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
Penny on the Train Track
Ben Kweller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waitin' for my judgement day
Come on baby girl let me see those legs
Before I get flattened away
I wait
Yeah, I wait
For something good, for something great
Stoppin' in somebody's old home town
Gotta get that midnight meal
If you can't get behind your own life
Get behind the driving wheel
And go, just go
Find a place that you don't know
Ran into a friend just the other night
Got a badge, he's a local cop
Haven't seen that boy in over seven years
Since out of high school I dropped
I see, I see
All the things that I should be
Oh baby dance with me!
Even lucky man has a bad day
And pretty girl has a scar
After that train comes and takes me away
Pick up that guitar
And play, just play
Play that rock and roll for me
He's in the yard just washin' his car
Thinkin' 'bout his pretty wife
Makin' lemonade with the kitchen aid
Makin' him a perfect life
And it's grim, so dim
When you wish that you were just like him
I'm just a penny on the train track
Waitin' for my judgement day
Come on baby girl let me see those legs
Before I get flattened away
I wait, I wait
For something good, for something great
And I try, oh I try
I can't stop, I don't know why
The lyrics of Ben Kweller's "Penny on the Train Track" are a contemplation on life and the fleeting nature of time. The imagery of a penny on a train track waiting for its judgment day is used to signify how we are all waiting for our fate to catch up with us. The singer of the song is asking a girl to dance with him, hoping to catch a glimpse of her legs before he is "flattened away." The song suggests that we should all take advantage of the time we have and live life to the fullest.
Throughout the song, the singer reflects on his own life and the choices he has made. He talks about stopping in someone's hometown for a midnight meal, driving to a place he doesn't know, and seeing a friend who is now a local cop after seven years. These experiences make him think about all the things he could have been, and he wishes he could be just like his friend who has a perfect life with a pretty wife and a lemonade-making kitchen aide.
The song ends with the singer acknowledging that life has its ups and downs, and he can't help but keep trying despite the uncertainties. He urges us to "play that rock and roll" and enjoy life while we can.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just a penny on the train track
I feel small and insignificant, just waiting for something to happen.
Waitin' for my judgement day
I'm waiting for my fate to be decided, hoping it's a good one.
Come on baby girl let me see those legs
I want to enjoy life and see beautiful things before it's all over.
Before I get flattened away
I don't want to be forgotten or unremarkable.
I wait
I'm patient but anxious, waiting for opportunities.
Yeah, I wait
I know good things come to those who wait.
For something good, for something great
I hope for exciting and wonderful things to happen in my life.
Stoppin' in somebody's old home town
I'm exploring new places and finding adventure.
Gotta get that midnight meal
I enjoy indulging and treating myself to new experiences.
If you can't get behind your own life
If you don't like your current situation or direction, take control and make changes.
Get behind the driving wheel
Be in control of where your life takes you.
And go, just go
Don't be afraid to take risks and embrace the unknown.
Find a place that you don't know
Challenge yourself and explore things you've never experienced before.
Ran into a friend just the other night
Unexpected interactions can be a welcomed surprise.
Got a badge, he's a local cop
My friend has a responsible and meaningful job.
Haven't seen that boy in over seven years
It's been a long time since I've caught up with old friends.
Since out of high school I dropped
A lot has changed since we were last together, including myself.
I see, I see
I begin to think about where I am in life and where I'm going.
All the things that I should be
I reflect on my personal goals and what I hope to achieve.
Oh baby dance with me!
I want to celebrate life and enjoy the moments I have with others.
Even lucky man has a bad day
Nobody is immune to challenges and setbacks in life.
And pretty girl has a scar
Even the people who seem perfect have their own personal struggles.
After that train comes and takes me away
I don't know when my time will be up, so I want to make the most of it.
Pick up that guitar
Music is an important piece of my life and brings me joy.
And play, just play
Focus on the things you love and enjoy doing.
Play that rock and roll for me
I want to enjoy the things that bring happiness and excitement to my life.
He's in the yard just washin' his car
Others may seem content and satisfied, even in mundane tasks.
Thinkin' 'bout his pretty wife
Others can derive joy from different aspects of life.
Makin' lemonade with the kitchen aid
Simple tasks can bring inner peace and happiness.
Makin' him a perfect life
The perception of a perfect life is subjective and personal.
And it's grim, so dim
Comparing yourself to others can be discouraging and hurtful.
When you wish that you were just like him
Accepting yourself and finding contentment in your own life is important.
And I try, oh I try
I keep pushing myself and striving to improve.
I can't stop, I don't know why
I have a drive and passion that propels me forward.
I wait, I wait
I have patience and faith that things will work out in my favor.
For something good, for something great
I hold out hope for wonderful things to come my way.
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH
Written by: FREDDY GIGELE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Be YOUnique (Maryanne)
I love this song, and this is such a sweet video. Ben Kweller's grandmother had passed but the video will live on forever. In Kweller's song "Fight" he mentions his grandma too. The lyrics are "I'm like my grandma, short but I stand tall." She must have meant the world to him. Grandmas are THE BEST! 💓
groovyme1234
love this song,brings back memories :)
brian gibbs
Love this song!! It just makes me happy ☺️🙂
Ashley Davidson
Love this song and video!!! Ben and Heidis grandmother rules!! Her zest for fun in Life is simply AWESOME!!! LOVE IT.... makes for a good start for the day. 🙂
Sometimes we live no particular way but our own
I've been watching grandma dance since this video came out! She's awesome!
Abby Smith
Ill never forget my high-school romance with my childrens father and skipping school to get taco bell and watching this music video together about 10 years ago😂
walburg11
After the movie "Rutterless" where Ben played the role of a confident bass player, I have been listening to his talent. My favorite is "Falling" even though this video & song is excellent with his grandmother dancing. Austin Texas native.
Adam Bramwell
If you don’t watch all the way until the end, you’re missing the best part. And that’s saying a LOT because this video rules.
Edson
Gosto muito
john darmiento
love this drowns out my wife's humming