Ben Folds Five - Battle Of Who Could Care Less (Video Version)

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

In 1997, my workplace gave me a pager. Like a chump, I dutifully wore it thinking that I was really important. One of the features of it was that it would send news updates in sports news and entertainment. One of the updates was a review of whatever and ever amen. And just based on that small little text page, I went and bought the CD. That was the ONLY worthwhile page I ever got on that damn thing.

[@stephenkennedy8305]

By 97 pagers were dead.

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

@@stephenkennedy8305 go back and tell my boss. He used them like ankle bracelets.

[@delvis1]

@@JamieSmith-fz2mz 🤣🤣

[@Bildade]

This Band got me through High School and definitely brings back incredible memories ❤️. One of the greatest most underrated bands of the 90s.

[@corytubes6348]

Totally agree!!!

[@mungweasel4963]

Lol this band is getting me through 2021!

[@ourgiguerefamily6253]

Yeah one of the best bands I'm 11 years old and play the drums

[@ourgiguerefamily6253]

One of the best!!

[@sarahjoelle4286]

@@ourgiguerefamily6253 I turned 40 today. 15 year old me played this CD non-stop in my Discman.

[@SandiByrd]

Honestly one of the most underrated bands ever.

[@cmotdibbler8105]

Yeah man. These guys improved my brain

[@erickmorales8344]

Well said Ben folds gets my day going in such a good day

[@wonderwalledit]

God yes

[@adamlayneandersen]

Ben is fine. ❤

[@adamlayneandersen]

You’re my hero, I confess. ❤

[@Geekman333]

This guy's songwriting is so simple, honest and eloquent he just makes me smile. Fucking awesome shit!

[@WaitingForTheHook]

It's ANYTHING but simple.

[@jacksmith4460]

@@WaitingForTheHook exactly what I thought, its very sophisticated IMO. Maybe complex is the wrong term, but sophisticated? yeh for sure and NOT simple

[@byff2323]

I miss 1997; 19 years old, just joined the Air Force, being stationed outside of Seattle, all my buddies, some great tunes on the radio!

[@eilidhkwood]

97 I was 10 but this song became my teenage anthem

[@FenderBassMustang]

I haven't heard this song since 1997. Brings back a lot of nostalgic memories, especially the Rockford Files reference. I hear a very strong Steely Dan influence in this song. I can definitely imagine Donald Fagen playing and singing this.

[@juliejoannebevan6617]

With a few touches of Gerard Kenny, too. He's a singer-songwriter from NYC who's been based in the UK for most of his career; his compositions include 'New York (So Good They Named It Twice)' and Barry Manilow's hit 'I Made It Through The Rain'.

[@marylapara1379]

This song reminds me of the best time of my life. Ben folds has a unique and beautiful voice.

[@Goctagon]

Absolutely

[@inktown2theyak]

I know right😕Time has flew by✈Wow 1997 smh

[@HughRaine]

:)

[@Wintis_Swizzle]

‘96 summer. Amazing times

[@IvanCampoMusic]

It is a crime that this doesn't have millions of views!

[@benphone7430]

Ivan Campo it is a crime that the views not the content matters, go play in traffic

[@steveforest8385]

This song is too complicated for idiots to understand - which is probably why it doesn't have millions of views.

[@SimpleXI]

Steve Forest Bingo.

[@andrewjenkinson8948]

No, it isn't.

[@alexandrahempsall7610]

I didnt even know about him until I watched a Ted talk on something about music analytics. Someone did a speech on just how genius his piano skills really are.

[@Dycedchicken]

This is one of my favorite songs love the band

[@nauticalnun407]

I love Ben's smile at 14 seconds!

[@adamlayneandersen]

Best band ever. “Sometimes I wish I was that way”❤

[@matthewgetz1016]

This was the first song I ever heard by Ben. I now have almost all of his solo albums and works with Ben Folds Five. He is a phenomenal lyricist and musician.

[@Wintis_Swizzle]

Matthew Getz I’ve got his book on kindle but I’m scared to read it because BFF never make new stuff and this is the account from the brains behind it all.

[@Sumitsu02]

Same! Instantly hooked on this band.

[@JoeFox23]

This song digs straight into the late-teen college stoner mindset, at least for me.

[@bryanlima9566]

Back in high school we had a teacher who would always get lost in her speech, freeze and gaze into nowhere. My friends and myself used to sing the intro of this piece to prank her. Oh, I miss these days.

[@zackspiker_]

That’s fucking rad!

[@c8tlinfarris]

Anyone who can read music and/or play piano and other instruments will TOTALLY understand how talented this guy is...most just can't appreciate because music is it's own language...

[@JayP7178]

Well said. 👍

[@EuphoniaPooch]

I love his sarcasm. " You're my hero, I confess ". Maybe the funniest serious songwriter I've ever heard.

