Take Five: Tracks Illustrating Ben Folds’ Versatility

North Carolina-born pianist, singer and songwriter Ben Folds came on the national scene in the 1990s with his band Ben Folds Five (in fact a guitarless trio, not a quintet). His irreverent humor is combined with a serious streak, and sophisticated (yet pop-based) melodic values that have earned him critical praise, a devoted following and occasional hits. He’s currently touring the U.S. for a series of concerts in collaboration with symphony orchestras. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the release of his debut album (Ben Folds Five), here are – appropriately enough course – five songs that provide a hint of the expanse of his artistry.

“In Love” From Fear of Pop’s Volume 1 (1998)
Ben Folds has lent his talent to many projects by other artists. He’s worked with Amanda Palmer, “Weird Al” Yankovic and many others. Among his most unusual outside enterprises is the Fear of Pop project. On Fear of Pop’s 1998 album he was joined by actor William Shatner (of Star Trek fame) on this effective meeting of music and spoken word. Folds wrote the tune and co-produced the album.

“Army” from Ben Folds Five’s The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner (1999)
Part of Folds’ particular brand of genius is his penchant for writing songs that are on one level quite humorous, but at their core are deeply emotional and relatable. “Army” is such a song, charting a character’s life development through stages of optimism disillusionment. The song would become one of Folds’ most popular live numbers, and has been featured on several of his live albums and DVDs as well as during a guest spot on Prairie Home Companion.

“Rockin’ the Suburbs” from Ben Folds’ Rockin’ the Suburbs (2001)
Ben Folds Five broke up amicably after the release of The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner. Folds went on to a solo career. He released his solo debut, Rockin’ the Suburbs featuring the title track, a metal parody promoted with a superb and clever video that featured him on all instruments. Rockin’ the Suburbs had the misfortune of being released on September 11, 2001, a day when everyone had other matters on their minds.

“She Don’t Use Jelly” from Ben Folds Five’s The Complete Sessions at West 54th St. (2001)
Ben Folds is a prolific songwriter, but he’s also a masterful interpreter of the works of other artists. One of the most inventive covers he has ever performed is a reading of The Flaming Lips’ hit “She Don’t Use Jelly.” In Folds’ capable hands, the idiosyncratic song becomes something very, very different from the original: a lounge-flavored, salsa-infused ballad. This version is from a live PBS concert released on DVD and CD, and – in 2018 – on limited-edition vinyl. (Personal note: This writer penned that vinyl release’s liner notes.)

“But Wait, There’s More” from Ben Folds’ Live with the National Symphony Orchestra (2025)
In May 2017, Folds was named the first Artistic Director of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. He remained in that role for three years but resigned in February 2025, exactly one minute after Donald Trump packed the Kennedy Center’s board with his own supporters. On July 4 Folds released an album made (before his resignation) in collaboration with the Orchestra; “But Wait, There’s More” was the brilliant opening track.