Ben Folds Five: Philosophy Meaning

Philosophy Lyrics

Won’t you look up at the skyline
At the mortar block and glass
And check out the reflections
In my eyes
You see they always
Used to be there
Even when this all was grass
And I sang and danced
About a high-rise

You were laughing at
My...

1. anonymous

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   Apr 16th 2015 !⃝

   Leute, der Song beschreibt sich selbst. Es geht um seine unzerstörbare philosophie,daran zu halten und um das sehen besonderer Dinge(Dinge die nur der sieht der mal in sich gegangen ist und das leben verstanden hat). Außerdem behandelt er das Thema das man dieses Lebensgefühl Schwer vermitteln kann.
2. anonymous

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   Aug 12th 2011 !⃝

   In the cover sleeve for Naked Baby Photos Ben does in fact say that this song is about his penis. I think that is most likely a joke, but don't dismiss what someone else said without being knowledgeable yourself. Douchebag.
3. anonymous

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   Jul 1st 2009 !⃝

   I think its possible that this song is about his old band that, to reference "Army" again, "citing artistic differences broke up in May."
4. anonymous

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   Jan 26th 2009 !⃝

   I also couldn't stop thinking of The Fountainhead while listening to this, its actually really nice to hear someone else felt that way.
   
   Anyway, I wasn't sure it was about the Statue of Liberty because when I heard "torch" I thought "flashlight", but even after realizing my mistake some things don't make sense if the perspective is from the statue of liberty ("MY torch")
   
   This french built statue was not inspired by any speech, wears a crown (not a helmet-hat), isn't posed in a "walk" or "dance" pose and isn't at all "crazy" looking. the "pushing cause I loved you" part also doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
   
   "Torch" is a common name for a "flashlight" and I feel like the song makes more sense if the song is about an individual. After all, statues can't have a philosophy =P.
5. jumbomingus

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   Oct 7th 2008 !⃝

   Yes, it seems to be about the statue of liberty, looking over at NYC, thinking back on when it was all just grass and explaining her philosophy.
   
   America comes off undeservedly well in this song; the well-intentioned, wide-eyed innocent. Ben Folds obviously wasn't studying history in his "three sad semesters."
   
   I'm not knocking his musical genius, I think his songwriting is fantastic. Some of his politics remind me that Ben is "from the South," however --- like him not understanding why someone might be annoyed that his granddad was somebody's granddad's slave...
   
   love it or leave it? f*ck it.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
6. anonymous

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   Oct 5th 2008 !⃝

   Are you people morons - it's obviously referring to the Statue of Liberty...
   
   I find it a bit jingoistic?

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
7. anonymous

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   Oct 21st 2007 !⃝

   This has no basis, but this song reminds me of The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. Great song, great book.
8. anonymous

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   Nov 20th 2006 !⃝

   Ben Folds never said that. The song does, however, make reference to certain howdy-duty things, such as nifty-swell skylines, and reflective eyes, and a trust-worthy strap. Other things as well. delicious.
9. anonymous

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   Aug 25th 2006 !⃝

   Ben Folds has said that this song is actually about his penis.

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