Howard taught Ben how to play the drums when he was just a seven-year-old. For the next year, the father and son would jam together almost every night after Howard got home from work. With Howard singing and playing guitar and Ben keeping the beat, the duo would play songs by The Beatles, The Hollies, Jimi Hendrix, and other artists of the 60s. Howard also has been a long-time friend of Bruce Springsteen associate Nils Lofgren, the two having gone to high school together.
When Ben turned eight, someone showed him how to play the chestnut "Heart And Soul" on the piano. The youngster immediately began to create his own songs using the same chords. By the time he was 9 he had a dozen original compositions under his belt and entered a songwriting contest sponsored by Billboard magazine. Kweller won honorable mention.
In 1993, Kweller became friends with another young local musician, drummer John Kent, and the two formed the band Radish with bassist Ryan Green. The trio played locally in and around Greenville, Texas and recorded two independent releases, ''Hello'' (1994) and ''Dizzy'' (1995), with Martin Baird at Verge Music Works recording studio in Dallas, Texas. Around the time of ''Dizzy's'' release, Ryan Green decided to leave the band and focus his attention on school. Lorin Hamilton filled in for a few months until Bryan Bradford AKA Bryan Blur joined on for most of the band's career. Ben sent a copy of ''Dizzy'' to Nils Lofgren. Nils was impressed with Radish and recommended them to Roger Greenawalt who was producing Lofgren's album at the time, ''Damaged Goods''. Greenawalt took Radish into a studio where they recorded a demo tape which was subsequently shopped around to record labels nationwide, After an unexpected bidding war, Radish eventually signed to Mercury to release the album Restraining Bolt.
Radish made appearances on ''The Weird Al Show'', ''Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and ''Late Show with David Letterman'', but despite the much-hyped signing, the band failed to strike big success. Radish earned a large cult following in the United Kingdom with their top 40 hit "Little Pink Stars". The band toured several times in Europe including opening slots for Faith No More and Main Stage at Reading Festival '97. Radish released two singles. In 1998 Radish became a quartet featuring Joe Butcher (Polyphonic Spree, UFOFU) on lead guitar and Debbie Williams on bass. Radish went to Muscle Shoals Studio in Alabama to record the follow-up to ''Restraining Bolt'', provisionally titled ''Discount Fireworks''. The band recorded with record producer Bryce Goggin (Pavement, The Lemonheads). While mixing ''Discount Fireworks'' in NYC, Kweller and Kent met bassist Josh Lattanzi who would become Radish's 5th and final bass player. As a result of Polygram's merger with Universal Music Group, the 18-song album was never released and Radish soon secured a release from their contract with Mercury Records.
At age 19, Ben Kweller moved to New York with his girlfriend Liz Smith, where he began his solo career. He played acoustic shows and self-released four EP's, comprising some of the unreleased Radish ''Discount Fireworks'' recordings and other songs recorded in his apartment on a laptop computer. It was one of these EPs, ''Freak Out, It's Ben Kweller'', that caught the attention of Evan Dando of The Lemonheads, and Dando invited Kweller out on tour with him, playing across America and Europe. Jeff Tweedy, Juliana Hatfield and Guster also began to notice Kweller and took him on tour with them
In 2001 Ben Kweller became ATO Records's first worldwide signing and released a 5-track EP entitled ''EP Phone Home''. In March 2002, ''Sha Sha'', Kweller's first solo studio Album was released. ''Sha Sha'' included the very radio-friendly and popular single "Wasted & Ready". The album featured John Kent on drums, Josh Lattanzi on bass, and showcased a wide variety of sound from Quirky Pop music to Folk to Punk. The album grew in popularity with a grassroots effort based on his website and a promotion group called teamBK, which promoted via word-of-mouth advertising. To support the release of the album and EP, he put together a live band, initially comprising Lattanzi on bass, Fred Eltringham on drums, and Mike Stroud on guitar and keyboards. Towards the end of the ''Sha Sha'' album cycle, the four-piece performed on PBS's Austin City Limits
In 2003, Kweller toured Australia with Ben Folds and Ben Lee as The Bens. The trio produced an eponymous four-song EP, with each member taking lead vocals on one song, and a final song in which they all contributed vocals. In an interview on October 14 2006 Ben hinted that The Bens may do another album. Later in 2003, Kweller provided lead vocals on the song "I Hope Tomorrow is Like Today" from Guster's album ''Keep It Together''. Kweller and Guster co-wrote the song after a late night jam at Gusters' Brooklyn studio. The song is prominently featured in the movie The Wedding Crashers.
