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

Your rating:
Total ratings: 366









Released: 2001
Length: 3:42
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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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.
Posted 11 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
What poignant lyrics. Adds a little melancholy to the afternoon.
Posted 11 years ago by MuzikLover    [ Reply ]
Has a more than passing resemblance to Beatles' For No One. 
Posted 11 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Great song for a rainy Monday morning - but it's Wednesday !!
Posted 11 years ago by blackridge    [ Reply ]
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. 
Posted 11 years ago by Paul_the_wonk    [ Reply ]
Not gonna be 'rockin the suburbs' with this song.  {#Eh}
Posted 11 years ago by dragonlady    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:
Wow! Is he the king of sad and depressing songs?
 
No no no... That's Morrissey. The Dope Of Mope.
Posted 12 years ago by plaid    [ Reply ]
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Posted 12 years ago by neuticle    [ Reply ]
Ben Folds....simply the best.
Posted 13 years ago by dadofsammy    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:
Wow! Is he the king of sad and depressing songs?
 
I don't know about 'king', but he's right up there.

Posted 13 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 13 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
Wow! Is he the king of sad and depressing songs?
Posted 13 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
previous Dylan song: 
12 & 35 refers to the classical music naming conventions

Posted 13 years ago by Dog_Ear    [ Reply ]
 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!

Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
I thought this was a Josh Ritter song at first. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxWxiuJRApU
Posted 13 years ago by Dangerpussy    [ Reply ]
Fun fact: The harmony in this song is done by John McCrea, better known as the lead singer of CAKE.
Posted 13 years ago by aaronm    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 13 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
...and that´s why I work freelance!
Posted 14 years ago by dyharenas    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
https://blogs.tampabay.com/.a/6a00d83451b05569e201156fe65a92970c-200wi
 
NOOOOOO! Don't take down THAT Mr. Jones!
Posted 14 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
 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....

Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 14 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
https://blogs.tampabay.com/.a/6a00d83451b05569e201156fe65a92970c-200wi
Posted 14 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Blech!
Posted 14 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 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.


Posted 14 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 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...

Posted 14 years ago by chirpie    [ Reply ]
 treepop wrote:
I love this song....and I love Ben Folds :)
 
I love this song... and I don't love Ben Folds :<

Posted 14 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 Alpine wrote:
The new Burt Bacharach.
 
High praise indeed. Well earned, in my opinion.

Posted 14 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Absolute saddest song.
Posted 14 years ago by firefly6    [ Reply ]
I love this song....and I love Ben Folds :)
Posted 15 years ago by treepop    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 15 years ago by malvey254    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 15 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
 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?

Posted 15 years ago by adroc    [ Reply ]
Big giant pretentious, presumptuous yawn.  Ho hum.

Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
 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}
Posted 15 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
Great tune, thank you for introducing it!
Posted 15 years ago by djblitz    [ Reply ]
I'm sorry mr bush; its time
Posted 15 years ago by blackdogsailing    [ Reply ]
On top of that he was famously cuckolded by Billy Paul.  Mr. Jones, not Ben.

Posted 15 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 15 years ago by superfido    [ Reply ]

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


Posted 16 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
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.


Posted 16 years ago by BobcatThunder    [ Reply ]
 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
Posted 16 years ago by i4niblind    [ Reply ]
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.

Posted 16 years ago by alanb    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 16 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 16 years ago by i4niblind    [ Reply ]
Good to hear Ben Folds on RP!
Posted 16 years ago by dburges    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite albums of all time.
Posted 16 years ago by aquinas    [ Reply ]
htxtmp wrote:
Isn't this an old Tim McGraw song? Minus the hyper-steriodal Nashville sound of course.
Umm....no.
Posted 16 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
Isn't this an old Tim McGraw song? Minus the hyper-steriodal Nashville sound of course.
Posted 16 years ago by htxtmp    [ Reply ]
Not one my favorite Ben Folds songs by any means, but I'm happy to hear him on RP. Should be played more often.
Posted 16 years ago by manleywoman    [ Reply ]
Harsh, but so true. How sad. Ben captures it brilliantly.
Posted 16 years ago by sharkey    [ Reply ]
This song just crushes me. Maybe 'cause it's likely to be me someday. Damn.
Posted 16 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 16 years ago by KMH    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 16 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
heartbreaking
Posted 16 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by keyholder    [ Reply ]
The new Burt Baccharach.
Posted 16 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
this is nice.
Posted 16 years ago by TheFriendlyCat    [ Reply ]
John McCrea of Cake, y'all. Who knew he could actually sing?
Posted 17 years ago by Jedzz    [ Reply ]
One of the best songs from his best album.
Posted 17 years ago by Kerly    [ Reply ]
An absolute massive weight of a song. If you like it, you must check out the live version.
Posted 17 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Beautiful. This is from his first solo album, which is a fantastic album. Highly recommended.
Posted 17 years ago by pescivendolo    [ Reply ]
Ben Folds has always been a favorite of mine. This song, although not his best, still deserves a 10 from me.
Posted 17 years ago by bcorcoran    [ Reply ]
For more on Fred Jones, check out 'Cigarette' off 'whatever and ever amen.' What a great musician and always puts on awesome show!
Posted 17 years ago by David_Watts    [ Reply ]
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."
Posted 17 years ago by 99    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by natural_tools    [ Reply ]
Wow this album got fairly harsh reviews, or so I thought. What a fantastic song
Posted 17 years ago by garoo1980    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
I seem to remember Ben commenting on this song in concert about someone being forced into retirement?
Posted 17 years ago by killahfunkadelic    [ Reply ]
Never heard Ben Folds before. I kinda like it.
Posted 17 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Songwriting that bothers to tell a story. Beautiful harmonies, passion, excellent arrangement.
Posted 18 years ago by coldatlantic    [ Reply ]
WHat a song. Oh man... i love it with such a passion.
Posted 19 years ago by coldandcomposed    [ Reply ]