Underground (Ben Folds Five song)
Encyclopedia
"Underground" is a song from Ben Folds Five
's 1995 self-titled debut album. It was written by Ben Folds
. The song is about geeks and social outcasts looking for solace in numbers in underground music and art scenes. It peaked at #37 on the UK Singles Chart
. The track was #3 for the year of 1996 on Australia's Triple J Hottest 100
.
has spoken of feeling a social outcast at times and finding it hard to make friends as a child because his family was constantly moving. As he found initial success with the band Majosha
and then forming Ben Folds Five with Darren Jessee
and Robert Sledge
, he began to recognize members of his audiences as similar types of outcasts. He noted that these types of people, who were in search of their own identities, would often find themselves gravitating towards the underground scenes (punk
, ska
, hardcore
, etc.) of independent music. They would latch onto the scenes with particular fervor.
"Underground" is both an ode to and castigation of these type of people, as well as the perceived notions of the underground scene looking in from the outside. As Folds says:
A catchy, raucous romp laced with falsetto, the track became the first international commercial single and first U.S. radio single from the album Ben Folds Five
. It introduced the band to the world and remains the most well-known track on the album and one of the most well-known songs of the band's career, second only to "Brick
".
The song was among the most popular performed at Ben Folds Five
concerts. It featured a degree of audience participation akin to the cult midnight screenings of the 1975 film The Rocky Horror Picture Show
, including coordinated sound effects and retorts to various lines throughout the song. Folds continues to perform the song occasionally during his solo career.
version appears with the original album cut on a 1995 promotional CD sent to radio programmers in the United States
, as well as a CD sent to the United Kingdom
for the same purpose. The radio edit version also appears on a second promotional CD for the United Kingdom released in 1996.
The second edited version, a shortened version of the album cut of the song, was released as a commercial CD single in the United Kingdom
in April 1996 by Vital Distribution
for Passenger
/Caroline
. This version was released on a 7" vinyl single in the U.K. at the same time. A second 7" vinyl single was released in the U.K. in September 1996.
A live audio version of the song was released in August, 1996, in the United Kingdom by Vital Distribution as part of a 2-disc CD single set. Recorded August 12, 1995, at Ziggy's
in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, by John Alagia
and Doug Derryberry, this live version appears with the album cut of the song on the second disc of the set. The first disc of the set features the second edited studio version of the song.
The live audio version also appears on the 1998 compilation and rarities album Naked Baby Photos
.
A live video version, filmed in New York on June 9, 1997, for the PBS program Sessions at West 54th
, appears on the 2001 music concert DVD Ben Folds Five - The Complete Sessions at West 54th
.
to promote the song and the album Ben Folds Five
. Features the album cut of the song and a radio edit version that differs from a second edit found on the commercial single releases.
to promote the song and the album Ben Folds Five
. Features the album cut of the song and a radio edit version that differs from a second edit found on the commercial single releases.
by Vital Distribution
for Passenger
/Caroline
. Features a second edited version of the song that is shorter than the album cut but longer than the radio edit version.
by Vital Distribution
for Passenger
/Caroline
. Features a second edited version of the song that is shorter than the album cut but longer than the radio edit version.
to promote the song and the album Ben Folds Five
. Features the radio edit version that differs from the edit found on the commercial single releases. The other tracks on the single were recorded live on August 12, 1995, at Ziggy's
in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, by John Alagia
and Doug Derryberry. The tracks were mixed by Alagia, Derryberry, and John Altschiller at Bias Recording Studios in Springfield, Virginia
, and were mastered by Dave Glasser at Airshow in Springfield. "Satan is My Master" also appears on Naked Baby Photos
.
by Vital Distribution
for Passenger
/Caroline
. Features a second edited version of the song on the first disc that is shorter than the album cut but longer than the radio edit version. The album cut and a live version of the song appear on the second disc. The other tracks were recorded live on August 12, 1995, at Ziggy's
in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, by John Alagia
and Doug Derryberry. The tracks were mixed by Alagia, Derryberry, and John Altschiller at Bias Recording Studios in Springfield, Virginia
, and were mastered by Dave Glasser at Airshow in Springfield. The live version of "Underground" and "Satan is My Master" both also appear on Naked Baby Photos
.