[@adamferree2756]

+EuphoniaPooch that's why I love Ben. His songs are hilarious, yet they're serious

[@handsomeX]

Yup. And Rockford Files rocks!

[@jamesfield2442]

Brick, is amazing

[@leadcreekmusic]

The line means that he really did think the person was cool, even though he was pointing out the irony of their actions. It’s a confession, pure and simple.

[@spitstainoof2475]

stephen lynch is insanely funny

[@jamiefoyers2800]

Haven't heard this track in years. Have to chuckle at the "Rockford Files" reference...I always mind the theme tune of that growing up as a kid before getting packed off to bed for school the next day!.

[@jamiedale5785]

I loved at 17 and love it now. Still fighting the same battle.....

[@teddyhose]

This was the most original song on the radio when it was. I think everyone was looking to move on from guitar rock, and this came out of left field. At least for me, I like it more than Brick and it was one of the songs that led me to explore jazz more.

[@PeteZolli]

Yeah, I heard this one out of the blue on the radio when it was new and became an instant fan. :)

[@chadsknnr]

Welcome to the Ninties, when radio was still interesting . . . .

[@litlnemo]

@@PeteZolli Me too! It was just TOO GOOD.

[@atomzero1]

I remember the first time I heard them, it was pretty refreshing.

[@DaveAndBeth1978]

I played this album like mad in 1997... Ben Folds Five, Eels, Beck, Mansun, Dreadzone, Death In Vegas, The Future Sound Of London - there were some truly awesome acts coming out of the ether in those days... Seems so long ago now!

[@kato76109]

Love this song the first time I heard it in 1996. Love it even more now. The singing harmony, the instruments, the piano, the lyrics. That bassline is AWESOME!

[@jacksmith4460]

I've literally just listened to this track 5 times in a row

[@litlnemo]

A GenX anthem for sure. Maybe THE GenX anthem.

[@SunshineClementine]

You're my hero, I confess. x

[@NicHills]

omg - I love tis track - takes me back to such a free and happy place in my life - :)

[@nefertitiblanco383]

Indeed

[@davidcard1574]

I second that

[@jamesbyersmusic]

I was 15 when this came out, thought I knew it all and this become one of my all time favourite songs. Now, I'm 40, I know less than I thought I did, but this is still one of my all time favourite songs!!

[@la_gamine88]

Haha agree! Funny how that happens

[@michaelpickersgill5665]

"BEN. THAT DRUMMER FUCKIN ROCKS!" Best shout out at a gig ever. I still chuckle, as I'm sure Ben does.

[@ayngemac]

Love Ben's smirk at the camera at 00:13. LOL

[@earthtear9586]

ayngemac Me too! I can't tell if it's sarcastic or not but either way it makes me smile. :)

[@ethanstayner1463]

Ben Folds, the original Jim Halpert

[@artsyterra8350]

that feeling when you finally found a song you've been looking for 😌

[@BlackToof]

On a Ben Folds 5 kick this morning, brings me back.

[@dfakjdf35]

Chapel Hill, 1999... What great days... Never take a moment for granted...

[@bscherer90]

I had a friend like this in high school. He never gave a fuck about anything, or at least he'd act like he didn't. Everyone was so jealous of him cuz he was so "chill", but he seemed miserable to me. Hope he's doing alright, cuz he always scored us weed.

[@dudemannrod]

27 years ago this was the song and video that introduced me to Ben Folds and the Five.

[@pashanon]

Superb musicality

[@masterofdisguise7112]

This song is genius. It’s written on the whole tone scale. For anyone who doesn’t know, that means every note on the scale is a whole step apart. It’s fucking terrible most of the time, and he makes it work. Ben folds is genius.

[@carterstephen8138]

A lot of the time the whole tone scale actually has a pentatonic kind of effect. Its very hard to play something that sounds bad, and if you fiddle around enough you'll probably find something cool. Ben is really musically impressive and this song does show that off but not because of the scale.

[@doce7606]

'written on' what is meant by that please? i could interpret that variously. like the harmony uses only chords from one whole tone scale so the major chords have #11, or there are modes of sy, harmonic major..?... Please outline the changes and illustrate what you mean...

[@AndrewPalmerJazz]

The chords are regular major chords. But the chord roots move by whole tone (on the verses). The melody more or less comes from the major scale of the chord. Then when it gets to the hook, it's a normal pop song.

[@baronmeduse]

As Andrew Palmer said, this isn't a whole tome song, it employs it in a minor way. It doesn't sound 'terrible most of the time', unless you think a great deal of Debussy sounds terrible? Or Kraftwerk's Spacelab?

