'em, I see my wine again
So smooth you can hear the beard,
So smooth you can hear the beard,
(Hear the beard)
Three times it's poetry,
So smooth you can hear the beard
Oh-oh if you're feeling small, and you can't draw a crowd
Draw dicks on a wall
Oh-oh if you're feeling small, and you can't draw a crowd
Draw dicks on a wall
If you can't draw a crowd
Draw dicks on a wall
And if you can't draw a crowd, settle for what you can draw
I'm just saying
I'm just saying
What a saying: that I'm just saying
But many wait, to what I'm saying
Always come back again, I can't ignore it
I'm a brand new man, but I'm still ṗrayin' for it
Oh-oh if you're feeling small, and you can't draw a crowd
Draw dicks on a wall
Oh-oh if you're feeling small, and you can't draw a crowd
Draw dicks on a wall
If you can't draw a crowd, draw dicks on a wall
If you can't draw a crowd, draw dicks on a wall
And if you can't draw a crowd, settle for what you can draw
I only wanted to be Stevie Wonder
But I got to settle for this vanilla thunder
(If you can't draw a crowd)
This vanilla thunder
(If you can't draw a crowd)
This vanilla thunder
(If you can't draw a crowd)
This vanilla thunder
If you feeling small
"Draw A Crowd" by Ben Folds Five is a playful and satirical song that seems to address the need for recognition and acceptance in today's society. The opening lines express feelings of confusion and lack of direction, which are transformed by the end of the song into a powerful affirmation of self-esteem through the satirical act of drawing penises on the wall. The song is both introspective and humorous, as it focuses on the struggle to find meaning in one's life while being able to laugh at oneself.
The lyrics of the song suggest that the singer is struggling with identity, after receiving a mysterious package that contains a "time capsule" that seems to challenge his sense of self. The lyrics also seem to suggest that the singer is on some kind of psychedelic trip, as he has trouble recalling his own statements, and his senses appear to be heightened. However, the song's ultimate message is to embrace one's imperfections and recognize the power of creativity, even in a small and silly way.
Overall, "Draw A Crowd" is a lighthearted and infectious song that combines musical experimentation with witty and insightful lyrics. The song's message is one of self-acceptance and the power of creativity to overcome feelings of inadequacy.
Line by Line Meaning
Damn
Expressing frustration or disbelief
I order something, it took a while
Waiting for something and the anticipation can be frustrating
This morning something was on my doorstep
Something unexpected happened
What's this I'm holding?
Wondering about something
Time capsule owner, cause I'm a brand new man
Feeling renewed and changed
And I don't think I want it
Being unsure about what one has
A roll of flies
Unpleasant things
Hang in behind me
Lurking behind, still affecting the present
What guarded up nights and questions, and photo-flashes burning
Memories, both good and bad, that keep coming back
And I'm so high, I can't recall my statements
Under the influence of something and having trouble remembering what one said
Is it all in my mind?
Questioning if something is real or imagined
I could've sworn I saw it
Being convinced that something was seen
I thought I was high, just like this one I'm coming
Feeling similar or the same to a past experience, especially while under the influence of something
Oh-oh if you're feeling small, and you can't draw a crowd
Draw dicks on a wall
If one feels insignificant, finding ways to feel powerful or significant, even if they are crude or vulgar
I was startled when it was just feet on gravel
Being surprised by something ordinary
Two have come apart, I must have once been raveled
Things or people that were once together are now separate
Now in pretty phrases, it don't mean nothing
Fancy words or expressions aren't always substantial or meaningful
And I wanna sell 'em, I see my wine again
Wanting to use something to gain something else
So smooth you can hear the beard
Making a joke about something being so smooth it could be heard
Three times it's poetry
Something has a poetic quality to it
Oh-oh if you're feeling small, and you can't draw a crowd
Draw dicks on a wall
If you can't draw a crowd
Draw dicks on a wall
Repeating the earlier sentiment of finding ways to feel significant, even if it's vulgar
And if you can't draw a crowd, settle for what you can draw
Making do with what one has
I'm just saying
Expressing an opinion
What a saying: that I'm just saying
Making a joke about the phrase itself
But many wait, to what I'm saying
People are listening or waiting to hear what one has to say
Always come back again, I can't ignore it
Something keeps recurring, even if one doesn't want it to
I'm a brand new man, but I'm still praying' for it
Changing oneself but still hoping for something
I only wanted to be Stevie Wonder
But I got to settle for this vanilla thunder
Not achieving the ideal but accepting and making the best of what one has
This vanilla thunder
Describing oneself as ordinary or bland
If you feeling small
Addressing the listener and acknowledging feeling insignificant
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BEN FOLDS, BENJAMIN SCOTT FOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind