A couple weeks ago one of my students started talking with me about Ben Folds. I’m pretty sure we had discussed him before as our music leader last year was a big fan. At various times Ben’s music has held the top place in my listening catalog. When I first heard his songs, I knew something different was happening. I don’t use the word “raw” much because I sound so lame when I do, but that’s one of the best words I can use to describe his music for me. The raw feeling is especially present in concert. As he bashes the piano - bordering sometimes on abuse - and transforms the crowd into a horn section, you feel that he can evoke creativity on a level unlike what you normally experience. Even for a deeply cynical person like me, his music and shows are simply moving.
It has also been interesting to observe his musical journey. I first knew of his music as “Ben Folds Five,” even though now I can’t actually remember if there were four other musicians accompanying him. Then he went solo in the way of Paul McCartney (as legend has it) playing all the instruments himself. Lately he has been exploring new dimensions of a capella music. Admittedly, I haven’t consumed as much of his new music, but that’s on me. I think now that I am feeling a kind of renaissance for his stuff, maybe I should check more out. Now for the separating of sheep and goats.
“Brick” - I can’t even come close to saying I hate this song, because that would be pretty absurd, even for me. I will say I’m not a huge fan. I appreciate it on lots of levels, especially the visceral story (which I believe is true). I’m sure there are not too many other songs about getting an abortion and the aftereffects. At the moment, I can’t think of any. As such “Brick” represents something rather groundbreaking. There are things we don’t talk about. It follows then that we would certainly not sing about such things. And yet I think that’s the heart of the song - the feeling someone has about something they don’t think they can talk about and must hide completely. And perhaps the most healing thing that can happen comes through art and music. So yes, on those levels, I actually love the song. But I think it was so overplayed (not Ben’s fault) I started changing the station. I will also admit the snobbery of feeling like it’s the only or favorite song for people who don’t know much of his music. And yes, I judge them - quite harshly - and the song takes some of that. Musically it is pretty basic, and that’s fine. I don’t have to have complex, but it almost feels like more of a formula to me, and once I heard more of what he can do, it started sinking on my list.
“Still Fighting It” - Yeah, I absolutely love this song. I feel like it is drastically overlooked. I realize it is interesting that I am counterbalancing a song that shares about an abortion with a song about having a child. That could certainly be someone’s agenda, but it isn’t mine. I also don’t think I love this song anymore as someone on the way to being a dad - but it is possible that I love it more today. The truth is that as soon as I heard “I am a bird wearing a brown polyester shirt” I was hooked. Also I have had my share of roast beef combos in my life, so I felt the song was completely for me. The song feels like a journey, both the music and the lyrics. Again, it shares a kind of raw truth: It is hard and it does suck (in some ways) to grow up. And in some ways I think we are all always fighting it - certainly some more than others. But who among us wouldn’t want to return to a mandated nap time if we could?