''On My Way'' (2004), Kweller's second album, went in a new direction. The album, produced by Ethan Johns (Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon), was recorded 'live' - there were limited overdubs and no use of headphones. After the release of On My Way, Kweller embarked on more touring, playing to his largest audiences ever, including a US tour co-headlining with Death Cab for Cutie. By this point, the lineup of his live band had changed to include John Kent on drums and Jason Roberts on guitar and keyboards, after Mike Stroud left to concentrate on his own band Ratatat and Fred Eltringham left to play drums in The Wallflowers.
In 2006 he recorded his third album, ''Ben Kweller'' with record producer, Gil Norton. Unlike the previous studio albums, Kweller played all the instruments on this record himself. Kweller continued to tour to support his self-titled album, and expanded his band into a five piece, which grew to include Dan Horne on bass, Mark Stepro on drums, Jay Barclay on guitar and organ, and Jason Roberts on lead guitar. Kweller continued to play guitar and piano on this tour, but it also gave him the opportunity to just sing on certain songs.
His tie-in "Trio on the Train Track Tour" included a new live band comprising Chris Morrissey on bass and Mark Stepro on drums. During the Australian leg of the tour, the band was composed of Jay Barclay on guitar, Dan Horne on bass and Mark Stepro continuing on drums.
As part of his 2006 tour, Kweller played the Austin City Limits Music Festival, where he was plagued by a severe nosebleed for the entirety of his set. After covering his guitar in blood, he attempted to stop the flow by inserting a travel-size tampon thrown onto the stage by a fan, which expanded painfully during a performance of "This Is War." After attempting to play "Falling" at the piano, which also became covered in blood, Kweller was forced to end the set early.
In the Spring of 2007, Kweller co-headlined with his label-mates Gomez. He continued through the summer with his own string of headlining dates which eventually ended at another appearance at ACL fest. This time no bloody nose, however, commemorative T-shirts were sold at the merch booth with fake blood stains that said "ACL 2007: The return of Ben Kweller".
Immediately following his performance at ACL, Kweller began recording his fourth full-length LP, ''Changing Horses'' in Austin, Texas on September 21, 2007. The album features the trio on the train tracks, and Pedal Steel/Dobro player Kitt Kitterman. In 2008, Kweller re-signed with ATO Records who released ''Changing Horses'' in early 2009.
Kweller's fifth studio album, entitled "Go Fly A Kite," was his first release produced solely by his own record label, The Noise Company. In earlier interviews, Kweller had stated that it would be released as early as March or April of 2011. However, after that the manager of The Noise Company stated that the album was now set to come out either late January or early February of 2012. Kweller confirmed on stage at Stubbs in Austin on 4/16/11 that the delay in release is a result of Kweller's parting ways with his former record label, ATO Records, and his desire to release the recording independently. Kweller had also stated the album would be very electric and energetic while dealing with some darker topics. It will be accompanied by a comprehensive world tour and several media appearances. The album was released in February of 2012.
In 2013 Kweller announced via facebook that he would be doing a "split" record with Waylon Jennings.
More info here: http://www.daytrotter.com/#!/content/nrn/vinyl-kweller-jennings.htm
Family Tree
Ben Kweller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Care about the moonlight
And holding you tight
And asking my questions
Everyone loves a situation
Long walks on the beach
Lately I'm finding
I am the book and you are the binding
I guess they'll read everything about you
Though the press might shoot me down I'm still true
I sell my book for free
That's what you do to me
Oh, you are my family tree
Be good to me
Take care of me
Bop bop
There's hotels in the sea
Trash in the sky
The net-dustry's growing
Stick to love songs kid, that's all you're knowing
They push you away
Or tie you up
It don't really matter
But if your head is up you won't get much sadder
But who am I to preach a word or two
When I can't lift my own head without you?
If my mental state kept you from coming around
I hope the world would shoot me down for losing you
A broken branch I'd be if you weren't grown to me
Oh, you are my family tree
Be good to me
Be good to me
Be good to me
Take care of me
Bop bop
The opening lines of the song, "Care about the moonlight, and holding you tight, and asking my questions, everyone loves a situation," convey a mood where the singer is happy and content in his relationship. The feeling of enjoying the little things like walks on the beach and being concerned about the world's problems like hotels in the sea and trash in the sky resonates with his partner. He takes pride in the fact that they are a family tree, and she has helped him grow and be better. The next verse translates how the world is changing and how people are now just focused on making money. The singer feels that today's artists don't speak their hearts and all they want is commercial success.
