Songs of Love
Ben Folds and Neil Hannon Lyrics

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Pale, pubescent beasts
Roam through the streets
And coffee-shops
Their prey gather in herds
Of stiff knee-length skirts
And white ankle-socks
But while they search for a mate
My type hibernate

In bedrooms above
Composing their songs of love

Young, uniform minds
In uniform lines
And uniform ties
Run round with trousers on fire
And signs of desire
They cannot disguise
While I try to find words
As light as the birds
That circle above
To put in my songs of love

Fate doesn't hang on a wrong or right choice
Fortune depends on the tone of your voice
So sing while you have time
Let the sun shine down from above
And fill you with songs of love

Fate doesn't hang on a wrong or right choice
Fortune depends on the tone of your voice
So let's sing while we still can
While the sun hangs high up above

Wonderful songs of love

Beautiful songs of love

Overall Meaning

In this song, Ben Folds is contrasting the ways in which young people, including himself, approach love and relationships. In the first verse, he describes the "pubescent beasts" who roam the streets in search of love, specifically the girls who dress up in stiff knee-length skirts and white ankle-socks, while he prefers to hibernate in his bedroom above and write his "songs of love." He sees himself as separate from this group, not interested in the same things they are.

In the second verse, Folds contrasts himself with the "young, uniform minds" who are more interested in physical desire than love. He compares them to birds circling above, light and free, while he tries to find words just as light to put in his songs of love.

The chorus reinforces the idea that fate and fortune depend on how one carries themselves, the tone of their voice. He urges listeners to sing while they have time, while the sun shines down from above, filling them with songs of love.

Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and finding one's own way of approaching love and relationships. It encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and not be swayed by societal expectations or pressure.

Line by Line Meaning

Pale, pubescent beasts
Young and inexperienced individuals wandering the streets

Roam through the streets
Moving around aimlessly

And coffee-shops
And frequenting cafes

Their prey gather in herds
Their desired partners gather in groups

Of stiff knee-length skirts
Wearing formal clothing

And white ankle-socks
And sporting plain socks

But while they search for a mate
While they look for love interests

My type hibernate
I prefer to stay indoors

In bedrooms above
Upstairs in private

Composing their songs of love
Writing and creating music about love

Young, uniform minds
Uniformed and inexperienced minds