Music Review: Ben Folds Five "Song For The Dumped"
Ben Folds Five
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Song For The Dumped
Album: Whatever And Ever Amen
Year: 1997
Ben Folds blows up at his girlfriend for misleading him the fuming “Song For The Dumped.”
Bewildered guitars open the single, setting a seething tone. In the first verse, he tries to process the information he’s been just told. Over the past month, his girlfriend said she wanted some time to figure things out. It didn’t mean she was going to end it, she thought it would be best to sort things out on her own. The relationship was heading into a much more serious direction, and it wasn’t something she was ready for. He yells that she can forget about him not getting mad, like she made him promise before she began their talk.
In the chorus, he demands that she give $17 for the expensive dinner he bought to celebrate their getting back together. She let him believe they could make it work. As she heads back into her house, he tells her to bring back his favorite black t-shirt. She said she liked it and it was comfortable. Since he loved her, he didn’t think twice about giving it to her. It was after they made love for their first time. But now, he doesn’t care. He simply wants to hurt her in any way he can, even if it means asking for all the gifts he gave her back.
In the second verse, he says he regrets taking her out. If he knew it was going to lead more heartbreak and disappointment, then he would’ve stayed home and played video games. He still would’ve felt awful and lonely. But at least he would’ve felt as though he were slapped in the face.
The second chorus is sung.
A venting guitar and piano solos follow.
The first verse is sung again.
The first chorus ends the single.
Album: Whatever And Ever Amen
Year: 1997
Ben Folds blows up at his girlfriend for misleading him the fuming “Song For The Dumped.”
Bewildered guitars open the single, setting a seething tone. In the first verse, he tries to process the information he’s been just told. Over the past month, his girlfriend said she wanted some time to figure things out. It didn’t mean she was going to end it, she thought it would be best to sort things out on her own. The relationship was heading into a much more serious direction, and it wasn’t something she was ready for. He yells that she can forget about him not getting mad, like she made him promise before she began their talk.
“So you wanted to take a break/Slow it down some and have some space/Well fuck you too!”
In the chorus, he demands that she give $17 for the expensive dinner he bought to celebrate their getting back together. She let him believe they could make it work. As she heads back into her house, he tells her to bring back his favorite black t-shirt. She said she liked it and it was comfortable. Since he loved her, he didn’t think twice about giving it to her. It was after they made love for their first time. But now, he doesn’t care. He simply wants to hurt her in any way he can, even if it means asking for all the gifts he gave her back.
“Give me my money back/Give me my money back, you bitch/I want my money back/And don’t forget my black t-shirt.”
In the second verse, he says he regrets taking her out. If he knew it was going to lead more heartbreak and disappointment, then he would’ve stayed home and played video games. He still would’ve felt awful and lonely. But at least he would’ve felt as though he were slapped in the face.
“Wish I hadn't bought you dinner/Right before you dumped me on your front porch.”
The second chorus is sung.
“Give me my money back/Give me my money back, you bitch/I want my money back/And don’t forget/And don’t forget/And don't forget my black T-shirt.”
A venting guitar and piano solos follow.
The first verse is sung again.
The first chorus ends the single.
“Give me my money back/Give me my money back, you bitch/I want my money back/And don’t forget.”
Ben Folds thought she was going to say she was wrong and that a lifetime commitment is what she wanted also. But when she said it was over and she couldn’t see herself married to him. He couldn’t register it at first and had to ask her to explain it again. It didn’t sound right. However, when the shock wore off, he couldn’t help but to explode.
Folds’conversational vocals are disconcerted and calm in the first chorus. By the chorus, he’s pissed and wants to put her through as much pain that he’s feeling. Once he says everything he needs to, he’s shrugging her off, wondering how he could even think to be with her at all.
The stinging arrangement pricks at the emotion until it’s raw and bloody. Piano keys are slammed, the drum crashes and the guitar pulses with confusion.
The perfect “Song For The Dumped” nails the subtle emotions felt during a breakup.