Jump to content

Ben Folds Five: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
ce, simplify, main instruments only
Past tense required
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
(34 intermediate revisions by 17 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American alternative rock band}}{{For|this group's self-titled album|Ben Folds Five (album)}}
{{Short description|American alternative rock band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}{{For|this group's self-titled album|Ben Folds Five (album)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Ben Folds Five
| name = Ben Folds Five
| image = Benfoldsfivereunionlive.jpg
| image = Benfoldsfivereunionlive.jpg
| caption = Ben Folds Five at their reunion concert on September 18, 2008 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
| caption = Ben Folds Five at their reunion concert on September 18, 2008 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
| image_size =
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| landscape = yes
| alias =
| alias =
| origin = [[Chapel Hill, North Carolina]], U.S.
| origin = [[Chapel Hill, North Carolina]], U.S.
| genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[power pop]]
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Alternative rock]]
* [[power pop]]
}}
| years_active = 1993–2000, 2008, 2011–2013 (hiatus)
| years_active = {{flatlist|
| label = Passenger, [[Caroline Records (U.S.)|Caroline]], [[550 Music|550]]
* 1993–2000
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
* 2008
* 2011–2013
* 2023
}}
| label = {{flatlist|
* Passenger
* [[Caroline Records (U.S.)|Caroline]]
* [[Virgin Records|Virgin]]
* [[550 Music|550]]
* [[Epic Records|Epic]]
* [[Sony Music|Sony]]
* Imaveepee
}}
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
* [[Fear of Pop]]
* [[Fear of Pop]]
* [[Hotel Lights]]
* [[Hotel Lights]]
Line 18: Line 35:
* [[Fleming and John]]
* [[Fleming and John]]
}}
}}
| past_members = * [[Ben Folds]]
| past_members = * [[Ben Folds]]
* [[Robert Sledge]]
* [[Robert Sledge]]
* [[Darren Jessee]]
* [[Darren Jessee]]
}}
}}
[[File:Ben Folds, Knoxville, 1.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Ben Folds]] performing, [[Knoxville, Tennessee]], 2006]]
[[File:Ben Folds, Knoxville, 1.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Ben Folds]] performing, [[Knoxville, Tennessee]], 2006]]
'''Ben Folds Five''' is an American [[alternative rock]] band formed in 1993 in [[Chapel Hill, North Carolina]]. The group comprises [[Ben Folds]] (lead vocals, piano), [[Robert Sledge]] ([[bass guitar]], backing vocals) and [[Darren Jessee]] (drums, backing vocals). The group achieved success in the [[alternative pop|alternative]], [[indie music|indie]] and [[pop music]] scenes. Their single "[[Brick (song)|Brick]]" from the second album, ''[[Whatever and Ever Amen]]'' (1997), gained airplay on many mainstream radio stations.
'''Ben Folds Five''' was an American [[alternative rock]] trio formed in 1993 in [[Chapel Hill, North Carolina]]. The group comprised [[Ben Folds]] (lead vocals, piano), [[Robert Sledge]] ([[bass guitar]], backing vocals) and [[Darren Jessee]] (drums, backing vocals). The group achieved success in the [[alternative pop|alternative]], [[indie music|indie]] and [[pop music]] scenes. Their single "[[Brick (song)|Brick]]" from the second album, ''[[Whatever and Ever Amen]]'' (1997), gained airplay on many mainstream radio stations.


During their first seven years, the band released three studio records, a compilation of [[B-side]]s and outtakes, and eight singles. They also contributed to a number of soundtracks and compilations. Ben Folds Five disbanded in October 2000. They reunited in 2011, and released their fourth album, ''[[The Sound of the Life of the Mind]]'', in 2012.
During their first seven years, the band released three studio records, a compilation of [[B-side]]s and outtakes, and eight singles. They also contributed to a number of soundtracks and compilations. Ben Folds Five disbanded in October 2000, but reunited in 2011, and released their fourth album, ''[[The Sound of the Life of the Mind]]'', in 2012, before disbanding again in 2013.


==History==
==History==
===1993–2000===
===1993–2000===
Ben Folds Five was formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill by Ben Folds. They were a trio in spite of their name, and the primary motivation behind the name, apart from the band's well-known use of humor, was simple preference, according to Ben: "I think it sounds better than Ben Folds Three."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dropd.com/issue/46/BenFoldsFive/ |title=Waist Deep in Pianos and Buses |access-date=September 2, 2006 |last=Hofmann |first=Pieter |date=March 10, 1997 |publisher=Drop-D Magazine }}</ref> Folds once described their music as "punk rock for sissies", a reaction to the angst prevalent in '90s rock.<ref>{{cite news|last = Thomas |first = Sarah |title = Ben Folds with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra |newspaper = Sydney Morning Herald |date = 2006-08-25 |url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/gig-reviews/ben-folds-with-the-sydney-symphony/2006/08/25/1156012707758.html |access-date = 2006-09-23 }}</ref>
Ben Folds Five was formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill by Ben Folds. They were a trio in spite of their name, and the primary motivation behind the name, apart from the band's well-known use of humor, was simple preference, according to Ben: "I think it sounds better than Ben Folds Three."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dropd.com/issue/46/BenFoldsFive/ |title=Waist Deep in Pianos and Buses |access-date=September 2, 2006 |last=Hofmann |first=Pieter |date=March 10, 1997 |publisher=Drop-D Magazine }}</ref> Folds once described their music as "punk rock for sissies," a reaction to the angst prevalent in '90s rock.<ref>{{cite news|last = Thomas |first = Sarah |title = Ben Folds with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra |newspaper = Sydney Morning Herald |date = 2006-08-25 |url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/gig-reviews/ben-folds-with-the-sydney-symphony/2006/08/25/1156012707758.html |access-date = 2006-09-23 }}</ref>