The chorus "Oh, you are my family tree, Be good to me, Take care of me" is a declaration of his love and how much he values his relationship. It's a reminder that he needs her, and she completes him in every way possible. The final verse talks about how he would lose his mind without her and how important she is to him. "A broken branch I'd be if you weren't grown to me" is a metaphor for the fact that he would be incomplete without her. In conclusion, the song is about a man who has found someone who is everything he ever wanted and how he cherishes every moment with her.
Line by Line Meaning
Bop bop
A repeated sound effect used as a transition
Care about the moonlight
I have an appreciation for nature's beauty
And holding you tight
I want to be physically close to you
And asking my questions
I am curious about your thoughts and opinions
Everyone loves a situation
People enjoy being in certain circumstances
Long walks on the beach
I enjoy romantic experiences
The press will impeach
The media is harsh and critical
Lately I'm finding
I am realizing something new
I am the book and you are the binding
You hold me together and give me purpose
I guess they'll read everything about you
People are interested in your life
Though the press might shoot me down I'm still true
Despite criticism, my feelings remain the same
I sell my book for free
I give freely of myself to you
That's what you do to me
You inspire me to be generous and open
Oh, you are my family tree
You are the foundation of my life
Be good to me
Please treat me well
Take care of me
Please look after me
There's hotels in the sea
The world is constantly changing
Trash in the sky
Environmental pollutants are harming the planet
The net-dustry's growing
The internet industry is expanding rapidly
Stick to love songs kid, that's all you're knowing
I should focus on what I understand, like love
They push you away
Some people reject or distance themselves from you
Or tie you up
Others try to control or restrict you
It don't really matter
These negative actions are insignificant
But if your head is up you won't get much sadder
Maintaining a positive attitude can lessen the impact of negativity
But who am I to preach a word or two
I don't have the authority to give advice
When I can't lift my own head without you?
I am dependent on you for emotional support
If my mental state kept you from coming around
If my mood influenced our relationship negatively
I hope the world would shoot me down for losing you
I would be devastated without you in my life
A broken branch I'd be if you weren't grown to me
I would feel incomplete without you
Be good to me
Please treat me kindly
Be good to me
Please take care of me
Be good to me
Please be loving towards me
Bop bop
A repeated sound effect used as a transition
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BENJAMIN KWELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andy Trullinger
Bop bop
Care about the moonlight
And holding you tight
And asking my questions
Everyone loves a situation
Long walks on the beach
The press will impeach
Lately I'm finding
I am the book and you are the binding
I guess they'll read everything about you
Though the press might shoot me down I'm still true
I sell my book for free
That's what you do to me
Oh, you are my family tree
Be good to me
Take care of me
Bop bop
There's hotels in the sea
Trash in the sky
The net-dustry's growing
Stick to love songs kid, that's all you're knowing
They push you away
Or tie you up
It don't really matter
But if your head is up you won't get much sadder
But who am I to preach a word or two
When I can't lift my own head without you?
If my mental state kept you from coming around
I hope the world would shoot me down for losing you
A broken branch I'd be if you weren't grown to me
Oh, you are my family tree
Be good to me
Be good to me
Be good to me
Take care of me
Bop bop
Crystal Caleb-Moore
God I love this - brings me back to a time so far from where I am - miss those days <3
Christian Martinez
Me too
Depressed Potato
Yepp
Lala
This song popped up in my head out of nowhere. I think the last time I listened to it was at least 15 years ago.
doorsilver
One of the best album of all time
Anna ☕🐛
One of the most nostalgic songs of my life ❤❤❤
pistolpimp36
GOD, I LOVE THIS SONG!
Andy Trullinger
Bop bop
Care about the moonlight
And holding you tight
And asking my questions
Everyone loves a situation
Long walks on the beach
The press will impeach
Lately I'm finding
I am the book and you are the binding
I guess they'll read everything about you
Though the press might shoot me down I'm still true
I sell my book for free
That's what you do to me
Oh, you are my family tree
Be good to me
Take care of me
Bop bop
There's hotels in the sea
Trash in the sky
The net-dustry's growing
Stick to love songs kid, that's all you're knowing
They push you away
Or tie you up
It don't really matter
But if your head is up you won't get much sadder
But who am I to preach a word or two
When I can't lift my own head without you?
If my mental state kept you from coming around
I hope the world would shoot me down for losing you
A broken branch I'd be if you weren't grown to me
Oh, you are my family tree
Be good to me
Be good to me
Be good to me
Take care of me
Bop bop
Anita
i love this song
Schrott IRR
great song