[@christophermeggison2986]

Even though it's anti-chromatic, the end result here feels chromatic when you listen to it 😉

[@zedwardson]

Been a couple years since I listened to Ben Folds Five, time to get back into listening to them...

[@red.5475]

Highly underrated band, filled with underrated musicians.

[@elizabethlwoodworth]

Do you remember how much you loved these guys when they came out? Lord!

[@cardboardconflicts]

I played the shit out of this album back in the day!

[@jeffa4110]

why did you stop? It's still the day!

[@cardboardconflicts]

@@jeffa4110 I mean yes…just saying I don’t listen to music like I did in HS for hours at a time. I love this album so much though.

[@MrHk2]

Brilliant song writer and musician could listen to Benfolds all day long.

[@FerrariKangaroo]

HOW ON EARTH, does this track only have 784,000 views :( ? This song was the soundtrack to my teenage crew in Adelaide, South Australia at the time. The best of times. The best of Ben Folds.

[@BAwesomeDesign]

It goes without saying that the piano is perfection here.

[@valhallaforever1]

There needs to be more songs that mention Rockford Files. That's what this world needs.

[@diaryofahairandmakeupartist]

over here from watching 90's Top of the Pops on KZbin and wanted to remember these guys!

[@amysimmons8230]

Unearned unhappiness.... You're my hero, I confess.

[@Real-w4w]

What a great song and a really great year to be a college freshman!

[@Wintis_Swizzle]

Joseph Drayton best times to be alive ⭐️

[@freadbred999]

Yep being broke, but happy, friends parties great bands like BFF, contemporary alt rock was evolving from grunge/metal ballads, to jazz/upbeat sounds. Both were great at their times tho. Ramen was a major source of nourishment, shitbox car, crazy relationships,road trips ect. Yeah I miss it all too.

[@natsthename]

I can't believe this is 25 years old.

[@garyhenson117]

Inspired lyrics from Ben Folds! The phrase "Unearned unhappiness", however, was coined by William Styron in his 1979 novel "Sophie's Choice" about idle people made morose by trivial concerns.

[@edpoe1108]

It really sums up the 90's experience for twenty-somethings at that time too. At least here in the US.

[@okrajoe]

General Apathy and Major Boredom -- that would be a great band name. Gotta go watch Rockford Files.

[@DeansVideoClips]

Agreed this song is awful! I came here from Ben Folds 'Do It Anyway' which was fantastic! (Opposite to this).

[@thekout]

@@DeansVideoClips big bruh moment

[@mikeymillions1486]

Reminds me of How I Met Your Mother. Ted and Robin would salute both of them.

[@nickl2854]

@@DeansVideoClips what?

[@JoeHasABadUsername]

Omg I only just realised the pun. Ben’s a great songwriter heh

[@manweller1]

I so so miss the 90s :0(

[@djlobb]

+manweller1 Not all 90's music was this good, but I digress.

[@manweller1]

Djlobb 90s R&B was on form throughout the 90s. I loved this song as it reminds me of my days as a student.

[@djlobb]

manweller1 Yeah, the RnB scene was pretty tasty!

[@newman447]

ahh mate.....

[@BlancoToldYou]

+djlobb yes(this is my other account lol) everything wasn't about twerking rims blow jobs and being disrespectful to ppl different than u... It's sad how superficial ppl have become .... #SimplicityIsBeautyIsSimplicity I live by that mantra and I won't conform to societies standards ... I love being a boring simple gray dry sense of humor having AfroLatina who appreciates music like this ... This is classic and very underrated

[@spacy7test812]

such a great song

[@absentstars474]

1997 was a great year.

[@ilovetrance3036]

The 90s..... last decade of good music...nuff said

[@christie8726]

The lyrics😆😆😆. So clever. I heard them on Saturday Night Live back in the 90's and went out and bought their album.

[@dumbbuff]

The composition is brilliant. So many little things.

[@pam164]

Love this song was out when i was so in love with a guy and all these years later I'm back with him in this song.

[@morbels]

Does anyone even notice how great the drums are on this one? Sure, piano, vocals and bass are also very perfect.

[@jonh901271]

+Mor Bels Most definitely.

[@Halliday7895]

+Mor Bels Darren Jesse Baby...hes awesome His jazz abilities were needed to keep up with Bens Jazzy inflections....then Roberts bass is more Rock Punk Edgy tones that were sophisticated enough to maintain a Jazz feel all while they sang three part harmonies in a Pop world that had substance. I miss it...too much synthesized music out there today on the top 40 pop radio. Remember when 90s radio had cool bands like Oasis Silver Chair Ben Folds Real Big Fish haha all sorts of cool Rock and pop. I miss it. I was only 10 years old but I remember the 90s fondly .