Their first radio single was "Underground" from their [[Ben Folds Five (album)|self-titled debut album]], released in 1995 on Caroline Records. The band's biggest success was the single "[[Brick (song)|Brick]]" from their second album, ''[[Whatever and Ever Amen]],'' released in 1997. It was followed by the more somber and jazz-based 1999 album, ''[[The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner]]''. The group contributed an outtake from the ''Reinhold Messner'' sessions, titled "Leather Jacket", to the 1999 benefit album, ''[[No Boundaries: A Benefit for the Kosovar Refugees]]''.
Their first radio single was "Underground" from their [[Ben Folds Five (album)|self-titled debut album]], released in 1995 on Caroline Records. The band's biggest success was the single "[[Brick (song)|Brick]]" from their second album, ''[[Whatever and Ever Amen]],'' released in 1997. It was followed by the more somber and jazz-based 1999 album, ''[[The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner]]''. The group contributed an outtake from the ''Reinhold Messner'' sessions, titled "Leather Jacket", to the 1999 benefit album, ''[[No Boundaries: A Benefit for the Kosovar Refugees]]''.
Line 35: Line 52:
The band's final released recording was a cover of [[Steely Dan]]'s "Barrytown" for the ''[[Me, Myself & Irene]]'' soundtrack. The band had begun work on a fourth studio album, but following the worldwide tour in support of ''The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner'', the band "amicably" broke up in October 2000. Tracks from the sessions later emerged in solo projects.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Music/Ben-with-the-breeze/2005/03/31/1111862476057.html|title=Ben with the Breeze|access-date=November 27, 2006|publisher=The Breeze | location=Melbourne | date=April 1, 2005}}</ref>
The band's final released recording was a cover of [[Steely Dan]]'s "Barrytown" for the ''[[Me, Myself & Irene]]'' soundtrack. The band had begun work on a fourth studio album, but following the worldwide tour in support of ''The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner'', the band "amicably" broke up in October 2000. Tracks from the sessions later emerged in solo projects.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Music/Ben-with-the-breeze/2005/03/31/1111862476057.html|title=Ben with the Breeze|access-date=November 27, 2006|publisher=The Breeze | location=Melbourne | date=April 1, 2005}}</ref>


===After the break-up===
===After the break-up (2001–2011)===
Folds went on to pursue a successful solo career, releasing ''[[Rockin' the Suburbs]]'' in 2001, ''[[Songs for Silverman]]'' in 2005, ''[[Way to Normal]]'' in 2008, ''[[Lonely Avenue (album)|Lonely Avenue]]'' in collaboration with novelist [[Nick Hornby]] in 2010, and ''[[So There (Ben Folds album)|So There]]'' in collaboration with the chamber group yMusic in 2015. He produced and arranged actor [[William Shatner]]'s second album, ''[[Has Been]]'', as well as co-wrote the majority of the songs with Shatner. Folds also contributed songs to the soundtracks for the animated movies ''[[Hoodwinked!]]'' and ''[[Over the Hedge (film)|Over the Hedge]]''.
Folds went on to pursue a successful solo career, releasing his debut album ''[[Rockin' the Suburbs]]'' in 2001, followed ''[[Songs for Silverman]]'' in 2005, ''[[Way to Normal]]'' in 2008, and ''[[Lonely Avenue (album)|Lonely Avenue]]'' in collaboration with novelist [[Nick Hornby]] in 2010. He produced and arranged actor [[William Shatner]]'s second album ''[[Has Been]]'', co-writing the majority of the songs with Shatner. Folds also contributed songs to the soundtracks for the animated movies ''[[Hoodwinked!]]'' and ''[[Over the Hedge (film)|Over the Hedge]]'', as well as forming the one-off side project [[The Bens]] (with [[Ben Lee]] and [[Ben Kweller]]) in 2003.


[[Darren Jessee]] formed the acclaimed indie band [[Hotel Lights]], with his songs featured in television and film. Jessee released five studio albums for [[Bar/None Records]] including ''[[Hotel Lights (album)|Hotel Lights]]'' in 2006, ''[[Firecracker People]]'' in 2008, ''Girl Graffiti'' in 2011, ''Get Your Hand in My Hand'' in 2016, and his first solo album, ''The Jane, Room 217'' in 2018.
Jessee formed the indie band [[Hotel Lights]] in 2004, with his songs featured in television and film. Jessee released three studio albums for [[Bar/None Records]] in this time – including ''[[Hotel Lights (album)|Hotel Lights]]'' in 2006, ''[[Firecracker People]]'' in 2008, and ''Girl Graffiti'' in 2011.


Robert Sledge played with International Orange until the group disbanded in 2005. He is currently the bass player in the three-piece Chapel Hill, NC band Surrender Human with Matt McMichaels from the [[Mayflies USA]].
Sledge played with International Orange until the group disbanded in 2005. He later became the bass player in the three-piece Chapel Hill band Surrender Human, with Matt McMichaels from the [[Mayflies USA]].


===2008 reunion===
===Reunions (2008, 2011–2013, 2023)===
Ben Folds Five made a one-off concert appearance in September 2008 at the UNC Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill as part of the [[MySpace]] "Front to Back" series, in which artists play an entire album live. The band played its then-final album, ''[[The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner]]'', and were briefly joined on stage by Ben's father, Dean Folds, who read a transcript of his voice mail message that is used in the album song "Your Most Valuable Possession", encoring with some of the songs from their first two albums''.<ref>[http://www.newsobserver.com/lifestyles/story/1224414.html "Ben Folds Five delights in reunion"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922031139/http://www.newsobserver.com/lifestyles/story/1224414.html |date=September 22, 2008 }}</ref>
Ben Folds Five made a one-off concert appearance in September 2008 at the UNC Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill as part of the [[MySpace]] "Front to Back" series, in which artists play an entire album live. The band played its then-final album, ''[[The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner]]'', and were briefly joined on stage by Ben's father, Dean Folds, who read a transcript of his voice mail message that is used in the album song "Your Most Valuable Possession", encoring with some of the songs from their first two albums''.<ref>[http://www.newsobserver.com/lifestyles/story/1224414.html "Ben Folds Five delights in reunion"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922031139/http://www.newsobserver.com/lifestyles/story/1224414.html |date=September 22, 2008 }}</ref>


In 2011, Ben Folds Five reunited to record three tracks for Ben Folds' ''[[The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective]]''. They made their first live appearance in four years as one of the headliners of the 2012 [[Mountain Jam (festival)|Mountain Jam]] festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benfolds.com/news/catch-ben-folds-fives-first-reunion-performance-tomorrow |title=Catch Ben Folds Five's First Reunion Performance Tomorrow! &#124; The Official Ben Folds Site |publisher=Benfolds.com |date=June 1, 2012 |access-date=September 18, 2012}}</ref> They made further appearances at that year's 2012 [[Bonnaroo]] and [[Summerfest]] festivals.
===2011–2013: ''The Sound of the Life of the Mind'', ''Live'' and hiatus===
In 2011, Ben Folds Five reunited to record three tracks for Ben Folds' ''[[The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective]]''. Sarah Rodman of the ''Boston Globe'' also reported that Ben Folds Five would be reconvened in December 2011 to record a new album.


