Best Imitation of Myself

"Best Imitation of Myself" is a song from Ben Folds Five's 1995 self-titled debut album.^[1] It was written by Ben Folds.^[2] The song is a lyrical essay of sorts on expectations and the preconceived notions of a person by others.

History

In the early 1990s, Ben Folds was shopping his talents as both musician and songwriter to various record labels, eventually signing a publishing contract with Sony Music.^[3] During this time, Folds came to find a trend with a number of the record executives he'd meet: they had a notion of Folds' personality and songwriting style based on demos and live performances. These executives expected him to live up to this notion with no deviation and to market him accordingly. Folds wrote this song in response. A similar attitude appears in the song "One Down".

Additional versions

The song was written by Folds and recorded as a demo during studio sessions in Nashville, Tennessee in the fall of 1990, prior to forming Ben Folds Five. The demo version is roughly similar to the version that would appear on the band's debut album. The significant differences are more sparse instrumentation and Folds providing both main and backing vocals. Timing and certain phrasing are different as well, with the demo version stretched a bit longer and slower than the eventual album version.

A live version of the song, recorded at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City on June 13, 2002, appears on the 2002 album Ben Folds Live.^[4]

Singles

The song has not been released as a single and does not appear in a studio or live version as an additional track on any other single release.

Compilations and soundtracks

No versions of the song appear on any non-Ben Folds compilation album or soundtrack.

Personnel

Production

Producer: Caleb Southern
Mixing: Marc Becker

References

External links

Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Ben Folds Five

Ben Folds Darren Jessee Robert Sledge

Studio albums	Ben Folds Five Whatever and Ever Amen The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner The Sound of the Life of the Mind

Compilations	Naked Baby Photos The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective

Live albums	Live

Singles	"Jackson Cannery" "Underground" "Where's Summer B.?" "Philosophy" "Uncle Walter" "Battle of Who Could Care Less" "Kate" "One Angry Dwarf & 200 Solemn Faces" "Brick" "Song for the Dumped" "Army" "Don't Change Your Plans" "House" "Do It Anyway" "Draw a Crowd"

Videos	Ben Folds Five – The Complete Sessions at West 54th

Tours	The Sound of the Life of the Mind Tour

Related articles	Discography Fear of Pop Fleming and John Hotel Lights Frank London Caleb Southern

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