Kate

Ben Folds

About Kate

"Kate" is a song performed by Ben Folds Five released on their 1997 album Whatever and Ever Amen. Written by Ben Folds, Darren Jessee, and Folds's first wife, Anna Goodman, the song follows a love-struck man who is so obsessed with the girl "Kate" that he longs to be her, as shown by the lyric "I wanna be Kate". It peaked at #39 on the UK Singles Chart.


Year:
2007
63 
#1

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She plays wipe out on the drums
The squirrels and the birds come
Gather around to sing the guitar
Oh I... have you got nothing to say
When all words fail she speaks

Her mix tape's a masterpiece
Walks through the garden
So the roses can see
Oh I... have you got nothing to say

And you can see the daisies
In her footsteps
Dandelions, butterflies
I want to be Kate

Everyday she wars the same thing
I think she smokes pot
She's everything I want, She's everything I'm not
Oh. I...

Have you got nothing to say
She never gets wet
She smiles and it's a rainbow
And she speaks and she breathes

I want to be Kate
Down by the Rosemary and Cameron
She hands out the Bhagaved Gita
I see her around every couple days

I want to meet her so that
I can say... hey Kate

 Struggling with Kate? Become a better singer in 30 days with these videos!


Ben Folds

Benjamin Scott "Ben" Folds (born September 12, 1966) is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. From 1995-2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. After the group temporarily disbanded, Folds performed as a solo artist and has toured all over the world. The group reunited in 2011. He has also collaborated with musicians such as William Shatner, Regina Spektor and "Weird Al" Yankovic and undertaken experimental songwriting projects with authors such as Nick Hornby and Neil Gaiman. In addition to contributing music to the soundtracks of the animated films Over the Hedge, and Hoodwinked!, Folds produced Amanda Palmer's first solo album and has been a judge on the NBC a cappella singing contest The Sing-Off … more »

2 fans

Written by: ANNA GOODMAN, BEN FOLDS, DARREN JESSEE

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Kate" is a single performed by the American alternative rock band, "Ben Folds Five," from their second studio album, "Whatever and Ever Amen," released in 1997.
Lead Singer
The band's lead vocalist and pianist, Ben Folds, is the primary songwriter behind "Kate".
Song Meaning
The song is said to be written about Folds’ high school friend, Kate, who he had a crush on. It explores the theme of unrequited love.
Music Style
"Kate" exemplifies Ben Folds Five's unique fusion of alternative rock and piano rock. The band stands out for their heavy use of piano, with Folds as the primary instrumentalist.
Album Success
"Whatever and Ever Amen," the album in which "Kate" features, is one of Ben Folds Five's most successful albums. It was certified gold by the RIAA for sales over 500,000 copies.
Song Popularity
Despite not being released as a single in the United States, "Kate" remains one of Ben Folds Five's most popular songs. In the UK, it reached number 39 on the Singles Chart.
Music Video
The music video for "Kate" shows the band performing in a small room filled with Polaroids of a girl assumed to be Kate.
Ben Folds Solo Performance
Even after Ben Folds Five disbanded in 2000, Folds continued to perform "Kate" as part of his solo concerts.
Song Cover
Several artists, including Colin Hanks and the band "The Lucksmiths," have covered "Kate."
Enduring Appeal
More than two decades after its release, "Kate" continues to be a fan favorite at Ben Folds' live shows, demonstrating the song's lasting appeal.

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