The band's fourth studio album, ''[[The Sound of the Life of the Mind]]'' was released in September 2012, supported by the single ''Do It Anyway'', with a video featuring [[Anna Kendrick]], [[Rob Corddry]], and the cast of ''[[Fraggle Rock]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nerdist.com/2012/09/exclusive-ben-folds-five-and-the-fraggles-sing-do-it-anyway/ |title=EXCLUSIVE!: Ben Folds Five and the Fraggles Sing "Do It Anyway" |access-date=September 17, 2012 |last=Folds |first=Ben |date=September 17, 2012 |publisher=Nerdist |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920071255/http://www.nerdist.com/2012/09/exclusive-ben-folds-five-and-the-fraggles-sing-do-it-anyway/ |archive-date=September 20, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and a tour of the US, the UK, Australia and Ireland.
For the 2012 [[Mountain Jam (festival)|Mountain Jam]] festival, Ben Folds Five was announced as one of the main headliners. It was at Mountain Jam where Ben Folds Five reunited for their first live performance together in years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benfolds.com/news/catch-ben-folds-fives-first-reunion-performance-tomorrow |title=Catch Ben Folds Five's First Reunion Performance Tomorrow! &#124; The Official Ben Folds Site |publisher=Benfolds.com |date=June 1, 2012 |access-date=September 18, 2012}}</ref> They were also announced in the 2012 [[Bonnaroo]] and [[Summerfest]] lineups. The band announced an August release of their new album, followed by a full American tour in September and October. They then travelled to Ireland and the UK for a tour in November and December 2012. These dates eventually formed The Sound of the Life of the Mind Tour.


In June 2013, the trio released their first live album, titled ''[[Live (Ben Folds Five album)|Live]]''.<ref>[http://www.benfolds.com/news/ben-folds-five-first-official-live-album-be-released-june-4 Ben Folds Five First Official Live Album To Be Released June 4 | The Official Ben Folds Site], 2013-04-18. Retrieved 2013-06-10.</ref> During that year Ben Folds Five toured with the [[Barenaked Ladies]] and [[Guster]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benfolds.com/events |title=Ben Folds Tour |publisher=Benfolds.com |access-date=June 29, 2014}}</ref> before entering a hiatus that ultimately became permanent. Folds resumed his solo career, releasing the [[yMusic]] collaboration ''[[So There]]'' in 2015<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kivel |first1=Adam |title=Album Review: Ben Folds and yMusic – So There |url=https://consequence.net/2015/09/album-review-ben-folds-and-ymusic-so-there/ |website=Consequence |date=10 September 2015 |access-date=15 February 2023}}</ref> and continuing to tour extensively. Jessee, meanwhile, released a new album with Hotel Lights in 2016, entitled ''Get Your Hand in My Hand'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://innocentwords.com/hotel-lights-get-your-hand-in-my-hand-bard-none/|title=Hotel Lights: Get Your Hand in My Hand (Bar None)|website=Innocent Words|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-12}}</ref> before releasing two solo albums: 2018's ''The Jane, Room 217''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ham |first1=Robert |title=Darren Jessee: The Jane, Room 217 Review |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/darren-jessee/darren-jessee-the-jane-room-217-review/ |website=Paste Magazine |publisher=Paste Media Group |access-date=15 February 2023}}</ref> and 2020's ''Remover''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mosk |first1=Mitch |title=SWOON, DEEP, & REAL: DARREN JESSEE'S 'REMOVER' IS A TENDER, QUIET TEMPEST |url=https://atwoodmagazine.com/remover-darren-jessee-album-premiere-interview-feature/ |website=Atwood Magazine |date=13 October 2020 |access-date=15 February 2023}}</ref>
On May 7, 2012, Ben Folds Five launched an interactive pre-sale campaign for the release of their new album on [[PledgeMusic]]. The campaign shot to 200% in its first week of being live. Folds has said that they have enough material for at least two more records.<ref name="thesynthesizersympathizer">{{cite web|url=http://thesynthesizersympathizer.blogspot.com/2012/05/ben-folds-audio-interview-new-ben-folds.html |title=Ben Folds Audio Interview – New Ben Folds Five Record |access-date=June 1, 2012 |last=Folds |first=Ben |date=May 15, 2012 |publisher=Blogger }}</ref>


[[Caleb Southern]] – the producer of the band's first three albums and considered the "fourth member" of the band by Folds – died on July 6, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brodsky |first1=Rachel |title=Ben Folds Five & Archers Of Loaf Producer Caleb Southern Dead At 53 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2230374/ben-folds-five-archers-of-loaf-producer-caleb-southern-dead-at-53/news/ |website=Stereogum |publisher=Stereogum Media |access-date=19 July 2023}}</ref> The band reunited for a concert in tribute to Southern on August 28, 2023, at the Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}<ref>[https://event.etix.com/ticket/online/performanceSale.do?performance_id=5824318&method=restoreToken Cat's Cradle concert ticket listing] Retrieved January 18, 2024</ref>
During a June 28, 2012, Ben Folds Five performance at Summerfest, Folds announced the album had been completed.

On September 17, 2012, ''[[Nerdist YouTube Channel|Nerdist]]'' posted the video for "Do It Anyway", the first single off the album ''[[The Sound of the Life of the Mind]]'', featuring [[Anna Kendrick]], [[Rob Corddry]], [[Chris Hardwick]] and the cast of ''[[Fraggle Rock]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nerdist.com/2012/09/exclusive-ben-folds-five-and-the-fraggles-sing-do-it-anyway/ |title=EXCLUSIVE!: Ben Folds Five and the Fraggles Sing "Do It Anyway" |access-date=September 17, 2012 |last=Folds |first=Ben |date=September 17, 2012 |publisher=Nerdist |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920071255/http://www.nerdist.com/2012/09/exclusive-ben-folds-five-and-the-fraggles-sing-do-it-anyway/ |archive-date=September 20, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The day afterward, ''The Sound of the Life of the Mind'' was released.

