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Ben Folds — Fred Jones Part 2
Album: Rockin The Suburbs
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 364









Released: 2001
Length: 3:43
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Fred sits alone at his desk in the dark
There's an awkward young shadow that waits in the hall
He's cleared all his things and he's put them in boxes
Things that remind him: 'Life has been good'

Twenty-five years
He's worked at the paper
A man's here to take him downstairs
And I'm sorry, Mr. Jones
It's time

There was no party, there were no songs
'Cause today's just a day like the day that he started
Noone has left here that knows his first name
And life barrels on like a runaway train
Where the passengers change
They don't change anything
You get off; someone else can get on

And I'm sorry, Mr. Jones
It's time

Streetlight shines through the shades
Casting lines on the floor, and lines on his face
He reflects on the day

Fred gets his paints out and goes to the basement
Projecting some slides onto a plain white
Canvas and traces it
Fills in the spaces
He turns off the slides, and it doesn't look right
Yeah, and all of these bastards
Have taken his place
He's forgotten but not yet gone

And I'm sorry, Mr. Jones
And I'm sorry, Mr. Jones
And I'm sorry, Mr. Jones
It's time
Comments (72)add comment
 MuzikLover wrote:
What poignant lyrics. Adds a little melancholy to the afternoon.

 
Quite. And a sharp reminder of what maybe awaits us as we become old and 'expendable'. Something which this 50-something feels particularly keenly.
What poignant lyrics. Adds a little melancholy to the afternoon.
Has a more than passing resemblance to Beatles' For No One. 
Great song for a rainy Monday morning - but it's Wednesday !!
I see people complaining that this song is sad and depressing.  Well, it's supposed to be.  Listen to the rest of the album for some upbeat, fun songs.

Or listen to Ben Folds Five's first, self-titled album for a bunch of silly, catchy tunes. 
Not gonna be 'rockin the suburbs' with this song.  {#Eh}
 handyrae wrote:
Wow! Is he the king of sad and depressing songs?
 
No no no... That's Morrissey. The Dope Of Mope.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Ben Folds....simply the best.
 handyrae wrote:
Wow! Is he the king of sad and depressing songs?
 
I don't know about 'king', but he's right up there.

Ya know...  I spend every day knowing that my wife would leave me for Ben Folds...  and I still enjoy his music.

Well, she wouldn't actually, but she'd think about it really hard.
Wow! Is he the king of sad and depressing songs?
previous Dylan song: 

12 & 35 refers to the classical music naming conventions

 aaronm wrote:
Fun fact: The harmony in this song is done by John McCrea, better known as the lead singer of CAKE.
 
Wow, I never noticed, but now it's so unmistakable!  Thanks!

I thought this was a Josh Ritter song at first. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxWxiuJRApU
Fun fact: The harmony in this song is done by John McCrea, better known as the lead singer of CAKE.
No matter what you think of Ben's music, singing style, or production, no one can deny that the lyrics of all of his songs always carry some kind of story.  He's like a nerdy Bob Dylan in many ways.
...and that´s why I work freelance!
 On_The_Beach wrote:
https://blogs.tampabay.com/.a/6a00d83451b05569e201156fe65a92970c-200wi
 
NOOOOOO! Don't take down THAT Mr. Jones!
 cc_rider wrote:
Exactly. Having been through my share of layoffs, long before anyone ever heard of Ben Folds, this song hits hard.
 
Songs like this always choke me up. My dad was laid off without warning, after many years as an electrician at a local gold mine.  "He's forgotten, but not yet gone..."  {#Cry}

I think I need to hear "Rockin' the Suburbs" now....

One of the best concerts I ever saw - just Ben and his piano, outside at High Falls, Rochester, NY.  How many people have the balls to do that?  Some. . .not many. Very talented performer.
https://blogs.tampabay.com/.a/6a00d83451b05569e201156fe65a92970c-200wi
Blech!
 chirpie wrote:

You might, MIGHT, win an argument for pretentious... but presumptuous? That's an odd choice there considering more middle-class guys get laid off now than any other time in the past few decades. More like a spot on choice for an all to common sad situation...

  Exactly. Having been through my share of layoffs, long before anyone ever heard of Ben Folds, this song hits hard.


 RadioDoc wrote:
Big giant pretentious, presumptuous yawn.  Ho hum.

 
You might, MIGHT, win an argument for pretentious... but presumptuous? That's an odd choice there considering more middle-class guys get laid off now than any other time in the past few decades. More like a spot on choice for an all to common sad situation...

 treepop wrote:
I love this song....and I love Ben Folds :)
 
I love this song... and I don't love Ben Folds :<

 Alpine wrote:
The new Burt Bacharach.
 
High praise indeed. Well earned, in my opinion.