Disc One
Disc Two
Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five is an alternative rock trio formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The group comprises Ben Folds , Robert Sledge , and Darren Jessee . The group achieved mainstream success in the alternative, indie and pop music scenes...
's 1995 self-titled debut album. It was written by Ben Folds
Ben Folds
Benjamin Scott "Ben" Folds is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and television personality. From 1995-2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. Since the group disbanded, Folds has performed as a solo artist and has toured all over the world...
. The song is about geeks and social outcasts looking for solace in numbers in underground music and art scenes. It peaked at #37 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The track was #3 for the year of 1996 on Australia's Triple J Hottest 100
Triple J Hottest 100, 1996
The 1996 Triple J Hottest 100, counted down in January 1997, was a countdown of the most popular songs of the year, according to listeners of the Australian radio station Triple J. A CD featuring 31 of the songs was released. A countdown of the videos of most of the songs was also shown on the ABC...
.
History
Ben FoldsBen Folds
Benjamin Scott "Ben" Folds is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and television personality. From 1995-2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. Since the group disbanded, Folds has performed as a solo artist and has toured all over the world...
has spoken of feeling a social outcast at times and finding it hard to make friends as a child because his family was constantly moving. As he found initial success with the band Majosha
Majosha
Majosha was a band formed around early 1988 with Ben Folds on bass, Millard Powers on guitar, and Dave Rich on drums. They played their first show at Duke University's Battle of the Bands in 1988 and won. Majosha released an EP, Party Night: Five Songs About Jesus in 1988, which contained four...
and then forming Ben Folds Five with Darren Jessee
Darren Jessee
Darren Jessee is an American musician and songwriter. He is perhaps best known as the drummer for the alternative rock group Ben Folds Five...
and Robert Sledge
Robert Sledge
Robert Sledge is an American musician, best known for his work with Ben Folds Five.-Biography:Robert Sledge began playing bass guitar at the age of eleven. His brother was playing guitar at his house so he also learned how to play the guitar at the same time...
, he began to recognize members of his audiences as similar types of outcasts. He noted that these types of people, who were in search of their own identities, would often find themselves gravitating towards the underground scenes (punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
, hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, etc.) of independent music. They would latch onto the scenes with particular fervor.
"Underground" is both an ode to and castigation of these type of people, as well as the perceived notions of the underground scene looking in from the outside. As Folds says:
A catchy, raucous romp laced with falsetto, the track became the first international commercial single and first U.S. radio single from the album Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five (album)
Ben Folds Five is the self-titled debut album by Ben Folds Five, released in 1995. A non-traditional rock album by any estimation, it was an indie pop album that excluded lead guitars completely...
. It introduced the band to the world and remains the most well-known track on the album and one of the most well-known songs of the band's career, second only to "Brick
Brick (song)
"Brick" is a song performed by Ben Folds Five released on their 1997 album Whatever and Ever Amen and later on Ben Folds Live. The verses were written by Ben Folds about his high school girlfriend undergoing an abortion, and the chorus was written by the band's drummer, Darren Jessee...
".
The song was among the most popular performed at Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five is an alternative rock trio formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The group comprises Ben Folds , Robert Sledge , and Darren Jessee . The group achieved mainstream success in the alternative, indie and pop music scenes...
concerts. It featured a degree of audience participation akin to the cult midnight screenings of the 1975 film The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the 1975 film adaptation of the British rock musical stageplay, The Rocky Horror Show, written by Richard O'Brien. The film is a parody of B-movie, science fiction and horror films of the late 1940s through early 1970s. Director Jim Sharman collaborated on the...