On June 4, 2013, the trio released their first live album, titled ''[[Live (Ben Folds Five album)|Live]]''.<ref>[http://www.benfolds.com/news/ben-folds-five-first-official-live-album-be-released-june-4 Ben Folds Five First Official Live Album To Be Released June 4 | The Official Ben Folds Site], 2013-04-18. Retrieved 2013-06-10.</ref>
During the summer of 2013, Ben Folds Five toured with the [[Barenaked Ladies]] and [[Guster]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benfolds.com/events |title=Ben Folds Tour |publisher=Benfolds.com |access-date=June 29, 2014}}</ref> Following the tour, Ben Folds Five entered a hiatus. Folds has since returned to his solo work, releasing the album ''[[So There (Ben Folds album)|So There]]'' with [[yMusic]] in 2015. [[Darren Jessee]] toured as part of [[Sharon Van Etten]]'s band in 2014 and 2015. In 2016 he returned to [[Hotel Lights]], releasing the album ''Get Your Hand in My Hand''. Later that year he joined [[Hiss Golden Messenger]]. In 2018 Jessee released his first solo album ''The Jane, Room 217''. Sledge has focused on teaching music in Chapel Hill, as well as playing in the band Surrender Human.


==Discography==
==Discography==
{{Infobox artist discography
{{Infobox artist discography
|Artist = Ben Folds Five
| Artist = Ben Folds Five
|Image =
| Image =
|Caption =
| Caption =
|Studio = 4
| Studio = 4
|EP =
| EP =
|Live = 1
| Live = 1
|Compilation = 2
| Compilation = 2
|Video = 1
| Video = 1
|Singles = 9
| Singles = 9

