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.
Sports & Wine
Ben Folds Five Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Monday afternoon
Wednesday you'll be crawling
And you'll pray to be there soon
With sports and wine
Some men never grew up
Fortunate like you
What it takes to be a dude
That's Sports and Wine
The girls don't understand it
What you think is art
My oh my we're all impressed
How sensitive you are
Everybody's talkin' about you now
You know it's true
Always has been sports and wine for you
So you ask me how I think I know
Just what makes you tick
I know what I know ya know
I know you make me sick
Sports and wine
Girls don't understand it
Anything you say
I don't understand it either
Guess that makes me gay
Everybody's talking 'bout you now
You know it's true
The lyrics to Ben Folds Five's "Sports & Wine" appear to be a song about a man who is obsessed with sports and drinking wine. The song starts with the lines, "Destiny was calling, Monday afternoon. Wednesday, you'll be crawling, and you'll pray to be there soon. With sports and wine." The first line seems to suggest that the singer feels he is destined to spend his life with sports and wine. The second line could represent the fact that the singer feels like he is unable to stop himself from indulging in these things. The pronoun "you" is used, suggesting that the singer is speaking to someone who shares these interests.
The next verse goes on to suggest that the singer considers himself fortunate for being one of those men who never grew up and still indulges in sports and wine. He suggests that "Some men never found out what it takes to be a dude, that's Sports and Wine." He then implies that the women in his life don't understand his love for these things and are more impressed by his sensitivity. The chorus continues to emphasize the idea that everyone is talking about him because of his love for sports and wine.
The song is a commentary on a certain type of man who is both obsessed with sports and drinking. The singer is someone who seems to have never grown up and is stuck in a perpetual adolescence enjoying sports and wine. The song mocks the idea that someone can be defined by something as trivial as their interests or hobbies.
Line by Line Meaning
Destiny was calling
It was fated for you to be here
Monday afternoon
The day of the week
Wednesday you'll be crawling
Later in the week you will struggle
And you'll pray to be there soon
You will wish to escape your struggles
With sports and wine
Using entertainment and alcohol to cope
Some men never grew up
Some people never matured
Fortunate like you
Lucky that you were able to remain child-like
Some men never found out
Some people never learned
What it takes to be a dude
What is required to become a typical 'manly' man
That's Sports and Wine
It consists of sports and alcohol
The girls don't understand it
Females don't comprehend it
What you think is art
Your idea of art as a hobby
My oh my we're all impressed
People are amazed
How sensitive you are
Your emotional sensitivity
Everybody's talkin' about you now
Everyone is discussing you at the moment
You know it's true
You understand the situation
Always has been sports and wine for you
Sports and alcohol have always been your go-to
So you ask me how I think I know
You inquire as to how I possess this knowledge
Just what makes you tick
What actions and behaviors drive you
I know what I know ya know
I am confident in my understanding
I know you make me sick
Your habits are nauseating
Anything you say
Whatever you speak of
Guess that makes me gay
I suppose that implies I am homosexual
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jinny💚light
Destiny was calling
Monday afternoon
Wednesday you'll be crawling
And you'll pray to be there soon
With sports and wine
yeah ah ah sports and wine, no no
Some men never grew up
Fortunate like you
Some men never found out
What it takes to be a dude
That's Sports and Wine
yeah ah ah sports and wine, no no no
The girls don't understand it
What you think is art
My oh my we're all impressed
How sensitive you are
Everybody's talkin' about you now
You know it's true
'Cause always has been sports and wine for you
So you ask me how I think I know
Just what makes you tick
I know what I know y'know
I know you make me sick
Sports and wine
Sports and wine
Girls don't understand it
Anything you say
I don't understand it either
Guess that makes me gay
Everybody's talking 'bout you now
You know it's true..
Matt Horton
i really like the backing vocals in this song. it just fits so perfectly with the music without overpowering ben
Christian Earl Sabijon
Same! So fun to sing along to
Noah Jackson-King
2016 and this song is still amazing, it will never grow old
Johnny Rockets
+Grolsh Daggertooth Right!
Q * bert
Still great in 2017, too!
Charlie Jade
Imagine this song in Fortnite
Dan Cardosi
2018, still awesome.
Ezra C
@Dan Cardosi 2020 still good as ever.
taco neco
I still love this song in 2020!
Diana Kao
Still a wonderful song... <3