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.
For Those Of Ya'll Who Wear Fannie Packs
Ben Folds Five Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Damn! See if I can play
They all said it.
Ugh!
They all said it.
Mmm.
They all said it.
Yo shouts out to my main manager-man, Al Wolmark
CEC
CEC
CEC
Bring in the bass, ya'll!
Yeah! And I thought that's how you felt
About the motherfucker!
Yeah! I thought that's how you felt
Yeah Sledge, bring in the bass. Yeah
For those of ya'll that wear fannie packs
Yah come on
For those of ya'll that wear fannie packs
Come on!
For those of why'all that wear fannie packs!
And ponytails!
Come on!
For those of ya'll that wear fannie packs
And ponytails
I've got the fucking on!
Yeah! My boy Sledge on the bass in your face!
My boy Ben on the piano, comin' in
Let him in! Let him in
Yeah!
Let my boy Ben in. Alright
Yeah
Hey D! Hey D!
Yo, wassup?
Oh, goddamn
You gonna let me in D?
Wassup?
You gonna let me in?
Yo, let that piano solo in
Let me in!
Let me in!
Goddamn!
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah!
Yeah, ah
I been around the world
I've seen things happen
I don't my singing and I don't mind rapping
I could find another hundred ways to get my shit
Goddamn, that's so fucking shit!
Yeah, I said for those of why'all with fannie packs:
Your song's coming up, it's coming at ya!
I want to borrow an Alan wrench
I want to borrow some duct tape
I want to borrow a mic cable
Bass in your face!
Bass in your face
Ugh!
Bass in your face
Ugh!
Bass in your face
Ugh!
Ugh!
Yo G, see in
Alright, let's break it, break it, break it down
We're gonna break this shit on down
Gimme some bass
Aaaaaah
Ah that pretty good
Bring this shit in!
Oh goddamn!
Oh goddamn!
Oh goddamn!
Oh goddamn!
Shit, yeah it's cool
Shit, yeah it's cool
Shit, yeah it's cool
Yeah!
Shit, yeah it's cool
Shit, motherfuckers
Play that cymbal, man
Play that tasty, tasty high-hat work
Yo, I'm gonna bring that tasty high work
I'm gonna bring that shit in
I want to taste it, man
Right now!
Ha ha ha!
A ha ha ha!
Yeah
Ha ha ha!
Goddamn
A ha ha ha!
Yah, this song goes out to
My main-man at The Point in Atlanta
Wussup, G? Gimme more fucking monitor man!
Bernie!
I'm sorry, I can't give you any more monitor than that
It won't go any higher than that because the transistors
The resistors, they won't go any higher!
Yo, yo eh!
Alright, yo, take this motherfucker out
With a piano solo
Goddamn, ugh!
Ugh, goddamn
Uh
Alright
Turn that shit out
1! 2! 3! 4!
Ugh!
Ha ha ha! I hoped you taped that!
That's our next single
Oh, they left
They gave up
"These guys are fucking idiots"
Ha ha ha!
That sucked!
The song "For Those of Ya'll Who Wear Fannie Packs" by Ben Folds Five has a rather unconventional structure and lyrics. The song starts with a set of repeated phrases that seem to be an invocation of sorts, calling out to someone or something. The phrases "Step on your finger" and "Damn! See if I can play" suggest an impromptu jam session of sorts. The lyrics repeat the phrase "They all said it" several times, which could be interpreted as the singer's defiance against criticism or expectations. The song then transitions into a call and response format between the lead singer and the backup vocalists, introducing the titular subject of people who wear fanny packs and ponytails. The lyrics do not provide a clear message or narrative, instead using disjointed phrases and exclamations to create a sense of frenzied energy and spontaneity.
Line by Line Meaning
Step on your finger
I accidentally hurt you, my sincere apology.
Damn! See if I can play
Wow, this is a difficult track to play.
They all said it.
Everyone has been saying the same thing.
Ugh!
An expression of frustration or disappointment.
Mmm.
An expression of content or pleasure.
Yo shouts out to my main manager-man, Al Wolmark
Greetings and recognition to the manager, Al Wolmark.
Known as aka, "Ill Pride of Motherfucker"
He has a nickname called "Ill Pride of Motherfucker".
CEC
Possibly a reference to a recording studio or producer.
Bring in the bass, ya'll!