}}
}}


===Studio albums===
===Studio albums===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center"
|+List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications
|-
!scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! rowspan="2" style="width:300px;"| Album details
!scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album details
!colspan="6"| Peak chart positions
!scope="col" colspan="6"| Peak chart positions
!rowspan=2| [[List of music recording sales certifications|Certifications]]
! rowspan="2" |Sales
! rowspan="2" scope="col" | [[List of music recording sales certifications|Certifications]]
|-
|-
! style="width:25px;";font-size:85%"|<small>[[Billboard 200|US]]</small><br><ref name=billboard200>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-folds/chart-history/tlp/|title=Billboard > Ben Folds Chart History > Billboard 200|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 20, 2019}}</ref>
! style="width:25px; font-size:85%"| [[Billboard 200|US]]<br /><ref name=billboard200>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-folds/chart-history/tlp/|title=Billboard > Ben Folds Chart History > Billboard 200|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 20, 2019}}</ref>
! style="width:25px;";font-size:85%"|<small>[[ARIA Charts|AU]]</small><br><ref name="auchart">Australian ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]]) peaks:
! style="width:25px; font-size:85%"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref name="auchart">Australian ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]]) peaks:
*Top 50 peaks: {{cite web|title=australian-charts.com > Ben Folds Five in Australian Charts|publisher=Hung Medien|url=https://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Ben+Folds+Five|access-date=November 20, 2019}}
*Top 50 peaks: {{cite web|title=australian-charts.com > Ben Folds Five in Australian Charts|publisher=Hung Medien|url=https://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Ben+Folds+Five|access-date=November 20, 2019}}
*Top 100 peaks to December 2010: {{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|edition=pdf|page=105}}
*Top 100 peaks to December 2010: {{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|edition=pdf|page=105}}
Line 87: Line 99:
*"Song for the Dumped": {{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/FXvewrh.jpg|title=The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 27 Sep 1998|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]], via Imgur.com|access-date=February 3, 2016}} N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.
*"Song for the Dumped": {{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/FXvewrh.jpg|title=The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 27 Sep 1998|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]], via Imgur.com|access-date=February 3, 2016}} N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.
*"Army": {{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/m7BaTmi.jpg|title=ariaNET The Chart! Top 100 Singles – Week Commencing 12th April 1999|publisher=ARIA, via Imgur.com|access-date=February 2, 2016}}</ref>
*"Army": {{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/m7BaTmi.jpg|title=ariaNET The Chart! Top 100 Singles – Week Commencing 12th April 1999|publisher=ARIA, via Imgur.com|access-date=February 2, 2016}}</ref>
! style="width:25px;";font-size:85%"|<small>[[Canadian Albums Chart|CA]]</small><br><ref name="Ben Folds Five Top Albums/CDs positions">Peak chart positions for albums in Canada:
! style="width:25px; font-size:85%"| [[Canadian Albums Chart|CAN]]<br /><ref name="Ben Folds Five Top Albums/CDs positions">Peak chart positions for albums in Canada:
*''Whatever and Ever Amen'': {{cite magazine|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.3497&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.3497.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.3497|title=Ben Folds Five Top Albums/CDs positions for Whatever and Ever Amen|magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|access-date=December 1, 2015}}
*''Whatever and Ever Amen'': {{cite magazine|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.3497&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.3497.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.3497|title=Ben Folds Five Top Albums/CDs positions for Whatever and Ever Amen|magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|access-date=December 1, 2015}}
*''The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner'': {{cite magazine|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.8142&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.8142.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.8142|title=Ben Folds Five Top Albums/CDs positions for The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner|magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref>
*''The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner'': {{cite magazine|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.8142&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.8142.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.8142|title=Ben Folds Five Top Albums/CDs positions for The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner|magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref>
! style="width:25px;";font-size:85%"|<small>[[Oricon|JP]]</small><br><ref name="Jachart">Peak chart positions for albums in Japan:
! style="width:25px; font-size:85%"| [[Oricon|JPN]]<br /><ref name="Jachart">Peak chart positions for albums in Japan:
*All releases except as noted below: {{cite web| url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/151871/ranking/cd_album/ |title=ベン・フォールズ・ファイヴのCDアルバムランキング|trans-title=Ben Folds Five: Highest position and charting weeks on the albums chart| language=ja| work=oricon.co.jp| publisher=[[Oricon|Oricon Style]]| access-date=February 18, 2014}}
*All releases except as noted below: {{cite web| url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/151871/ranking/cd_album/ |title=ベン・フォールズ・ファイヴのCDアルバムランキング|trans-title=Ben Folds Five: Highest position and charting weeks on the albums chart| language=ja| work=oricon.co.jp| publisher=[[Oricon|Oricon Style]]| access-date=February 18, 2014}}
*''The Best Imitation of Myself'': {{cite web| url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/151870/ranking/cd_album/ |title=ベン・フォールズのCDアルバムランキング|trans-title=Ben Folds: Highest position and charting weeks on the albums chart| language=ja| work=oricon.co.jp| publisher=[[Oricon|Oricon Style]]| access-date=February 18, 2014}}</ref>
*''The Best Imitation of Myself'': {{cite web| url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/151870/ranking/cd_album/ |title=ベン・フォールズのCDアルバムランキング|trans-title=Ben Folds: Highest position and charting weeks on the albums chart| language=ja| work=oricon.co.jp| publisher=[[Oricon|Oricon Style]]| access-date=February 18, 2014}}</ref>
! style="width:25px;";font-size:85%"|<small>[[Scottish Singles and Albums Charts|SC]]</small><br><ref name="Scoalbums">Peak positions for singles in Scotland:
! style="width:25px; font-size:85%"| [[Scottish Singles and Albums Charts|SCO]]<br /><ref name="Scoalbums">Peak positions for singles in Scotland:
* For "Whatever and Ever Amen": {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/19970309/40/|title=Chart Archive > March 9, 1997|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}
* For "Whatever and Ever Amen": {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/19970309/40/|title=Chart Archive > March 9, 1997|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}
* For "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner": {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/19990502/40/|title=Chart Archive > May 2, 1999|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}
* For "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner": {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/19990502/40/|title=Chart Archive > May 2, 1999|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}
* For "The Sound of the Life of the Mind": {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20120923/40/|title=Chart Archive > September 23, 2012|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}</ref>
* For "The Sound of the Life of the Mind": {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20120923/40/|title=Chart Archive > September 23, 2012|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}</ref>
! style="width:25px;";font-size:85%"|<small>[[UK Album Chart|UK]]</small><br><ref name="UKchart">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/1142/ben-folds-five/|title=Official Charts > Ben Folds Five|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=November 20, 2019}}</ref>
! style="width:25px; font-size:85%"| [[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<br /><ref name="UKchart">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/1142/ben-folds-five/|title=Official Charts > Ben Folds Five|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=November 20, 2019}}</ref>
|-
|-
| align=left |''[[Ben Folds Five (album)|Ben Folds Five]]''
!scope="row"|''[[Ben Folds Five (album)|Ben Folds Five]]''
|
*Released: August 8, 1995
*Released: August 8, 1995
*Label: [[Passenger Records|Passenger]]/[[Caroline Records (U.S.)|Caroline]]
*Label: [[Passenger Records|Passenger]], [[Caroline Records (U.S.)|Caroline]]
| — || 37 || — || 72 || — || —
| — || 37 || — || 72 || — || —
|
|align="left"|
* US: 195,000<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Pesselnick |first=Jill |date=August 11, 2001 |title=Five-less Folds Finds Solitude, Fights Aging on 550/Epic's 'Rockin' The Suburbs' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hRIEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA17 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |volume=113 |issue=32 |page=17}}</ref>
*[[RIAJ]]: Gold <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/1997/199705.pdf |title=RIAJ > The Record > May 1997 > Certified Awards (March 1997) |work=[[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] |language=ja |access-date=February 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223104438/http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/1997/199705.pdf |archive-date=February 23, 2014 }}</ref>
| align="left" |
*[[RIAJ]]: Gold<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/1997/199705.pdf |title=RIAJ > The Record > May 1997 > Certified Awards (March 1997) |work=[[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] |language=ja |access-date=February 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223104438/http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/1997/199705.pdf |archive-date=February 23, 2014 }}</ref>
|-
|-
| align=left |''[[Whatever and Ever Amen]]''
!scope="row"|''[[Whatever and Ever Amen]]''
|
*Released: March 18, 1997
*Released: March 18, 1997
*Label: [[550 Music|550]]
*Label: [[550 Music|550]], Caroline, [[Epic Records|Epic]]
| 42 || 8 || 48 || 6 || 38 || 30
| 42 || 8 || 48 || 6 || 38 || 30
|
|align="left"|
* US: 1,100,000<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Billboard Staff |date=2005-05-04 |title='The Boss' Back On Top |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-boss-back-on-top-1412914/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
| align="left" |
*[[RIAA]]: Platinum{{certification Cite Ref|type=album|region=United States|certyear=1998|artist=Ben Folds Five|title=Whatever and Ever Amen|access-date=February 17, 2014}}
*[[RIAA]]: Platinum{{certification Cite Ref|type=album|region=United States|certyear=1998|artist=Ben Folds Five|title=Whatever and Ever Amen|access-date=February 17, 2014}}
*[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]: Platinum{{certification Cite Ref|type=album|region=Australia|certyear=1998|artist=Ben Folds Five|title=Whatever and Ever Amen|access-date=February 17, 2014}}
*[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]: Platinum{{certification Cite Ref|type=album|region=Australia|certyear=1998|artist=Ben Folds Five|title=Whatever and Ever Amen|access-date=February 17, 2014}}
*[[RIAJ]]: Platinum<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/1997/199706.pdf |title=RIAJ > The Record > June 1997 > Certified Awards (April 1997)|work=[[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] |language=ja |access-date=February 17, 2014}}</ref>
*[[Music Canada|MC]]: Gold<ref>{{cite web |url=https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=ben%20folds%20five|title=MC > Album > June 1997 > Certified Awards (August 27, 1998)|work=[[Music Canada]] |language=en |access-date=September 28, 2019}}</ref>
*[[MC]]: Gold<ref>{{cite web |url=https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=ben%20folds%20five|title=MC > Album > June 1997 > Certified Awards (August 27, 1998)|work=[[Music Canada]] |language=en |access-date=September 28, 2019}}</ref>
*RIAJ: Platinum<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/1997/199706.pdf |title=RIAJ > The Record > June 1997 > Certified Awards (April 1997)|work=[[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] |language=ja |access-date=February 17, 2014}}</ref>

|-
|-
| align=left |''[[The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner]]''
!scope="row"|''[[The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner]]''
|
*Released: April 27, 1999
*Released: April 27, 1999
*Label: 550
*Label: 550, Caroline, Epic
| 35 || 5 || 35 || 17 || 32 || 22
| 35 || 5 || 35 || 17 || 32 || 22
|
* US: 299,000<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Billboard Staff |date=2012-08-31 |title=Fall Album Preview 2012 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/fall-album-preview-2012-1066882/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|-
| align=left|''[[The Sound of the Life of the Mind]]''
!scope="row"|''[[The Sound of the Life of the Mind]]''
|
*Released: September 18, 2012
*Released: September 18, 2012
*Label: ImaVeePee
*Label: ImaVeePee
| 10 || 24 || — || 72 || 48 || 40
| 10 || 24 || — || 72 || 48 || 40
|
* US: 67,000<ref name="us sales">{{cite magazine |title=Upcoming Releases |url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |magazine=Hits Daily Double |publisher=HITS Digital Ventures |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150819025550/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |archivedate=August 19, 2015}}</ref>
|
|
|}
|}


