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.
Pretty
Ben Folds Five Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Are you ready to rock, man"
"Yeah!"
"Hey, quit fucking around I wanna rock, okay?"
"One, two, one two three!"
"I am not fucking around, now I'm three inches taller than this little fucking mic, and it sucks!"
"I wanna rock! I'm not bullshitting you mother fuckers, lets go! One, two, one two three four!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"Two, three, four!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"One, two, three four!"
The opening lines of Ben Folds Five's "For All The Pretty People" set the tone for an energetic, rock-infused track. The lyrics center around the desire to rock out and let go of inhibitions. The singer is frustrated and impatient- they demand to rock and demand the attention of their audience. They use vulgar language to emphasize the point that they are serious about their desire to rock.
The lines "now I'm three inches taller than this little fucking mic, and it sucks" suggest that the singer is physically imposing, and perhaps feels constrained by this. However, the solution seems to be to rock out, and by doing so, the singer transcends their physical limitations. The repetition of "one, two, one, two, three, four" creates a sense of urgency and builds momentum towards the climax of the song.
Overall, the lyrics are a celebration of the liberating power of rock music. They suggest that by letting go of inhibitions and embracing the energy of the music, we can transcend our physical limitations and find a sense of freedom and release.
Line by Line Meaning
God damn I wanna rock!
Expressing a strong desire to perform or participate in a rock music performance or event with great energy and intensity.
Are you ready to rock, man?
Asking if the other person is prepared and enthusiastic about participating in rock music or attending a rock concert or performance.
Yeah!
Affirmative response indicating agreement or enthusiasm towards the idea of rocking out to music.
Hey, quit fucking around I wanna rock, okay?
Urging others to stop wasting time and get ready to participate in rock music performance, indicating one's seriousness and eagerness to start.
One, two, one two three!
Counting towards the start of the performance, signaling the beginning of the rock sequence or act.
Man, I am serious.
Asserting that the situation or request is significant and should be taken seriously, indicating one's sincerity and commitment to the activity.
I am not fucking around, now I'm three inches taller than this little fucking mic, and it sucks!
Emphasizing the importance of the activity, expressing frustration towards the current equipment or setup, and highlighting the need for a better setup for the performance.
I wanna rock! I'm not bullshitting you mother fuckers, lets go! One, two, one two three four!
Stressing that one is dedicated to performing or enjoying rock music, emphasizing the energetic and passionate involvement in the activity, and counting down to start the performance.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Apologizing for any mistake or misstep during the performance or showing remorse for having to interrupt the sequence.
Two, three, four!
Counting towards the resumption of the performance or sequence after a pause or interruption, indicating that the activity can continue.
One, two, three four!
Counting to start the next or final sequence of the performance or song, indicating the need to prepare for the final section of the performance.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SLEDGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind