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The Last Polka Lyrics
Well, she crept back in the house
At half past three
Shook her head to see him snoring
In his sleep
"If you really loved me," she said
"I wouldn't have to be so mean"
He's a heap of junk that pours
Ffrom his top drawer
Sometimes likes to spread it out
Around the floor
It's evidence of what he was like
He likes to remember when...
Sha la ly, sha la ly lo ly
The end is growing near
And we're treading water now
And holding back our tears
And the day is rising
We're sinking sha la la la la la
In a minute it will all
Be coming down
And they know it now but
No one makes a sound
Such a shame to ruin this bright
Lazy summer day...
My my, the cruelest lies
Are often told without a word
My my, the kindest truths
Are often spoke, but never heard
She said, "You've been pushing me like
I was a sore tooth
You can't respect me 'cause I've done
So much for you"
He said, "Well I hate that it's come to this
But baby I was doing fine
How do you think that I survived
The other 25 before you?"
Favorite Ben Folds song, hands down. But I don't think the 25 refers to girlfriends, it refers to years. She's saying that he can't live without her and he says back "if I can't live without you then how did I do it before I was with you?"
hmm I sincerely doubt he has 25 wives, unless he's mormon or very discrete. I always thought that "the other 25" was a reference to the 25 years of life she experienced without him by her side. I think she's saying that she did fine without him before and so she has nothing to lose by leaving him, she can thrive independently.
Seriously, guys? 25 wives?
Lol, right? Yeah I have a feeling...maybe this song was written about Ben's divorce from his first wife, Anna Goodman, or based of it somewhat. He was 25 at the time of the divorce I think, plus she has co-writing credits for the song. Either way, I friggin' love this song, it's so powerful and the piano part is EPIC. One of the best songs ever written, IMO. I mean, it's a polka, in minor, c'mon.
Lol, right? Yeah I have a feeling...maybe this song was written about Ben's divorce from his first wife, Anna Goodman, or based of it somewhat. He was 25 at the time of the divorce I think, plus she has co-writing credits for the song. Either way, I friggin' love this song, it's so powerful and the piano part is EPIC. One of the best songs ever written, IMO. I mean, it's a polka, in minor, c'mon.
hahaha seriously
He means 25 years. It would make sense seeing as he was about 27-30 when this song was released.
i don't know what anyone else thinks, but this is my favorite ben folds five song. from the beginning drum beat to the mashing of random piano keys to the very end, this song gets me moving and gives me the willies it is so good! i especially enjoy the lines "My my, the cruelest lies Are often told without a word My my, the kindest truths Are often spoke, but never heard" how true.
My favorite lines are in the verse at the end. The whole thing where his girlfriend thinks that he's nothing without her and he reminds her that he managed to get through the previous 25 years without her. And the piano when Ben sings "You've been pushing me like a sore tooth". This is also my favorite Ben Folds Five song.
^--That's what I think as well.
I heart this song, Ben FOlds can rock the tack piana.
I wouldn't say "the other 25" necessarily refers to wives, but maybe just girlfriends. Anyway, I love this song because it illuminates the smallest things about your significant other that just drives you insane. There is just so much tension between them that even stupid things make a relationship unbearable. As a result, everything explodes and they start yelling at each other. It took me a long time to discover all the great things about this song, but it's one of my favorites now.