, including coordinated sound effects and retorts to various lines throughout the song. Folds continues to perform the song occasionally during his solo career.
Additional versions
Two distinct edited versions of the song exist. A radio editRadio edit
In music, a radio edit is a modification to make a song more suitable for airplay, whether it be adjusted for length, profanity, subject matter, instrumentation, or form...
version appears with the original album cut on a 1995 promotional CD sent to radio programmers in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, as well as a CD sent to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
for the same purpose. The radio edit version also appears on a second promotional CD for the United Kingdom released in 1996.
The second edited version, a shortened version of the album cut of the song, was released as a commercial CD single in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in April 1996 by Vital Distribution
PIAS UK Distribution
[PIAS] UK Distribution is the distribution arm of the [PIAS] Entertainment Group and is the United Kingdom's largest independent sales, marketing and distribution company. Founded in 1993 as Vital Distribution, Ltd., and renamed in 2005, [PIAS] UK represents over 100 record labels from around the...
for Passenger
Passenger Records
Passenger Records was a New York-based boutique record label that released music by Adult Album Alternative artists. A subsidiary of Caroline Records, it was owned by Virgin Records/EMI. Its albums were distributed by Caroline Distribution in the US and Virgin or a variety of smaller labels...
/Caroline
Caroline Records
Caroline Records started out as a subsidiary of Richard Branson's Virgin Records label during the early to mid 1970s. The label originally specialized in putting out budget price LPs by mainly progressive rock and jazz artists generally not considered to have a great deal of 'mainstream' or...
. This version was released on a 7" vinyl single in the U.K. at the same time. A second 7" vinyl single was released in the U.K. in September 1996.
A live audio version of the song was released in August, 1996, in the United Kingdom by Vital Distribution as part of a 2-disc CD single set. Recorded August 12, 1995, at Ziggy's
Ziggy's
Ziggy's is a live music venue and bar in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Baity Street venue closed after Thanksgiving in 2007. Ziggy's reopened in Winston Salem, in a 14,000sq foot space on the corner of 8th and Trade St. in the Downtown Arts District on August 5, 2011.A former residence,...
in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, by John Alagia
John Alagía
John Alagía is an accomplished music producer. He is best known for his work with the Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer. Alagia is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and a graduate of Georgetown University...
and Doug Derryberry, this live version appears with the album cut of the song on the second disc of the set. The first disc of the set features the second edited studio version of the song.
The live audio version also appears on the 1998 compilation and rarities album Naked Baby Photos
Naked Baby Photos
Naked Baby Photos is a compilation album comprising outtake material from recordings of Ben Folds Five's first two studio albums and live performances. Most of the tracks are previously unreleased rarities....
.
A live video version, filmed in New York on June 9, 1997, for the PBS program Sessions at West 54th
Sessions at West 54th
Sessions at West 54th was an American television program that featured music performances, and was in some ways a pop music variation on the theme set by the long-lived Austin City Limits, though the featured musicians represented a number of musical genres. It was called Sessions at West 54th...
, appears on the 2001 music concert DVD Ben Folds Five - The Complete Sessions at West 54th
Ben Folds Five - The Complete Sessions at West 54th
Ben Folds Five – The Complete Sessions at West 54th, also referred to as Ben Folds Five - Live at Sessions at West 54th, is a DVD containing musical performances by Ben Folds Five. On June 9, 1997 Ben Folds Five was one of the first guests to appear on a new series called Sessions at West 54th...
.
U.S. promotional CD single
Released in 1995 to radio programmers in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to promote the song and the album Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five (album)
Ben Folds Five is the self-titled debut album by Ben Folds Five, released in 1995. A non-traditional rock album by any estimation, it was an indie pop album that excluded lead guitars completely...
. Features the album cut of the song and a radio edit version that differs from a second edit found on the commercial single releases.
