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.
RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD
Ben Folds Five Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Cryings not for me
I'm never gonna stop the Rain by complaining
So I just did me some talking to the sun.
And I said I didn't like the way, he got things done
Sleeping on the job those
Falling on my head, they keep falling.
But there's one thing I know:
The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me.
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me.
Raindrops keep falling on my head
Just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed,
Nothing seems to fit.
Those raindrops are falling on my head,
They keep falling.
Yeah and I'm free
Nothings worrying me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me.
Raindrops keep falling on my head
That doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Cryings not for me
I'm never gonna stop the Rain by complaining
Because I'm free
Nothings worrying me
Yeah, nothing worrying me
Ben Folds Five's "Raindrops" is a hopeful and optimistic song with lyrics that invite us to contemplate our attitude towards difficulties and hardships as opposed to fighting against them. The first verse suggests that things are not always easy, and problems may come our way just like raindrops fall on our heads. But the singer reminds us that just because we face adversity doesn't necessarily indicate our emotional weakness or that we will shed tears soon. The chorus reinforces this idea by expressing that crying is not the answer to the problem, and the rain will not cease by complaining.
The second verse continues with the same spirit of resilience, but this time the singer takes his frustrations out on the sun, who he feels is not doing enough to stop the rain. He then follows it up with the positive statement that even though it's raining, he refuses to be defeated by the blues; rather, happiness will shortly step in to greet him. The final verse reinforces the idea that life is sometimes complicated, resembling the man whose feet are too large for his bed. The raindrops keep falling on his head, but he is still free, with no worries to hold him down.
Overall, "Raindrops" is a hopeful song that touches on themes of resilience, optimism, and gratitude. The lyrics invite us to see beyond the hardships we face and look for the good things in life that are always around us. Through these lyrics, Ben Folds Five has succeeded in crafting a song that gives hope to many who seek solace in times of trouble.
Line by Line Meaning
Raindrops keep falling on my head
Despite the rain falling on my head, it doesn't guarantee that I'll start crying.
That doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Just because raindrops keep falling on me, it doesn't imply that I'm going to get upset and cry.
Cryings not for me
I'm not the type to cry over raindrops falling on me.
I'm never gonna stop the Rain by complaining
My complaints won't stop the rain from falling on me.
So I just did me some talking to the sun.
I had a conversation with the sun, hoping that it would help stop the rain.
And I said I didn't like the way, he got things done
I told the sun that I wasn't pleased with the way it was managing things like the rain.
Sleeping on the job those
The sun was lazy or negligent with its job.
Raindrops are
Despite my efforts to get the sun to stop the rain, the raindrops keep falling on me.
But there's one thing I know:
Regardless of the rain falling on me, I know one thing to be true:
The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me.
I may feel blue or down, but it won't overcome or defeat me.
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me.
I know that soon enough, happiness will show up to make me feel better.
Just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed,
I feel like nothing in my life fits, much like a man whose feet are too big for his bed.
Nothing seems to fit.
I feel like nothing in my life fits properly.
Yeah and I'm free
Despite everything, I'm free and feel unburdened.
Nothings worrying me
I'm not worried about anything.
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me.
Similar to earlier, I know that soon enough, happiness will arrive to make me feel better.
Raindrops keep falling on my head
Despite everything going on in my life, raindrops keep falling on my head.
That doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Despite the rain, I am not visibly upset or emotional.
Cryings not for me
I am not the type to cry over raindrops or anything else in my life.
I'm never gonna stop the Rain by complaining
Complaints won't stop the rain from falling on me, and I won't try to stop it.
Because I'm free
I feel unburdened and free, despite the rain and everything else happening in my life.
Nothings worrying me
I'm not worried about anything and feel comfortable and content.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, HAL DAVID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
wtwrush
Ben’s voice is so effortlessly clear and pure, it perfectly fits the song (even if he gets those first and third verses mixed up lol)
Dorkus64
Rest in peace to Burt. Such a great songwriter, and this may be my favorite of his songs.
mstob1969
Ditto. Love both the B.J. Thomas and Ben Fold Five versions.
Chris Henson
Although I was alive when the original was released, this is the version I wanted to hear when the news of Burt's death hit me this morning.
Ethan Cooney
I love how much Burt is into this. It's a great cover! They take the song and make it their own. I love that they included the outro, it's amazing, and an often forgotten part of the song.
CHRIS. BCFC. KEEP RIGHT ON.
Love Ben Folds Five. Love the music of Burt Bacharach.
midtownjohn
This is the bomb. It still holds up in 2021 .
Scott Silver
RIP Mr. Bacharach, but great cover Ben Folds Five!
CHRIS. BCFC. KEEP RIGHT ON.
Two of my favourite composers. Burt Bacharach and Ben Folds.
Bgb Strm
BB great composer - BFF great band!! 💯🎵🎶