===Live albums===
===Live albums===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center"
*''[[Naked Baby Photos]]'' (1998) – Caroline Records
|+List of live albums, with selected details
*''[[Live (Ben Folds Five album)|Live]]'' (2013) – ImaVeePee
! scope="col"| Title
! scope="col"| Album details
|-
!scope="row"|''[[Live (Ben Folds Five album)|Live]]''
|
*Released: May 31, 2013
*Label:
|-
!scope="row"|''The Complete Sessions at West 54th''
|
*Released: July 10, 2018
*Label: Real Gone, Epic
|}


===Singles===
===Compilation albums===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center"
|+List of compilation albums, with selected details
! scope="col"| Title
! scope="col"| Album details
|-
|-
!scope="row"|''[[Naked Baby Photos]]''
!rowspan=2 |Year
|
! rowspan="2" style="width:265px;"|Single
*Released: January 13, 1998
!colspan=6 |Peak chart positions
*Label: Caroline
!rowspan=2 |Album
|-
!scope="row"|''Playlist: The Very Best of Ben Folds Five''
|
*Released: April 10, 2015
*Label: Epic
|}

===Singles===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center"
|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions
!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Title
!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year
!scope="col" colspan="6"|Peak chart positions
!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Album
|-
|-
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"|[[Hot 100 Airplay (Radio Songs)|US<br>Radio]]<br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-folds/chart-history/hsb/|title=Billboard > Ben Folds Chart History > Radio Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 20, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"|[[Hot 100 Airplay (Radio Songs)|US<br>Radio]]<br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-folds/chart-history/hsb/|title=Billboard > Ben Folds Chart History > Radio Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 20, 2019}}</ref>
Line 146: Line 199:
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"|[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br><ref name="auchart"/>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"|[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br><ref name="auchart"/>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"|[[Canadian Hot 100|CAN]]<br /><ref name="CAN-singles">Peak chart positions for singles in Canada:
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"|[[Canadian Hot 100|CAN]]<br /><ref name="CAN-singles">Peak chart positions for singles in Canada:
* "Brick": {{cite web | url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.3504&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.3504.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.3504 | title=Top Singles | work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] | access-date=November 16, 2015}}</ref>
* "Brick": {{cite web | url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.3504&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.3504.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.3504 | title=Top Singles | work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] | date=17 July 2013 | access-date=November 16, 2015}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"|[[Japan Hot 100|JPN]]<br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-folds/chart-history/jpn/|title=Billboard > Ben Folds Chart History > Japan Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 20, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"|[[Japan Hot 100|JPN]]<br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-folds/chart-history/jpn/|title=Billboard > Ben Folds Chart History > Japan Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 20, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br><ref name="UKchart"/>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br><ref name="UKchart"/>
|-
|-
!scope="row"|"Jackson Cannery"
|rowspan="3"|1996
|rowspan="1"|1994
| align=left|"[[Where's Summer B.? (song)|Where's Summer B.?]]"
| — || — || — || — || — || 76
| — || — || — || — || — || —
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="3"|''[[Ben Folds Five (album)|Ben Folds Five]]''
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="5"|''[[Ben Folds Five (album)|Ben Folds Five]]''
|-
|-
| align=left|"[[Underground (Ben Folds Five song)|Underground]]"
!scope="row"|"[[Underground (Ben Folds Five song)|Underground]]"
|rowspan="4"|1996
| — || — || — || — || — || 37
| — || — || — || — || — || 37
|-
|-
!scope="row"|"[[Where's Summer B.?]]"
| align=left|"[[Uncle Walter (song)|Uncle Walter]]"
| — || — || — || — || — || 76
|-
!scope="row"|"[[Philosophy (Ben Folds Five song)|Philosophy]]"
| — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
!scope="row"|"[[Uncle Walter (song)|Uncle Walter]]"
| — || — || — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
|-
!scope="row"|"[[Battle of Who Could Care Less]]"
| rowspan="4" |1997
| rowspan="4" |1997
| align=left|"[[Battle of Who Could Care Less]]"
| — || 22 || 149 || — || — || 26
| — || 22 || 149 || — || — || 26
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="5"|''[[Whatever and Ever Amen]]''
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="5"|''[[Whatever and Ever Amen]]''
|-
|-
| align=left|"One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces"
!scope="row"|"One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces"
| — || — || 134 || — || — || —
| — || — || 134 || — || — || —
|-
|-
| align=left|"[[Kate (Ben Folds Five song)|Kate]]"
!scope="row"|"[[Kate (Ben Folds Five song)|Kate]]"
| — || — || — || — || — || 39
| — || — || — || — || — || 39
|-
|-
| align=left|"[[Brick (song)|Brick]]"
!scope="row"|"[[Brick (song)|Brick]]"
| 19 || 6 || 13 || 12 || — || 26
| 19 || 6 || 13 || 12 || — || 26
|-
|-
!scope="row"|"Song for the Dumped"
|1998
|1998
| align=left|"Song for the Dumped"
| — || 23 || 73 || — || — || —
| — || 23 || 73 || — || — || —
|-
|-
!scope="row"|"[[Army (Ben Folds Five song)|Army]]"
|rowspan="2"|1999
|rowspan="2"|1999
| align=left|"[[Army (Ben Folds Five song)|Army]]"
| — || 17 || 65 || — || — || 28
| — || 17 || 65 || — || — || 28
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2"|''[[The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner]]''
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2"|''[[The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner]]''
|-
|-
| align=left|"Don't Change Your Plans"
!scope="row"|"Don't Change Your Plans"
| — || — || — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
|-
!scope="row"|"[[Do It Anyway (song)|Do It Anyway]]"
|2012
|2012
| align=left|"Do It Anyway"
| — || — || — || — || 88 || —
| — || — || — || — || 88 || —
| align=left|''[[The Sound of the Life of the Mind]]''
| align=left|''[[The Sound of the Life of the Mind]]''
|-
|-
| colspan="16" style="text-align:center; font-size:8pt;"| "—" denotes singles that did not chart.
| colspan="16" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"| "—" denotes singles that did not chart.
|}
|}


