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.
Emaline
Ben Folds Five Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When we could lose ourselves in crowds everyday.
'Cause Emaline, she'll walk in time.
She's not the same, that's all you can say.
When I've heard enough I tell myself
That we've learned our lesson
But I don't want to walk away from Emaline.
Does she know what they're saying?
She's go the air to float above it.
I'm sinking into someone should pay.
She's dear to me and so expensive.
Now I'm not talking about money.
When money talks, I hate to listen,
But lately it's been screaming in my ear.
When I've heard enough I tell myself
That we've learned our lesson
But I don't want to walk away from Emaline.
It only took me one look to understand Emaline.
Sometimes I don't know what she's saying.
Sometimes I do,
Sometimes I don't know what she's saying,
But I know, I know,
I know what she wants to believe.
I wish it was last September.
Don't let me walk away from Emaline
For stupid reasons.
Now I'm talking about money.
When money talks, I hate to listen,
But lately it's been screaming in my ear.
My one advice, girls need attention,
Or are you different than all mine?
For what it's worth, she's got attention
From people like a.c. black and white.
When I've heard enough, I tell you what.
I really shouldn't sit here and whine,
I'll take you down to see my Emaline.
The song Emaline by Ben Folds is about a girl named Emaline who seems to be the center of attention for a lot of people. The singer wishes it was September, a time when they could get lost in crowds and not have to think about their problems. He talks about how Emaline walks in time, but she's not the same as she used to be, and he wonders if she knows what people are saying about her. Though he knows that they've learned their lesson, he doesn't want to walk away from Emaline.
The singer expresses his love for Emaline and how dear she is to him. He's not talking about money when he says she's expensive, but he hates to listen to money talk. He believes that girls need attention, and if they don't get it, they'll go somewhere else. He knows that Emaline has attention from people like A.C. Black and White, and he shouldn't whine about it. The singer promises to take us down to see Emaline, and we shouldn't leave her for stupid reasons.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish it was last September
I long for the carefree days we had last September when we could get lost in a crowd every day.
When we could lose ourselves in crowds everyday.
We could easily blend in and disappear in the crowds, and it felt liberating.
'Cause Emaline, she'll walk in time.
Emaline always seems to go with the flow and never out of sync with everyone else.
She's not the same, that's all you can say.
Though she looks like everyone else, there's something unique and different about Emaline that sets her apart.
When I've heard enough I tell myself
That we've learned our lesson
But I don't want to walk away from Emaline.
Despite knowing when to quit, I can't help but stay drawn to Emaline and keep coming back for more.
They're talking now.
People are gossiping about Emaline, and I wonder if she's aware and how she's taking it.
Does she know what they're saying?
I ponder on whether or not Emaline is privy to the rumors about her.
She's got the air to float above it.
Emaline has the confidence and grace to rise above the negative opinions of others.
I'm sinking into someone should pay.
I'm feeling resentful towards whoever started the rumors and wishing they would face consequences.
She's dear to me and so expensive.
Emaline is someone I cherish and hold in high regard; she's priceless to me.
Now I'm not talking about money.
I'm not referring to material worth when I say Emaline is expensive.
When money talks, I hate to listen,
But lately it's been screaming in my ear.
I detest being influenced by money, but lately, it's become increasingly hard to ignore its implications in my life.
It only took me one look to understand Emaline.
Despite not knowing what Emaline is thinking or saying, one look from her is enough for me to understand her.
Sometimes I don't know what she's saying.
Emaline can be cryptic and difficult to read at times.
Sometimes I do,
Sometimes I don't know what she's saying,
But I know, I know,
I know what she wants to believe.
While I may not always grasp what Emaline is saying, I can sense what she truly wants to believe deep down.
Don't let me walk away from Emaline
For stupid reasons.
I don't want to lose Emaline over petty reasons or materialistic values.
My one advice, girls need attention,
Or are you different than all mine?
My experience has taught me that girls require attention and care, or am I missing something when it comes to Emaline?
For what it's worth, she's got attention
From people like a.c. black and white.
Emaline already has admirers and attention, including those considered prominent in society.
When I've heard enough, I tell you what.
I really shouldn't sit here and whine,
I'll take you down to see my Emaline.
Once I've had my fill of complaining, I'll take you to meet Emaline and let you understand why she captivates me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Martina Giselle
Have loved this song for about 15 years... am currently pregnant with my second daughter and naming her Emaline. Thanks to BF5 for being the soundtrack to my life.
LoBo
The sound of the life and the mind.
Shannon M.
I named my 2nd Emaline too. She’s 6 now and as unique as the girl in the song ❤️
Emira
My daughter will be 13 this year and she’s named after this song! Her name is Emaline Freya 🥰
Burner Facetime
This is one of my all time favorite live performances ever.
Robert Ruby
This was the first version I ever heard of this song and it's still my favorite. I love the energy that the backup vocals and the drums add.
I just posted a multi-instrument cover of this version in particular to my channel :]
Jack Dorsey
Wow, I have literally the same opinion. First version, and it's my favorite because of the backup vocals and other instruments. :)
Pinemarten
This has very quickly turned into my favourite Ben Folds Five song. What a beautiful song, should have been put on an album
eldawgthemus
i think this whole show is indescribably amazing, but this one is probably the best one next to selfless, cold and composed in this show
Nikki Murphy
My heart is full listening to this ❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