Ben Folds
Artist profile

Ben Folds

Ben Folds formed his band Ben Folds Five in 1994 with bassist Robert Sledge and drummer Darren Jessee. Their self-titled debut came out in 1995, followed by...

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Editor's note

Ben Folds, the piano-rock storyteller

From Ben Folds Five to solo work, his songs sketch characters with a sharp, melodic touch.

For a quick sense of his style, try 'Narcolepsy' or 'Fred Jones Pt. 2'. They're both good examples of how he builds a scene around the piano.

He writes songs that feel like short stories set to piano. Tracks like 'Fred Jones Pt. 2' capture quiet, specific lives with a mix of humor and melancholy. That knack for character-driven detail has kept his work distinct across albums and collaborations.

He started with Ben Folds Five in the mid-90s, putting out albums like 'Whatever and Ever Amen'. After the band split, he kept recording solo and writing for film, later blending piano rock with orchestral pieces on records like 'So There'.

edit_note Ethan Walker · LyroVerse team · Apr 20
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LyroVerse editor's notes are short interpretation guides, not final verdicts. If something needs a correction, visit About or Contact.

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Background notes

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Ben Folds formed his band Ben Folds Five in 1994 with bassist Robert Sledge and drummer Darren Jessee. Their self-titled debut came out in 1995, followed by albums like "Whatever and Ever Amen" in 1997 and "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner" in 1999. The band broke up in 2002, though they reunited briefly in 2011 for a tour and a compilation album.

After the split, Folds kept working as a solo artist. He put out records like "Songs for Silverman" and "Way to Normal," and his songs include tracks like "Fred Jones Pt. 2" and "Carrying Cathy." He's also written music for film and television, and collaborated with other musicians.

His later work includes the 2015 album "So There" and a piano concerto released in 2019. Folds has a catalog that mixes piano-driven rock with detailed storytelling, without sticking to one genre.

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Where should I start with Ben Folds on LyroVerse?

The Start here section opens with Saskia Hamilton, Claire's Ninth, and Doctor My Eyes so you can move through the artist's stronger lyric pages first.

How many lyric pages are live for Ben Folds?

LyroVerse currently has 117 visible lyric pages for Ben Folds.

Does Ben Folds have photos on LyroVerse?

Yes. There are 4 photos available, and the preview gallery on this page links to the full photos section.

Does LyroVerse have an editor's note for Ben Folds?

Yes. The editor's note on this page is a short LyroVerse team guide, not a final verdict on the artist.

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