[@PanasonicTooth]

I've got this on my car playlist and I don't think it's ever came on and me not tapping along with that sweet swing.

[@Rick-zw7zv]

0:46 love that fill

[@Wintis_Swizzle]

Darren Jesse ⭐️

[@ChickenSagittarius]

What a song, fantastic band, all great musicians, the bassist was always flawless and loved the distortion he added

[@seanhadgkiss1677]

Good song from a great band

[@caramason56]

A most excellent band and tune 😊❤️🌹

[@lavsmate]

The modern masterpeice of music.. Simply outstanding.....

[@jacksmith4460]

agreed a genuine Masterpiece of a Pop/Rock song, and very Unique too

[@victoria383]

"Why don't we pitch it to the Franklin fkn Mint" still cracks me up

[@KerayZ]

when I first heard this song about 13 years ago it was bliss. It gives me really great memories.

[@Farginicehole1051]

I'm gonna give you guys the secret! You play this song out on the streets. You'll pull all the Gen X out of the forest!

[@lindaroyer4429]

I am SOOOO glad this song popped into my head just now. ❤️❤️❤️ memory lane....

[@mattevans84]

It’s one of my favourites

[@KidFresh71]

Random how some songs just hit your soul, and stick with you for years and years. This is one of those tunes. "I know it's not your thing to care, I know it's cool to be so bored. It sucks me in when your'e aloof, it sucks me in, it sucks it works." I feel this!!

[@JimBCameron]

Reminds me of first kicking about with my now wife! :D

[@NickyT911]

I think he has an awesome voice.....love the band, love this song!!!!

[@cparks7800]

Ben Folds and associates=universally acclaimed musicians.

[@zeddblue]

I saw Ben folds solo in Murray Kentucky years ago and he was absolutely epic

[@hattree]

I'll never forget seeing them at the Flood Zone in Richmond. Watching Ben Folds beat the life out of and drag around a grand piano was an amazing performance.

[@rebel32degrees]

Love that The Five are back together. Can't wait to catch them on tour and hear the new studio tracks!

[@caseybauer5637]

Such a jam!

[@schoolybear1]

Great great stuff. Ben Folds is still outstanding solo... saw him the other night in Norfolk. The guy accompanying him said that the show that night was the best he had seen on their tour... nice :)

[@garyhenson117]

Love how the trio throttle up to play full-blown piano rock in the choruses and bridge.

[@duncanmathers76]

The little lift into the chorus slays me. And the drums are fucking superb 👌

[@elliotb1137]

At first I didn't really like this song, but it grew on me; it's now one of my favorite BF5 songs.

[@lestrat7356]

On a bad day is this my therapy to smile again....what ever and ever...amen...

[@somnambulist1965]

2022 and it is as brilliant as the first time i heard it

[@wdestrempsmecke]

This song goes right back to when my favorite shoe store at 46th and 6th in NYC was knocked down. Thank BF5. I haven’t had nice shoes since.

[@danieldougan269]

Ben Folds is my favorite artist, and it's not even close.

[@shawnholloway9186]

I can’t believe that I almost forgot about BF5. It’s amazing how many things that were so important just kind of fall out of our lives. Everything they’ve done is amazing imo.

[@DirtyHairy1]

this is a song I have not heard in a very long time

[@danielcropp8553]

This is a very important song for anyone who knows someone like this.

[@albertlevins9191]

That is so true. I have a best friend like this.

[@Heatherosie]

Ben Folds Five is just cool. That's my word for them. "Cool." I'm SO excited for the new album to come out on Tuesday!

[@Wintis_Swizzle]

Heather Ellis try some Jamiroquai too lass. Thank me later

[@theocold9256]

Cool jam. Great bass line and drum part. Awesome lyrical references. All around winner of a tune and Ben Folds sings like he looks.

[@MrDanielswife08]

I wish I would have discovered Ben Folds' music earlier! Dang, that man is a piano genius!

[@channelperl2144]

Amazing song by creative genius.

[@mbflips8460]

I love this song too much

[@kevathens]

Ben you're a near-generational talent. Make a post-pandemic pivot for us and write an lp.

[@runnerup9786]

Very talented band. Still sounds as original now as it did when it came out.

[@y2jfan462]

We’ve almost gotten it to 1,000,000 views, guys!

[@RazzleDazz72]

I’ve always enjoyed waking up late.

[@garethwilkinson3456]

This doesn't 'suck'. A favourite of a Swedish in Britain in my past. Sha-mone.

[@Mathieu32]

OMG! This takes me back to the carefree days of the late 90's!

[@SunshineClementine]

Love! x

[@johnriddlebaugh7436]

Deserves to be on a 90s Alternative Hits Compilation. Most underrated song by the band!

[@421Starlight]

Love this song your all dressed up like the cure