- Underground (Radio Edit) – 3:17
- Underground (Album Version) – 4:20
UK promotional CD single
Released in 1995 to radio programmers in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to promote the song and the album Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five (album)
Ben Folds Five is the self-titled debut album by Ben Folds Five, released in 1995. A non-traditional rock album by any estimation, it was an indie pop album that excluded lead guitars completely...
. Features the album cut of the song and a radio edit version that differs from a second edit found on the commercial single releases.
- Underground (Radio Edit) – 3:17
- Underground (Album Version) – 4:20
UK commercial CD single
Released in April 1996 in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
by Vital Distribution
PIAS UK Distribution
[PIAS] UK Distribution is the distribution arm of the [PIAS] Entertainment Group and is the United Kingdom's largest independent sales, marketing and distribution company. Founded in 1993 as Vital Distribution, Ltd., and renamed in 2005, [PIAS] UK represents over 100 record labels from around the...
for Passenger
Passenger Records
Passenger Records was a New York-based boutique record label that released music by Adult Album Alternative artists. A subsidiary of Caroline Records, it was owned by Virgin Records/EMI. Its albums were distributed by Caroline Distribution in the US and Virgin or a variety of smaller labels...
/Caroline
Caroline Records
Caroline Records started out as a subsidiary of Richard Branson's Virgin Records label during the early to mid 1970s. The label originally specialized in putting out budget price LPs by mainly progressive rock and jazz artists generally not considered to have a great deal of 'mainstream' or...
. Features a second edited version of the song that is shorter than the album cut but longer than the radio edit version.
- Underground (Edit #2) – 3:36
- Sports & Wine (Album Version) – 2:58
- Boxing (Album Version) – 4:42
UK commercial 7" vinyl single
Released in April 1996 in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
by Vital Distribution
PIAS UK Distribution
[PIAS] UK Distribution is the distribution arm of the [PIAS] Entertainment Group and is the United Kingdom's largest independent sales, marketing and distribution company. Founded in 1993 as Vital Distribution, Ltd., and renamed in 2005, [PIAS] UK represents over 100 record labels from around the...
for Passenger
Passenger Records
Passenger Records was a New York-based boutique record label that released music by Adult Album Alternative artists. A subsidiary of Caroline Records, it was owned by Virgin Records/EMI. Its albums were distributed by Caroline Distribution in the US and Virgin or a variety of smaller labels...
/Caroline
Caroline Records
Caroline Records started out as a subsidiary of Richard Branson's Virgin Records label during the early to mid 1970s. The label originally specialized in putting out budget price LPs by mainly progressive rock and jazz artists generally not considered to have a great deal of 'mainstream' or...
. Features a second edited version of the song that is shorter than the album cut but longer than the radio edit version.
- Side A: Underground (Edit #2) – 3:36
- Side B: Sports & Wine (Album Version) – 2:58
Second UK promotional CD single
Released in 1996 to radio programmers in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to promote the song and the album Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five (album)
Ben Folds Five is the self-titled debut album by Ben Folds Five, released in 1995. A non-traditional rock album by any estimation, it was an indie pop album that excluded lead guitars completely...
. Features the radio edit version that differs from the edit found on the commercial single releases. The other tracks on the single were recorded live on August 12, 1995, at Ziggy's
Ziggy's
Ziggy's is a live music venue and bar in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Baity Street venue closed after Thanksgiving in 2007. Ziggy's reopened in Winston Salem, in a 14,000sq foot space on the corner of 8th and Trade St. in the Downtown Arts District on August 5, 2011.A former residence,...
in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, by John Alagia
John Alagía
John Alagía is an accomplished music producer. He is best known for his work with the Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer. Alagia is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and a graduate of Georgetown University...
and Doug Derryberry. The tracks were mixed by Alagia, Derryberry, and John Altschiller at Bias Recording Studios in Springfield, Virginia
Springfield, Virginia
Springfield is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States and a suburb of Washington, D.C. The Springfield CDP is recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau with a population of 30,484 as of the 2010 census. Homes and businesses in bordering CDPs including North Springfield,...