Absolute saddest song.
I love this song....and I love Ben Folds :)
The Ben Folds/Ben Folds Five selections on this station puzzle me.  Time to start some uploading.  Mr. Folds is way better than Fred Jones.
 bindi wrote:

Never, ever pass up an opportunity to see Ben Folds live!  Just Ben and a piano - fantastic show!


 

I agree. He's playing in Asheville next month at the Orange Peel; I'd highly recommend this show.
 superfido wrote:
His name is a sentence. My great grandfather said never trust anyone whose name makes a sentence.

Never knew what he meant. and since he was a senile old alcoholic wife beating toothless geezer with scoliosis and a bad kidney, I didn't pay much attention to the old bastard. but still. that's what he said.
 
My name's C. Adam Hunt.... do you trust me?

Big giant pretentious, presumptuous yawn.  Ho hum.

 superfido wrote:
His name is a sentence. My great grandfather said never trust anyone whose name makes a sentence.

Never knew what he meant. and since he was a senile old alcoholic wife beating toothless geezer with scoliosis and a bad kidney, I didn't pay much attention to the old bastard. but still. that's what he said.
 

Thank you for making me laugh out loud on the above comment!!  {#Lol}
Great tune, thank you for introducing it!
I'm sorry mr bush; its time
On top of that he was famously cuckolded by Billy Paul.  Mr. Jones, not Ben.

His name is a sentence. My great grandfather said never trust anyone whose name makes a sentence.

Never knew what he meant. and since he was a senile old alcoholic wife beating toothless geezer with scoliosis and a bad kidney, I didn't pay much attention to the old bastard. but still. that's what he said.

Never, ever pass up an opportunity to see Ben Folds live!  Just Ben and a piano - fantastic show!


Put this on the other end of the pole, and the Coldplay track we just heard on the other end of the stick. I have no grudges about bands becoming huge, but sometimes one wonders.


 jagdriver wrote:
Sorry... this just doesn't do it for me. I don't need music to feel depressed, but rather listen to it to uplift and encourage me.
 

if you only ever listen to music representing part of the spectrum of emotions, that's like having your yin without your yang... to each their own i guess.. but you're missing out on an entire half of the human experience
What's with Mr. Jones? He keeps getting songs made about him. He's, like, this generic guy. But maybe those other bands are singing about someone other than Fred.

But this whole album is great. The title song is particularly fun.

Sorry... this just doesn't do it for me. I don't need music to feel depressed, but rather listen to it to uplift and encourage me.
i forgot how amazing this whole entire album is!  No wonder my friend stole it from me way back when..  holy crap, this came out 7 years ago!!!   

anyway, bill you're on fire!
Good to hear Ben Folds on RP!
One of my favorite albums of all time.
htxtmp wrote:
Isn't this an old Tim McGraw song? Minus the hyper-steriodal Nashville sound of course.
Umm....no.
Isn't this an old Tim McGraw song? Minus the hyper-steriodal Nashville sound of course.
Not one my favorite Ben Folds songs by any means, but I'm happy to hear him on RP. Should be played more often.
Harsh, but so true. How sad. Ben captures it brilliantly.
This song just crushes me. Maybe 'cause it's likely to be me someday. Damn.
Thier musicianship is amazing but The guy cannot sing.It's off tune in so many areas... maybe it's just me.. I don't know...I can't listen to them becus of him.
Ben Folds is one of the best musicians of our time. I especially love the version of this on his live CD with John McCrea of Cake.
heartbreaking
The new Burt Baccharach.
this is nice.
John McCrea of Cake, y'all. Who knew he could actually sing?
One of the best songs from his best album.
An absolute massive weight of a song. If you like it, you must check out the live version.
coldandcomposed wrote:
WHat a song. Oh man... i love it with such a passion.
Yes. The imagery slams you like a cold shower. I've seen co-workers escorted out in tears, and this song captures the essence of the experiences. c.
Beautiful. This is from his first solo album, which is a fantastic album. Highly recommended.
Ben Folds has always been a favorite of mine. This song, although not his best, still deserves a 10 from me.
For more on Fred Jones, check out 'Cigarette' off 'whatever and ever amen.' What a great musician and always puts on awesome show!
killahfunkadelic wrote:
I seem to remember Ben commenting on this song in concert about someone being forced into retirement?
It plays out like a soundtrack to "About Schmidt."
garoo1980 wrote:
Wow this album got fairly harsh reviews, or so I thought. What a fantastic song
I didn't see reviews, but my opinion is that the whole album is great.
Wow this album got fairly harsh reviews, or so I thought. What a fantastic song
On_The_Beach wrote:
Never heard Ben Folds before. I kinda like it.
and this isn't even close to being one of his better songs.
I seem to remember Ben commenting on this song in concert about someone being forced into retirement?
Never heard Ben Folds before. I kinda like it.
Songwriting that bothers to tell a story. Beautiful harmonies, passion, excellent arrangement.
WHat a song. Oh man... i love it with such a passion.