Songs for Silverman
Encyclopedia
Songs for Silverman is an album
by Ben Folds
, first released on April 26, 2005, by Epic Records
in the United States
. The album reached #13 on the Billboard 200
, making it Folds' highest-charting album until the release of Way to Normal
in September 2008.
The album is named after Ben Goldman, Folds' former A&R
representative at Sony BMG. Folds explained, "I was always sending songs to him for the album, so I wanted to name it after him. But somebody (from Sony) found out and flipped out, so I changed it a bit and turned it in." http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3298162,00.html Goldman's name also spawned the title of Folds' compilation album Songs for Goldfish
.
and #40 on the Adult Top 40. The planned UK issue was cancelled, though the single was treated to a digital-only release.
The single "Jesusland" reached #42 on the UK airplay chart on 2 October 2005. It has also been playlisted by Xfm London
and BBC Radio 2
(which lists it as "download only"). The track was slated for a UK single release on 12 September 2005, but it was mysteriously deleted and never made it to store shelves. The video for this single features Matt Lucas
as a televangelist interspersed with scenes of a journey through what may well be "Jesusland" itself. The track was also featured in the 2008 documentary "Religulous
" starring Bill Maher.
The next single in the UK, "Late," which was written as a tribute to the then recently deceased singer/songwriter Elliott Smith
, was playlisted by XFM.
The song "Gracie", track five on the album, is written about Folds' daughter of the same name. His son Louis had a song written for him on Rockin' the Suburbs
, Folds' 2001 studio release, called "Still Fighting It
".
"Weird Al" Yankovic
, who directed Folds' video for "Rockin' the Suburbs
," contributes backing vocals to "Time."
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
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...
, first released on April 26, 2005, by Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The album reached #13 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, making it Folds' highest-charting album until the release of Way to Normal
Way to Normal
Way to Normal is a 2008 studio album by Ben Folds. It was released on 30 September 2008 in the United States and on 29 September 2008 in the United Kingdom...
in September 2008.
The album is named after Ben Goldman, Folds' former A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
representative at Sony BMG. Folds explained, "I was always sending songs to him for the album, so I wanted to name it after him. But somebody (from Sony) found out and flipped out, so I changed it a bit and turned it in." http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3298162,00.html Goldman's name also spawned the title of Folds' compilation album Songs for Goldfish
Songs for Goldfish
Songs for Goldfish is a Ben Folds album of live and unreleased tracks packaged with Songs for Silverman and released through Ben Folds' website...
.
Singles
The first single, "Landed," reached #77 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and #40 on the Adult Top 40. The planned UK issue was cancelled, though the single was treated to a digital-only release.
The single "Jesusland" reached #42 on the UK airplay chart on 2 October 2005. It has also been playlisted by Xfm London
Xfm London
Xfm London is a commercial radio station in the United Kingdom owned by Global Radio and broadcasts on 104.9 FM in London, on digital radio via 30 DAB multiplexes across the country, Sky, TalkTalk TV and Virgin Media....
and BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
(which lists it as "download only"). The track was slated for a UK single release on 12 September 2005, but it was mysteriously deleted and never made it to store shelves. The video for this single features Matt Lucas
Matt Lucas
Matthew Richard "Matt" Lucas is an English comedian, screenwriter and actor best known for his acclaimed work with David Walliams in the television show Little Britain; as well as for his portrayals of the scorekeeping baby George Dawes in the comedy panel game Shooting Stars, Tweedledee and...
as a televangelist interspersed with scenes of a journey through what may well be "Jesusland" itself. The track was also featured in the 2008 documentary "Religulous
Religulous
Religulous is a 2008 American comic documentary film written by and starring comedian Bill Maher and directed by Larry Charles. The title of the film is a portmanteau derived from the words "religion" and "ridiculous"; the documentary examines and mocks organized religion and religious...
" starring Bill Maher.
The next single in the UK, "Late," which was written as a tribute to the then recently deceased singer/songwriter Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith
Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and resided for a significant portion of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity...
, was playlisted by XFM.
The song "Gracie", track five on the album, is written about Folds' daughter of the same name. His son Louis had a song written for him on Rockin' the Suburbs
Rockin' the Suburbs
Rockin’ the Suburbs is an alternative rock album by singer/songwriter Ben Folds, released on September 11, 2001 . His first solo album after leaving his band Ben Folds Five , Rockin’ the Suburbs is also Folds' most popular LP to date, and includes the...
, Folds' 2001 studio release, called "Still Fighting It
Still Fighting It
"Still Fighting It" is a song by Ben Folds released in 2002 as the second single from his 2001 album Rockin' the Suburbs. The song is a bittersweet ode to the pain of adolescence dedicated to his son Louis. He would later write an accompanying song for his daughter Gracie on the 2005 album Songs...
".
"Weird Al" Yankovic
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
, who directed Folds' video for "Rockin' the Suburbs
Rockin' the Suburbs (song)
"Rockin' the Suburbs" is a song by Ben Folds on the album of the same name. It is Ben Folds' biggest solo hit so far, gaining radio and MTV airplay .- Music and lyrics :Folds...
," contributes backing vocals to "Time."
Track listing
DVD listing
- "The Making of Songs for Silverman"
- "Live Performances"
- "Interviews"
- "Behind the Scene Footage"