Add in the bass component of the music.
Yeah! And I thought that's how you felt
Agreement on a previously discussed matter.
About the motherfucker!
Referencing a male individual.
Yeah Sledge, bring in the bass. Yeah
Encouraging Sledge to add in the bass.
For those of ya'll that wear fannie packs
Dedicating the song to individuals who wear fannie packs.
Yah come on
Encouraging the audience to participate.
And ponytails!
Including individuals with ponytails in the dedication.
I've got the fucking on!
I am ready to give my all and perform my best.
Yeah! My boy Sledge on the bass in your face!
Praising Sledge and his bass playing.
My boy Ben on the piano, comin' in
Praising Ben and his piano playing, as he starts to play.
Let him in! Let him in
Giving permission for someone to join.
Hey D! Hey D! Yo, wassup?
Trying to get the attention of someone named D and asking how they are.
You gonna let me in D?
Requesting permission to go somewhere with D.
Yo, let that piano solo in
A request to include a piano solo in the song.
Goddamn!
An expression of surprise or amazement.
I been around the world I've seen things happen
I have traveled a lot and experienced many things.
I don't my singing and I don't mind rapping
I am comfortable with both singing and rapping.
I could find another hundred ways to get my shit
I am very talented and can find numerous creative ways to achieve success.
Goddamn, that's so fucking shit!
Expressing disappointment or frustration with something.
Yeah, I said for those of why'all with fannie packs:
Reiterating the dedication to those with fannie packs.
Your song's coming up, it's coming at ya!
The song for the dedicated audience is about to start.
I want to borrow an Alan wrench
Requesting a specific tool called an Alan wrench.
I want to borrow some duct tape
Requesting some specific material called duct tape.
I want to borrow a mic cable
Requesting a specific type of cable for the microphone.
Bass in your face!
Referring to the strong bass component of the music.
Ugh!
An expression of disgust or annoyance.
Yo G, see in
Saying goodbye or take care.
Alright, let's break it, break it, break it down
Preparing to separate or break apart the song.
We're gonna break this shit on down
Preparing to break down the song.
Gimme some bass
Requesting to add in more bass to the music.
Aaaaaah
An expression or shout of excitement.
Ah that pretty good
Reflecting positively on what has been done.
Bring this shit in!
Preparing to resume or continue the song.
Oh goddamn!
An expression of surprise or amazement.
Shit, yeah it's cool
Expressing positivity about something.
Shit, motherfuckers
An exclamation usually used for emphasis or expression of surprise.
Play that cymbal, man
Requesting to play the cymbal.
Play that tasty, tasty high-hat work
Requesting to play a high-hat component of the drum set, in a fashion that sounds good.
Yo, I'm gonna bring that tasty high work
Announcing the intention to play a high-hat component of the drum set.
I want to taste it, man
Describing a desire to experience the music in a specific manner.
Right now!
Requesting an immediate action to be taken.
Ha ha ha!
Laughing.
A ha ha ha!
Laughing.
Yah, this song goes out to My main-man at The Point in Atlanta
Dedicating the song to someone named My main-man at The Point.
Wussup, G? Gimme more fucking monitor man!
Asking for more sound from the artist monitors.
Bernie!
Addressing someone named Bernie.
I'm sorry, I can't give you any more monitor than that
Explaining the inability to comply with the request due to technical limitations.
It won't go any higher than that because the transistors The resistors, they won't go any higher!
Explaining the reason behind the inability to comply with the request.
Alright, yo, take this motherfucker out
Preparing to end the song.
With a piano solo
Concluding the song with a piano solo.
Goddamn, ugh!
An expression of surprise, annoyance or disgust.
Uh
An exclamation of hesitation or uncertainty.
Alright
A signal to proceed or continue.
Turn that shit out
Giving encouragement to give a great performance.
1! 2! 3! 4!
Counting in the music to start the song.
Ugh!
An expression of frustration or annoyance.
Ha ha ha! I hoped you taped that!
Jokingly assuming that someone recorded the song.
That's our next single
Humorously assuming that this song will be their next release.
Oh, they left
Realizing that their audience has left the performance.
They gave up
Assuming their audience lost interest in the performance.
"These guys are fucking idiots"
A statement made by the audience to describe the performers.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FOLDS, JESSEE, SLEDGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind