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Ben Folds Five — Alice Childress
Album: Ben Folds Five
Avg rating:
6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 343









Released: 1995
Length: 4:33
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Some summers in the evening after 6 or so
I walk on down the hill
And maybe buy a beer
I think about my friends
Sometimes I wish they lived out here
But they wouldn't dig this town
No, they wouldn't dig this town

Try not to think about it, Alice Childress
Try not to think about it anymore
Try not to think about it, Alice Childress
Anymore
No, not anymore, oh

Alice, the world is full of ugly things
That you can't change
Pretend it's not that way
It's my idea of faith
You can blow it off
And say there's good in nearly everyone
Just give them all a chance
Now let's give them all a chance

Try not to think about it, Alice Childress
Try not to think about it anymore
Try not to think about it, Alice Childress
Anymore
No, not anymore, oh

No, it didn't work out
No, it didn't work out the way we thought it would
No, it didn't work out
(An arranged marriage is not so good)

Thank God it's you
You know, your timing is impeccable
And I'm not fooling you
I don't know what to do
Some dude just knocked me cold
And left me on the sidewalk
Took everything I had
And everything I had

Try not to think about it, Alice Childress
Try not to think about it anymore
It's getting late where you are, Alice Childress
Anymore
No, not anymore
Anymore
No, not anymore
Comments (110)add comment
First of all, more Ben Folds.

Secondly, I'll reiterate that the JPG for the cover of this album is incorrect.
Posted 14 years ago by ice-9    [ Reply ]
Rundgrenesque, definitely.  Also reminiscent of Joe Jackson.  Me likey.

Posted 14 years ago by justin_thyme    [ Reply ]
 jeffcourtney wrote:
No, not Steely Dan.... 


STEELY DAN TOO - no question!
I PREFER THE "VIBRATORS".
Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
INTELLECTUALS GO HOME!!!
Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 jeffcourtney wrote:
No, not Steely Dan, these guys are doing Todd Rundgren!
 
Agreed.  Reminds me of Rundgren too.
Posted 14 years ago by ghoffman    [ Reply ]
"1" — I don't think I like anything this band does............
Posted 14 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
Pallid..
Posted 14 years ago by vaiodon    [ Reply ]
No, not Steely Dan, these guys are doing Todd Rundgren!
Posted 14 years ago by jeffcourtney    [ Reply ]
I'm a recent Ben Folds convert and love all his solo stuff, but this doesn't do it for me, sorry.
Posted 14 years ago by Chipps    [ Reply ]
Take the worst part of Billy Joel and Harry Chapin, and you get...
...this.

3
Posted 14 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
70's soft pop?  bletch  {#Puke}

Posted 15 years ago by AmandaMaria    [ Reply ]
 musikalia wrote:
I'm surprised nobody (on this page at least, too lazy to check the other pages) mentioned the similarity to Steely Dan. Only Steely Dan is way better. Still, I'll give this a 7.
 
Hmmmm,  in what way?   I never would have made that connection, but I'm interested.    I'm a big Dan fan and really like Ben (especially later stuff) Seems like Steely Dan used a lot weirder chord structures and buried meaning of songs really deeply, where Ben seems pretty easy to follow.  He reminds me more of early Elton John - before he jumped the shark.

Posted 15 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
 wenatchee wrote:
hmm not getting it - I'm rather empty on this one
 

I agree..very boring.
Posted 15 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
I'm surprised nobody (on this page at least, too lazy to check the other pages) mentioned the similarity to Steely Dan. Only Steely Dan is way better. Still, I'll give this a 7.
Posted 15 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
 rtrudeau wrote:
This sounds like a song from a locally written and produced high school musical.
 
True, but Disney will probably buy it and make a bazillion dollars off the movie.

Posted 16 years ago by HarrO    [ Reply ]
"Ding! Third floor. Kitchen acccessories, plants, soft furnishings..."
Posted 16 years ago by brianlj    [ Reply ]
 junebaby65 wrote:
Todd Rundgrenish
 

Redolent
Posted 16 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Yeah, the cover art's wrong.
Posted 16 years ago by vivakitty    [ Reply ]
junebaby65 wrote:
Todd Rundgrenish
Rundgrenesque indeed!
Posted 16 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
But a great song all the same ......
Posted 16 years ago by davidstanford    [ Reply ]
Is this not the incorrect album cover?
Posted 16 years ago by davidstanford    [ Reply ]
hmm not getting it - I'm rather empty on this one
Posted 16 years ago by wenatchee    [ Reply ]
rtrudeau wrote:
This sounds like a song from a locally written and produced high school musical.
You sound like a tool.
Posted 16 years ago by natebett    [ Reply ]
Love this album. Ben Folds is great.
Posted 16 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Todd Rundgrenish
Posted 16 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
This sounds like a song from a locally written and produced high school musical.
Posted 16 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
Never could appreciate Ben Folds. Maybe I just miss the guitar too much.
Posted 16 years ago by SCprof    [ Reply ]
Alpine wrote:
Todd! Yes, I hear lots of his influence here. Todd is God!
John Lennon once called him Godd Rundgren, but sarcastically.
Posted 16 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
SpamNRice wrote:
TSk, tsk... you poor child... Todd was pretty damn cool in his day...
Todd! Yes, I hear lots of his influence here. Todd is God!
Posted 16 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Wow, has this ever gotten tiresome.
i think i hear an ending
Posted 16 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
Wow, has this ever gotten tiresome.
Posted 16 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
crazyossi wrote:
very good ! super beginning And then comes ......nothing ! only boring tries to sound like joe jackson ...
Joe Jackson, yes, interesting, I hear that
Posted 16 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
very good ! super beginning And then comes ......nothing ! only boring tries to sound like joe jackson ...
Posted 16 years ago by crazyossi    [ Reply ]
SpamNRice wrote:
TSk, tsk... you poor child... Todd was pretty damn cool in his day...
YEAH, I heard THAT! Todd could really SING; the guy had pipes like Carole King! He is still really weird, and still puts on a hell of a show; saw him at Shibuya AX a couple years ago, and apparently he spends most of his days mellowing out on the North Shore of Kauai, Hawaii...
Posted 17 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Am I the only one hearing him channel Joe Jackson? Excellent song. Alpine, you suck. really. I mean it. No, I am not being funny.
Posted 17 years ago by jeaster    [ Reply ]
DanaD wrote:
About as thrilling as an old Todd Rundgren song from the 70's -- look at their faces, they're bored too!
TSk, tsk... you poor child... Todd was pretty damn cool in his day...
Posted 17 years ago by SpamNRice    [ Reply ]
Alright all you throw-backs -- anyone hearing Todd Rundgren in this little ditty...? Anyone have some Todd to upload... Ah the sweet, hazy memories of youth ...
Posted 17 years ago by SpamNRice    [ Reply ]
youngj wrote:
Hey Alpine, the drunk guy at the party that no one thinks is funny called. He said he wants his over done jokes back.
Hey, the Jerk Store called, and they're running out of you!
Posted 17 years ago by ekeyte    [ Reply ]
youngj wrote:
Hey Alpine, the drunk guy at the party that no one thinks is funny called. He said he wants his over done jokes back.
That wasn't nice Youngj. You must be a passionate Ben Folds Five fan. Sorry I pissed you off. Now why don't you get back to your Nascar and cat fishin.
Posted 17 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
David_Watts wrote:
They've got the album wrong cover.. I do love "whatever and ever.." but try "naked baby photos" album which is quite good too imho.
Yeah this is off the self-titled album. Its got their polaroid photo sitting on a piano. The rest of the album cover is a bright saffron yellow. This album also features "Jackson Cannery", which I loved as a peppy silly fun song. "Big Brother's got the key and I got jackson cannery-ee-heee"
Posted 17 years ago by celadonstone    [ Reply ]
It gets me thinking of Alice B. Toklas (Gertrude Stein's lover). Did anybody see the Peter Sellers movie with that in the title?
Posted 17 years ago by Jack_Jefferson    [ Reply ]
About as thrilling as an old Todd Rundgren song from the 70's -- look at their faces, they're bored too!
Posted 17 years ago by DanaD    [ Reply ]
Ben Folds rocks w/ or w/o the "Five." The rest of you need to put down the cup and step away from the Haterade.
Posted 17 years ago by 99    [ Reply ]
element1 wrote:
How come this song is not listed on the album?
They've got the album wrong cover.. I do love "whatever and ever.." but try "naked baby photos" album which is quite good too imho.
Posted 17 years ago by David_Watts    [ Reply ]
How come this song is not listed on the album?
Posted 17 years ago by element1    [ Reply ]
Alpine wrote:
Hey Ben Folds!, Burt Baccharach is on the phone. He wants his sound back.
Hey Alpine, the drunk guy at the party that no one thinks is funny called. He said he wants his over done jokes back.
Posted 17 years ago by youngj    [ Reply ]
meower215 wrote:
I LOVE THIS SONG, and THIS ALBUM thanx!
o, I guess I said that already
Posted 17 years ago by meower    [ Reply ]
I LOVE THIS SONG, and THIS ALBUM thanx!
Posted 17 years ago by meower    [ Reply ]
Cat Stevens and Darius Rucker had a son? Good for them! lol Gag!
Posted 17 years ago by skidoo    [ Reply ]
Meh.
Posted 18 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
i love this song, actually I love this whole album
Posted 18 years ago by meower    [ Reply ]
Alpine wrote:
Hey Ben Folds!, Burt Baccharach is on the phone. He wants his sound back.
wow! you are actually talking to burt bacharach right now? tell him "hi" for me!
Posted 18 years ago by optimusprime10    [ Reply ]
According to Wikipedia: The song "Alice Childress" by Ben Folds Five is not related to her, it is a coincidence that there was a woman with the same name that poured water on Ben Folds' wife at the time, Anna Goodman
Posted 18 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
Hey Ben Folds!, Burt Baccharach is on the phone. He wants his sound back.
Posted 18 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
physicsgenius wrote:
The sucky cheesiness of Elton John, minus the singing ability.
And the piano sounds like something out of a Charlie Brown special.
Posted 18 years ago by drtjdel    [ Reply ]
Great band, but this is one of the weaker tunes on the album. And I think BF would be the first to admit he sounds a lot like Joe Jackson.
Posted 18 years ago by Duffalo    [ Reply ]
Alice Childress (1920-1994) was born in Charleston, South Carolina, but went to live with her maternal grandmother in Harlem at age nine after her parents separated. Upon completing her education in the public schools of New York, she began a career in the theater as actor, director, and playwright.
Posted 18 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
yuck - that's all I have to say about thaaat.
Posted 18 years ago by ndfan75    [ Reply ]
pigglywiggly wrote:
YES! 'Rent' is my vote
Exactly!! I thought I'd stumbled onto the Broadway channel for a minute.
Posted 18 years ago by theo    [ Reply ]
bobrk wrote:
Sounds like Joe Jackson from his late 80's period.
That's who I was thinking this was before I looked at the playlist. Wonder if that's intentional? And its not bad.
Posted 18 years ago by Marr    [ Reply ]
Lensles wrote:
It sounds like some song out of a musical. Dulllll.
YES! 'Rent' is my vote
Posted 18 years ago by pigglywiggly    [ Reply ]
Lensles wrote:
It sounds like some song out of a musical. Dulllll.
A bad musical.
Posted 18 years ago by pannaramma    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Joe Jackson from his late 80's period.
Posted 18 years ago by bobrk    [ Reply ]
It sounds like some song out of a musical. Dulllll.
Posted 18 years ago by Lensles    [ Reply ]
The sucky cheesiness of Elton John, minus the singing ability.
Posted 18 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
Nice song, love this group very much. A breath of fresh air from almost anything else out there, now or then. Hey RP! This is the wrong artwork for this track. What you've got here is "Whatever & Ever Amen" art.
Posted 18 years ago by keith_mineo    [ Reply ]
jdpinball wrote:
MORE BEN FOLDS!!
YES!
Posted 18 years ago by glassjawgrlxxx    [ Reply ]
wont buy the cd..but I wont change the channel either
Posted 18 years ago by katalyst    [ Reply ]
This album, and especially this song, just always feels like a soundtrack to the happier times of my teenage years... and considering I usually frame those years in terms of angst and the like, that's pretty special.
Posted 18 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
Sounds like the soundtrack of a TV series, only better!
Posted 18 years ago by lixy    [ Reply ]
MORE BEN FOLDS!!
Posted 18 years ago by jdpinball    [ Reply ]
Hey, um, we can get the song lyrics ourselves 'cause there's always a link to 'em - really - we're okay. But, uh - thanks anyways, Ben Folds Five is yucky too
Posted 18 years ago by meghan89    [ Reply ]
BFF = the best. hi-five to whoever uploaded this. a perfect monday morning song!!!
Posted 18 years ago by karlaanne    [ Reply ]
Nice song. The style sort of reminds me of the great Burt Baccharac.
Posted 18 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
killahfunkadelic wrote:
More BFF! and more simply BF too!
AMEN. This isn't my favorite Ben Folds song, but even his worst stuff ranks a 7 in my book. And AMAZING live.....
Posted 18 years ago by ChicagoEmily    [ Reply ]
kerouvian wrote:
Well, dear Mark, I agree that both Thom Yorke and the singer of Ben Folds Five do not always sing the right note, but the point is that Thom does it on purpose :)
So you've had personal conversations with both to know which one is "doing it on purpose"? I guess when Thom does it, it's art? Or creative? But if ANY singer you don't like is not pitch perfect, then they need singing lessons? Look, dear, if you are going to whine about someone's vocal style, try being a little more consistent and less contradictory in your arguement. :)
Posted 19 years ago by Mark1970    [ Reply ]
a very open and honest song.
Posted 19 years ago by StickerSticker    [ Reply ]
I must say, that Mr. Folds is a very puruposeful musician. I'd suggest that his vocals are very intentional. Part of the issue are the notes he chooses. They're not always wrong, as much as an unexpected choice. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I think he's amazing. kerouvian wrote:
.. Thom does it on purpose :)
Posted 19 years ago by Dahnyul    [ Reply ]
Well, Ben's debatable vocal notes aside, he does mangle more than a few notes on the piano. But then, if you've ever seen them live, he does more than mangle the keys. But that's a good thing. Here, less so. Likeable tune.
Posted 19 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
Love a good bit of piano pop!
Posted 19 years ago by winter    [ Reply ]
Love this song. Wrong album pic here, non?
Posted 19 years ago by fureanbode    [ Reply ]
rah wrote:
i think ben has a charming voice. boyish. he and yorke are apples and oranges.
both very talented songwriters. can't we all just get along? :)
Posted 19 years ago by Nuance    [ Reply ]
kerouvian wrote:
Well, dear Mark, I agree that both Thom Yorke and the singer of Ben Folds Five do not always sing the right note, but the point is that Thom does it on purpose :)
i think ben has a charming voice. boyish. he and yorke are apples and oranges.
Posted 19 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
Mark1970 wrote:
That's funny considering you have Radiohead in your highest ranked songs...... ever heard 'ol Thom in concert? Not exactly the voice of an angel....
Well, dear Mark, I agree that both Thom Yorke and the singer of Ben Folds Five do not always sing the right note, but the point is that Thom does it on purpose :)
Posted 19 years ago by kerouvian    [ Reply ]
kerouvian wrote:
somebody teach him some singing lessons please, and SOON
That's funny considering you have Radiohead in your highest ranked songs...... ever heard 'ol Thom in concert? Not exactly the voice of an angel....
Posted 19 years ago by Mark1970    [ Reply ]
somebody teach him some singing lessons please, and SOON
Posted 19 years ago by kerouvian    [ Reply ]
Johray63 wrote:
It's got lots of Todd Rundgren and (other) early to mid seventies influences in it. Still, original enough, contemporary sounding and definitely very musical. Great harmonics.
Good call on the Toddesque nature. Nice to hear.
Posted 19 years ago by dadofsammy    [ Reply ]
timandjuliet wrote:
Love but have never understood it. An arranged marriage?
it is obscure, huh? sadly, i don't know enough about alice childress or her work to know why he's invoking her in this one. anyone else know what it's about?
Posted 19 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
Out - f***ing - standing, a solid 9 in my book.
Posted 19 years ago by Steve    [ Reply ]
JokesandJokesandJokes wrote:
Piano players give me wood
No the correct jokes are: 1) Piano Players do it with their fingers. 2) What sound does it make when you drop piano down a mine shaft? ..... A flat Minor.
Posted 19 years ago by psycholynx    [ Reply ]
More Ben! Contrary to Bens parting words when the band split up, people do give a sh*t about piano rock!
Posted 19 years ago by Cannon    [ Reply ]
A nice addition to the play list. Thanks!
Posted 19 years ago by preacher    [ Reply ]
It's got lots of Todd Rundgren and (other) early to mid seventies influences in it. Still, original enough, contemporary sounding and definitely very musical. Great harmonics.
Posted 19 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
:nodhead:
Posted 19 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
Love but have never understood it. An arranged marriage?
Posted 19 years ago by timandjuliet    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this disc in awhile. This is absolutely the BEST BFF CD available (also the first, if I recall). This song isn't the best from the list but still very good. If you appreciate good music, please do yourself a favor and pick up this CD!
Posted 19 years ago by jbwiv    [ Reply ]
Have this disk here in the house somewhere. Will have to dig it out and put it back in the CD player... good stuff.
Posted 19 years ago by Cyclehawk    [ Reply ]
Monotonous. And the singer is kinda thin-sounding.
Posted 19 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
Very Andrew Gold... 70s West Coast harmonies. Sweet.
Posted 19 years ago by Malc    [ Reply ]
More BFF! and more simply BF too!
Posted 19 years ago by killahfunkadelic    [ Reply ]
Thanks for playing what seems like more Ben Folds lately. And now that the Christmas season is upon us -- thanks for NOT playing Brick, the song that all the FM stations seem to think is season-appropriate just because it has the word "Christmas" in it. I'm sure Ben didn't intend for his song about abortion to become a Christmas classic!
Posted 19 years ago by ginger    [ Reply ]
I don't understand why more of this album isn't on the playlist. :-k
Posted 19 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
He's great live. He will often get the crowd to sing in parts which is always pretty exciting....(and they're usually a musically intelligent demographic so it actually sounds decent...) I see a lack of negative comments... hmmm..mebbe Bill might play a bit more BF....
Posted 19 years ago by shell    [ Reply ]
I think Freddie Mercury faked his death just so he could change genres.
Posted 19 years ago by maddmatt    [ Reply ]
after meeting Ben and the Five backstage at a gig in St Kilda, Melbourne (the one in Australia), I have been a strong fan and loved all his stuff, he is a great showman and a nice bloke too!!! rock on ben !!!
Posted 20 years ago by richharris    [ Reply ]
Hoorah, Alice Childress! This was the song that introduced me to BFF years back. The line "thank god it's you...your timing is impeccable" always gets to me. Always happy to hear BFF, but this song has a particularly special place in my heart.
Posted 20 years ago by alicewonderland    [ Reply ]
frannyfran wrote:
thanks a million for playing BFF!!!! keep it up!
About bloody time is what I say! Ta!
Posted 20 years ago by shell    [ Reply ]
Piano players give me wood
Posted 20 years ago by JokesandJokesandJokes    [ Reply ]
thanks a million for playing BFF!!!! keep it up!
Posted 20 years ago by frannyfran    [ Reply ]