Music Review: Ben Folds Five "Battle Of Who Could Care Less"
Ben Folds Five
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Battle Of Who Could Care Less
Album: Whatever And Ever Amen
Year: 1997
Ben Folds envies his friend's indifference to the world in the resigned "Battle Of Who Could Care Less."
Sheepish "do's" open the single, setting a leisurely tone. In the first verse, his friend stares off into space as the television plays a documentary about World War II Every so often he will flick the ashes from his cigarette and talk about how commercial life has become. Whenever Folds is around him, he can't help but be antisocial and scoff at every idealistic notion. Alienation is supposedly all the rage. He doesn't quite understand the purpose of it, though.
In the chorus, he asks his friend if he will continue to be brooding and negative. His friend is unemployed (rationalizing by saying capitalism is a scam) and would rather not have a future. Folds, whose parents have been pushing him through college, wishes he drop everything and veg on the couch, too.
In the second verse, his friend is into retro detective shows. He sometimes discusses the news media and how invasive they can be. He has some ideas about improvements. He talks about the novel he's writing. He's been drafting it for a couple years now. Folds mostly sits with him. He knows the routine. After Rockford Files, a phone call will be made to their mutual friend, Paul. Then, in the evening, they will all smoke the stash of marijuana Paul brought.
In second verse, Folds notes his friend's lack of inititative comes from having everything given to him. His friend feels that he didn't deserve it. Folds understands him a bit better.
In the bridge, he jokes that they should create portraits of two high-ranking army men. They don't care about the war going on around them or about themselves. They'll have bubbles printed over them, displaying how over they are being political.
In the third verse, his friend gives him a weird look and returns to watching the Rockford Files. Folds fumbles for something in his pocket and says he has something to show him. His friend raises his eyebrows and he wants to know. Folds says it's a blast from the past and shows him his old driver’s license he found. Folds jokes that he looks like Robert Smith's long-lost son.
In the final chorus, Folds says he idolizes his friend for not giving a shit about anything. In Folds' eyes, it's ballsy to lack drive and realize that individual can do anything they want is a lie.
Folds has grown up with his parents encouraging to find a purpose. While in high school, his parents were planning for college. They asked what he wanted to major in. They instilled in him a desire to succeed and to be the best. However, as Folds has learned, ambition takes endless energy. Some days, he doesn't care if he passes or fails that quiz. With his apathetic friend, he can hang out and forget about the pressure he feels. It's a break from reality for him. He admires his friend for not putting a façade and pretending to be about success. However, he wish his friend would care about something.
Folds’ vocals are conversational and nonchalant. But there's some weariness, as he tries to get his friend to stop taking himself seriously for a moment.
The affable piano arrangement is like lot Folds: mellow and soft-spoken. At the chorus, the mood is excitable as he and his friend laugh over something that happened years ago.
The "Battle Of Who Could Care Less" is a deft song.
Album: Whatever And Ever Amen
Year: 1997
Ben Folds envies his friend's indifference to the world in the resigned "Battle Of Who Could Care Less."
Sheepish "do's" open the single, setting a leisurely tone. In the first verse, his friend stares off into space as the television plays a documentary about World War II Every so often he will flick the ashes from his cigarette and talk about how commercial life has become. Whenever Folds is around him, he can't help but be antisocial and scoff at every idealistic notion. Alienation is supposedly all the rage. He doesn't quite understand the purpose of it, though.
"Do you not hear me anymore/I know it's not your thing to care/I know it's cool to be so bored/But it sucks me in when you're aloof/It sucks me in, it sucks it works/I guess it's cool to be alone."
In the chorus, he asks his friend if he will continue to be brooding and negative. His friend is unemployed (rationalizing by saying capitalism is a scam) and would rather not have a future. Folds, whose parents have been pushing him through college, wishes he drop everything and veg on the couch, too.
"Will you never rest/Fighting the battle of who could care less/Every day you wake up late/Sometimes I wish I was that way."
In the second verse, his friend is into retro detective shows. He sometimes discusses the news media and how invasive they can be. He has some ideas about improvements. He talks about the novel he's writing. He's been drafting it for a couple years now. Folds mostly sits with him. He knows the routine. After Rockford Files, a phone call will be made to their mutual friend, Paul. Then, in the evening, they will all smoke the stash of marijuana Paul brought.
"And you think Rockford Files is cool/But there are some things that you would change/If it were up to you/So think about your masterpiece/Watch the Rockford Files/Call to see if Paul can score some weed."
In second verse, Folds notes his friend's lack of inititative comes from having everything given to him. His friend feels that he didn't deserve it. Folds understands him a bit better.
"Will you never rest…Unearned unhappiness/That's okay, I guess."
In the bridge, he jokes that they should create portraits of two high-ranking army men. They don't care about the war going on around them or about themselves. They'll have bubbles printed over them, displaying how over they are being political.
"I''ve got this great idea/Why don't we pitch it to the Franklin fuckin' Mint/Fine pewter portraits of General Apathy and Major Boredom/Singing whatever and ever amen."
In the third verse, his friend gives him a weird look and returns to watching the Rockford Files. Folds fumbles for something in his pocket and says he has something to show him. His friend raises his eyebrows and he wants to know. Folds says it's a blast from the past and shows him his old driver’s license he found. Folds jokes that he looks like Robert Smith's long-lost son.
"Oh well, maybe not, I'll try again/This should cheer you up for sure/See, I've got your old I.D./And you're all dressed up like the Cure."
In the final chorus, Folds says he idolizes his friend for not giving a shit about anything. In Folds' eyes, it's ballsy to lack drive and realize that individual can do anything they want is a lie.
"Will you never rest… Unearned unhappiness/You're my hero I confess.â€
Folds has grown up with his parents encouraging to find a purpose. While in high school, his parents were planning for college. They asked what he wanted to major in. They instilled in him a desire to succeed and to be the best. However, as Folds has learned, ambition takes endless energy. Some days, he doesn't care if he passes or fails that quiz. With his apathetic friend, he can hang out and forget about the pressure he feels. It's a break from reality for him. He admires his friend for not putting a façade and pretending to be about success. However, he wish his friend would care about something.
Folds’ vocals are conversational and nonchalant. But there's some weariness, as he tries to get his friend to stop taking himself seriously for a moment.
The affable piano arrangement is like lot Folds: mellow and soft-spoken. At the chorus, the mood is excitable as he and his friend laugh over something that happened years ago.
The "Battle Of Who Could Care Less" is a deft song.