Line 198: Line 258:
*''[[Ben Folds Five – The Complete Sessions at West 54th]]'' (1999) – [[Epic Records|Epic]] Music Video
*''[[Ben Folds Five – The Complete Sessions at West 54th]]'' (1999) – [[Epic Records|Epic]] Music Video


===Soundtracks and compilations===
===Other appearances===
* ''[[Mr. Wrong]]'' soundtrack (1996) – Contributed "Song for the Dumped"
* ''[[Mr. Wrong]]'' soundtrack (1996) – Contributed "Song for the Dumped"
* ''[[The Truth About Cats & Dogs (soundtrack)|The Truth About Cats & Dogs]]'' soundtrack (1996) – Contributed "Bad Idea"
* ''[[The Truth About Cats & Dogs (soundtrack)|The Truth About Cats & Dogs]]'' soundtrack (1996) – Contributed "Bad Idea"
Line 204: Line 264:
* ''[[Lounge-A-Palooza]]'' (1997) – Contributed cover of "[[She Don't Use Jelly]]" by [[The Flaming Lips]]
* ''[[Lounge-A-Palooza]]'' (1997) – Contributed cover of "[[She Don't Use Jelly]]" by [[The Flaming Lips]]
* ''MegaHits Dance Party, Volume 2'' (1998) – Contributed "Brick (3AM Dance Remix)"
* ''MegaHits Dance Party, Volume 2'' (1998) – Contributed "Brick (3AM Dance Remix)"
* ''[[Naked Baby Photos]]'' (1998) – Compilation album comprising outtake material
* ''[[Triple J|Triple J Hottest 100, Volume 5]]'' (1998) – Contributed "One Angry Dwarf & 200 Solemn Faces"
* ''[[Triple J|Triple J Hottest 100, Volume 5]]'' (1998) – Contributed "One Angry Dwarf & 200 Solemn Faces"
* ''[[List of Sabrina the Teenage Witch books, CDs and DVDs#soundtrack|Sabrina, the Teenage Witch – The Album]]'' soundtrack (1998) – Contributed "Kate"
* ''[[List of Sabrina the Teenage Witch books, CDs and DVDs#soundtrack|Sabrina, the Teenage Witch – The Album]]'' soundtrack (1998) – Contributed "Kate"

Revision as of 04:43, 4 June 2024

For this group's self-titled album, see Ben Folds Five (album).
Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five at their reunion concert on September 18, 2008 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Ben Folds Five at their reunion concert on September 18, 2008 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Background information
OriginChapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1993–2000
  • 2008
  • 2011–2013
  • 2023
Labels
Past members
Ben Folds performing, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2006

Ben Folds Five was an American alternative rock trio formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The group comprised Ben Folds (lead vocals, piano), Robert Sledge (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Darren Jessee (drums, backing vocals). The group achieved success in the alternative, indie and pop music scenes. Their single "Brick" from the second album, Whatever and Ever Amen (1997), gained airplay on many mainstream radio stations.

During their first seven years, the band released three studio records, a compilation of B-sides and outtakes, and eight singles. They also contributed to a number of soundtracks and compilations. Ben Folds Five disbanded in October 2000, but reunited in 2011, and released their fourth album, The Sound of the Life of the Mind, in 2012, before disbanding again in 2013.

History

1993–2000

Ben Folds Five was formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill by Ben Folds. They were a trio in spite of their name, and the primary motivation behind the name, apart from the band's well-known use of humor, was simple preference, according to Ben: "I think it sounds better than Ben Folds Three."[1] Folds once described their music as "punk rock for sissies," a reaction to the angst prevalent in '90s rock.[2]

Their first radio single was "Underground" from their self-titled debut album, released in 1995 on Caroline Records. The band's biggest success was the single "Brick" from their second album, Whatever and Ever Amen, released in 1997. It was followed by the more somber and jazz-based 1999 album, The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner. The group contributed an outtake from the Reinhold Messner sessions, titled "Leather Jacket", to the 1999 benefit album, No Boundaries: A Benefit for the Kosovar Refugees.

The band's final released recording was a cover of Steely Dan's "Barrytown" for the Me, Myself & Irene soundtrack. The band had begun work on a fourth studio album, but following the worldwide tour in support of The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner, the band "amicably" broke up in October 2000. Tracks from the sessions later emerged in solo projects.[3]

After the break-up (2001–2011)

Folds went on to pursue a successful solo career, releasing his debut album Rockin' the Suburbs in 2001, followed Songs for Silverman in 2005, Way to Normal in 2008, and Lonely Avenue in collaboration with novelist Nick Hornby in 2010. He produced and arranged actor William Shatner's second album Has Been, co-writing the majority of the songs with Shatner. Folds also contributed songs to the soundtracks for the animated movies Hoodwinked! and Over the Hedge, as well as forming the one-off side project The Bens (with Ben Lee and Ben Kweller) in 2003.

Jessee formed the indie band Hotel Lights in 2004, with his songs featured in television and film. Jessee released three studio albums for Bar/None Records in this time – including Hotel Lights in 2006, Firecracker People in 2008, and Girl Graffiti in 2011.

Sledge played with International Orange until the group disbanded in 2005. He later became the bass player in the three-piece Chapel Hill band Surrender Human, with Matt McMichaels from the Mayflies USA.

Reunions (2008, 2011–2013, 2023)

Ben Folds Five made a one-off concert appearance in September 2008 at the UNC Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill as part of the MySpace "Front to Back" series, in which artists play an entire album live. The band played its then-final album, The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner, and were briefly joined on stage by Ben's father, Dean Folds, who read a transcript of his voice mail message that is used in the album song "Your Most Valuable Possession", encoring with some of the songs from their first two albums.[4]

In 2011, Ben Folds Five reunited to record three tracks for Ben Folds' The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective. They made their first live appearance in four years as one of the headliners of the 2012 Mountain Jam festival.[5] They made further appearances at that year's 2012 Bonnaroo and Summerfest festivals.

