Ben Folds Five - Battle of Who Could Care Less, 1997 (Live on Conan)

[@urbster1]

also i was going to say - it sounds like ben was fucking with the recording and adding that low-voice voiceover in post, which he probably thought was a funny bit to do on a late night comedy show (it is)

[@SilverStreet]

fair enough. I've got no clue how the process works and if the artist actually has a say in the production on these types of appearances, so I just assumed it was some sort of error.

[@urbster1]

@@SilverStreet i have no idea either, it's total speculation on my part - but knowing how ben likes to fuck with his audience sometimes, it seems likely to me

[@Luke-ep7zk]

00:56 “you suck” 2:16 “girl it’s been a long time since we had it goin’ on that way”

[@SilverStreet]

@@Luke-ep7zk oh wow, I didn't even realize it was the lyrics to Girl.

[@dalisman]

@@SilverStreet also the thing that’s on Spare Reeks “you’re living in a fantasy world….we can’t go on like this no more….let’s drive down to the Badlands….girl it’s been a long time”

[@donfeatherstone6235]

Love it. Love lead bass...I get to do that myself sometimes. At times, definitely a fun exercise in playing on the front half of the beat.

[@urbster1]

this absolutely rules

[@williamslater-vf5ym]

I actually went out and bought the album after seeing this back in 95 or whatever it was. Every song is gold. I don't have it anymore because of life and all. Thats why I love youtube.

[@CrumbBuster]

Damn - this is what i call a Ben Folds Rarity.

[@williamslater-vf5ym]

I was lucky enough to see this episode back in the day. I guess it wasn't really luck. I used to tape every episode. Wish I still had those tapes.

[@karensylvia9423]

Such a talented group !

[@robertwood451]

My old dorm neighbor… 🎶 🎤 🎹 🥁

[@daniw8903]

any idea where that ‘96 appearance is?

[@oranjuly]

Ben has talked about this appearance before and how he thought the band blew it. Darren is rushing the rhythm a lot. Chaotic performance.

[@tommyblierbass]

Couldn't agree more. You want to see a real gem? Check out the version of this song from the Sessions at West 54th. The tempo varies wildly, and it's not even close. I loved these guys back in the late 1990's, but (sadly) when you put the nostalgia and the awesome hook aside, these guys can't execute worth a shit.

[@oranjuly]

@@tommyblierbass His tempo fluctuated on certain songs in the '90s, but he's always been a great drummer with a great ear for parts and strong musicality. In all of the times I saw them play, they never screwed up live. Harmonies were always tight and the energy was incredible. And he slayed on the reunion tour(s) - some of those songs were played better than in the '90s.

[@RustinChole]

@@tommyblierbassI have to disagree. There’s some unbelievable moments on sessions from 54th. Last Polka is brilliant. Lots of bands rushed in the late 90’s. God you should’ve heard the version of Radiohead’s “Just” they played in seattle ‘95. After that tour Phil was like a metronome, but BF5 came from the DIY scene. For other examples of DIY energy over precision, see At The Drive In. THAT’s chaotic. I’ll give you that this versions no good. The drummer kept missing a snare hit so bad I thought the tape was skipping. But tv back then especially, was generally awful sounding for the artists. Anyways.

[@williamslater-vf5ym]

This performance on Conan was the first time I heard of the band, and I liked it so much I went out and bought the album. So whether or not it's flawed doesn't matter to me

[@clydecycle]

It wasn't their best performance, but it is still amazing