, and were mastered by Dave Glasser at Airshow in Springfield. "Satan is My Master" also appears on Naked Baby Photos
Naked Baby Photos
Naked Baby Photos is a compilation album comprising outtake material from recordings of Ben Folds Five's first two studio albums and live performances. Most of the tracks are previously unreleased rarities....
.
- Underground (Radio Edit) – 3:36
- Satan is My Master (Live) – 1:31
- Video (Live) – 4:10
UK commercial 2-CD single set
Released in April 1996 in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
by Vital Distribution
PIAS UK Distribution
[PIAS] UK Distribution is the distribution arm of the [PIAS] Entertainment Group and is the United Kingdom's largest independent sales, marketing and distribution company. Founded in 1993 as Vital Distribution, Ltd., and renamed in 2005, [PIAS] UK represents over 100 record labels from around the...
for Passenger
Passenger Records
Passenger Records was a New York-based boutique record label that released music by Adult Album Alternative artists. A subsidiary of Caroline Records, it was owned by Virgin Records/EMI. Its albums were distributed by Caroline Distribution in the US and Virgin or a variety of smaller labels...
/Caroline
Caroline Records
Caroline Records started out as a subsidiary of Richard Branson's Virgin Records label during the early to mid 1970s. The label originally specialized in putting out budget price LPs by mainly progressive rock and jazz artists generally not considered to have a great deal of 'mainstream' or...
. Features a second edited version of the song on the first disc that is shorter than the album cut but longer than the radio edit version. The album cut and a live version of the song appear on the second disc. The other tracks were recorded live on August 12, 1995, at Ziggy's
Ziggy's
Ziggy's is a live music venue and bar in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Baity Street venue closed after Thanksgiving in 2007. Ziggy's reopened in Winston Salem, in a 14,000sq foot space on the corner of 8th and Trade St. in the Downtown Arts District on August 5, 2011.A former residence,...
in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, by John Alagia
John Alagía
John Alagía is an accomplished music producer. He is best known for his work with the Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer. Alagia is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and a graduate of Georgetown University...
and Doug Derryberry. The tracks were mixed by Alagia, Derryberry, and John Altschiller at Bias Recording Studios in Springfield, Virginia
Springfield, Virginia
Springfield is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States and a suburb of Washington, D.C. The Springfield CDP is recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau with a population of 30,484 as of the 2010 census. Homes and businesses in bordering CDPs including North Springfield,...
, and were mastered by Dave Glasser at Airshow in Springfield. The live version of "Underground" and "Satan is My Master" both also appear on Naked Baby Photos
Naked Baby Photos
Naked Baby Photos is a compilation album comprising outtake material from recordings of Ben Folds Five's first two studio albums and live performances. Most of the tracks are previously unreleased rarities....
.
Disc One
- Underground (Radio Edit) – 3:36
- Satan is My Master (Live) – 1:31
- Video (Live) – 4:10
Disc Two
- Underground (Album Version) – 4:12
- Jackson Cannery (Live) – 4:05
- Underground (Live) – 5:14
Personnel
- Ben FoldsBen FoldsBenjamin Scott "Ben" Folds is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and television personality. From 1995-2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. Since the group disbanded, Folds has performed as a solo artist and has toured all over the world...
– pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Darren JesseeDarren JesseeDarren Jessee is an American musician and songwriter. He is perhaps best known as the drummer for the alternative rock group Ben Folds Five...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Robert SledgeRobert SledgeRobert Sledge is an American musician, best known for his work with Ben Folds Five.-Biography:Robert Sledge began playing bass guitar at the age of eleven. His brother was playing guitar at his house so he also learned how to play the guitar at the same time...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....