The band's fourth studio album, The Sound of the Life of the Mind was released in September 2012, supported by the single Do It Anyway, with a video featuring Anna Kendrick, Rob Corddry, and the cast of Fraggle Rock.[6] and a tour of the US, the UK, Australia and Ireland.

In June 2013, the trio released their first live album, titled Live.[7] During that year Ben Folds Five toured with the Barenaked Ladies and Guster,[8] before entering a hiatus that ultimately became permanent. Folds resumed his solo career, releasing the yMusic collaboration So There in 2015[9] and continuing to tour extensively. Jessee, meanwhile, released a new album with Hotel Lights in 2016, entitled Get Your Hand in My Hand,[10] before releasing two solo albums: 2018's The Jane, Room 217[11] and 2020's Remover.[12]

Caleb Southern – the producer of the band's first three albums and considered the "fourth member" of the band by Folds – died on July 6, 2023.[13] The band reunited for a concert in tribute to Southern on August 28, 2023, at the Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill.[citation needed][14]

Discography

Ben Folds Five discography
Studio albums4
Live albums1
Compilation albums2
Video albums1
Singles9

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications
Titel Album details Peak chart positions Verkauf Certifications
US
[15] 		AUS
[16] 		CAN
[17] 		JPN
[18] 		SCO
[19] 		UK
[20]
Ben Folds Five — 37 — 72 — —
Whatever and Ever Amen
  • Released: March 18, 1997
  • Label: 550, Caroline, Epic
 42 8 48 6 38 30
The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner
  • Released: April 27, 1999
  • Label: 550, Caroline, Epic
 35 5 35 17 32 22
The Sound of the Life of the Mind
  • Released: September 18, 2012
  • Label: ImaVeePee
 10 24 — 72 48 40

Live albums

List of live albums, with selected details
Titel Album details
Live
  • Released: May 31, 2013
  • Label:
The Complete Sessions at West 54th
  • Released: July 10, 2018
  • Label: Real Gone, Epic

Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected details
Titel Album details
Naked Baby Photos
  • Released: January 13, 1998
  • Label: Caroline
Playlist: The Very Best of Ben Folds Five
  • Released: April 10, 2015
  • Label: Epic

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Titel Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Radio
[30] 		US Alt
[31] 		AUS
[16] 		CAN
[32] 		JPN
[33] 		UK
[20]
"Jackson Cannery" 1994 — — — — — — Ben Folds Five
"Underground" 1996 — — — — — 37
"Where's Summer B.?" — — — — — 76
"Philosophy" — — — — — —
"Uncle Walter" — — — — — —
"Battle of Who Could Care Less" 1997 — 22 149 — — 26 Whatever and Ever Amen
"One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces" — — 134 — — —
"Kate" — — — — — 39
"Brick" 19 6 13 12 — 26
"Song for the Dumped" 1998 — 23 73 — — —
"Army" 1999 — 17 65 — — 28 The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner
"Don't Change Your Plans" — — — — — —
"Do It Anyway" 2012 — — — — 88 — The Sound of the Life of the Mind
"—" denotes singles that did not chart.

DVDs

Other appearances

References

  1. ^ Hofmann, Pieter (March 10, 1997). "Waist Deep in Pianos and Buses". Drop-D Magazine. Retrieved September 2, 2006.
  2. ^ Thomas, Sarah (August 25, 2006). "Ben Folds with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved September 23, 2006.
  3. ^ "Ben with the Breeze". Melbourne: The Breeze. April 1, 2005. Retrieved November 27, 2006.
  4. ^ "Ben Folds Five delights in reunion" Archived September 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Catch Ben Folds Five's First Reunion Performance Tomorrow! | The Official Ben Folds Site". Benfolds.com. June 1, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  6. ^ Folds, Ben (September 17, 2012). "EXCLUSIVE!: Ben Folds Five and the Fraggles Sing "Do It Anyway"". Nerdist. Archived from the original on September 20, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  7. ^ Ben Folds Five First Official Live Album To Be Released June 4 | The Official Ben Folds Site, 2013-04-18. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
  8. ^ "Ben Folds Tour". Benfolds.com. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  9. ^ Kivel, Adam (September 10, 2015). "Album Review: Ben Folds and yMusic – So There". Consequence. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  10. ^ "Hotel Lights: Get Your Hand in My Hand (Bar None)". Innocent Words. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  11. ^ Ham, Robert. "Darren Jessee: The Jane, Room 217 Review". Paste Magazine. Paste Media Group. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  12. ^ Mosk, Mitch (October 13, 2020). "SWOON, DEEP, & REAL: DARREN JESSEE'S 'REMOVER' IS A TENDER, QUIET TEMPEST". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  13. ^ Brodsky, Rachel. "Ben Folds Five & Archers Of Loaf Producer Caleb Southern Dead At 53". Stereogum. Stereogum Media. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  14. ^ Cat's Cradle concert ticket listing Retrieved January 18, 2024
  15. ^ "Billboard > Ben Folds Chart History > Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  16. ^ a b Australian (ARIA) peaks:
  17. ^ Peak chart positions for albums in Canada:
  18. ^ Peak chart positions for albums in Japan:
  19. ^ Peak positions for singles in Scotland:
  20. ^ a b "Official Charts > Ben Folds Five". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  21. ^ Pesselnick, Jill (August 11, 2001). "Five-less Folds Finds Solitude, Fights Aging on 550/Epic's 'Rockin' The Suburbs'". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 32. p. 17.
  22. ^ "RIAJ > The Record > May 1997 > Certified Awards (March 1997)" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  23. ^ Billboard Staff (May 4, 2005). "'The Boss' Back On Top". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  24. ^ "American album certifications – Ben Folds Five – Whatever and Ever Amen". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  25. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  26. ^ "MC > Album > June 1997 > Certified Awards (August 27, 1998)". Music Canada. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  27. ^ "RIAJ > The Record > June 1997 > Certified Awards (April 1997)" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  28. ^ Billboard Staff (August 31, 2012). "Fall Album Preview 2012". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  29. ^ "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on August 19, 2015.
  30. ^ "Billboard > Ben Folds Chart History > Radio Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  31. ^ "Billboard > Ben Folds Chart History > Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  32. ^ Peak chart positions for singles in Canada:
  33. ^ "Billboard > Ben Folds Chart History > Japan Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Folds_Five&oldid=1227172380"