Fifty-Five Vault cover

Released 15 years ago this October

Fifty-Five Vault

Ben Folds · 2011

189 min · 56 tracks · pop music

A diverse collection of live performances and demos showcasing Folds' signature blend of lyrical wit and melodic pop sensibilities.

Spotify Apple Music
Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Adelaide (live, 2011: Adelaide, Australia) Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
  • →
    Brick (live acoustic, 2003) — This stripped-down version of Brick captures the raw emotion of the original while highlighting Folds' piano-driven storytelling. Its intimate setting allows listeners to connect deeply with the song's themes of heartache and nostalgia.
  • →
    Bitch Went Nutz (live, 2008: Amsterdam, The Netherlands) — This track exemplifies Folds' playful lyricism and energetic performance style. The live recording showcases his ability to engage an audience with humor while addressing complex emotional themes.
  • →
    Evaporated (demo 1992) — As one of the earliest tracks included, this demo reveals the foundational elements of Folds’ songwriting. The lyrical vulnerability present here hints at the depth that would characterize his later work.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • nostalgic live performance energy
  • witty lyrics with playful charm
  • dynamic pacing keeps engagement
  • for casual listening
  • demos reveal artistic evolution

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer straightforward single tracks
  • seek high-energy dance vibes

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — A compilation that provides insight but doesn't serve as a primary entry point.
Themes
intimate heartbreak· Amsterdam performances· 90s pop nostalgia
Career context
Released in 2011, Fifty-Five Vault is a compilation that encapsulates Ben Folds' prolific output from the 1990s to early 2000s. By this time, he had established himself as a prominent figure in pop music, following his successful album Way to Normal in 2008. This collection not only highlights his live performance dynamic but also includes previously unreleased tracks and demos, further solidifying his artistic range.
New to Ben Folds? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Adelaide (live, 2011: Adelaide, Australia) Start here 3:12
  • 2 Air 3:21
  • 3 All Shook Up 1:55
  • 4 Ascent of Stan (live, 2002: New York, NY, USA) 4:16
  • 5 Birds 2:09
  • 6 Bitch Went Nutz (live, 2008: Amsterdam, The Netherlands) 4:36
  • 7 Bizarre Christmas Incident 2:23
  • 8 Brick (live acoustic, 2003) 4:51
  • 9 Champagne Supernova (live, 1996) 1:34
  • 10 Cologne (piano orchestra version 2008) 6:08
  • 11 Dr. Yang (live, 2008: Belgium) 2:36
  • 12 Evaporated (demo 1992) 4:11
  • 13 Family of Me 1:28
  • 14 For All the Pretty People 3:22
  • 15 Free Coffee (live, 2008: Germany) 4:05
  • 16 Girl 3:43
  • 17 Golden Slumbers (live, 2001: New York, NY, USA) 2:14
  • 18 Hava Nagila (live, 1997) 1:35
  • 19 Heist 3:01
  • 20 Hiro’s Song (shaker version) (live, 2011: Melbourne, Australia) 3:03
  • 21 Honey Don’t (alternate take 2000) 2:40
  • 22 Hospital Song (live, 1999: Philadelphia, PA, USA) 2:22
  • 23 House (original mix 2011) 3:41
  • 24 I Knew That ’cha Could (demo 2000) 2:50
  • 25 In Between Days (live, 2005) 3:03

Disc 2

  • 1 In Love (demo 1998) 4:28
  • 2 It’s All Right With God (Mitch Easter sessions 2000) 8:00
  • 3 Jesusland (live, 2011: Jakarta, Indonesia) 3:59
  • 4 Jesusland (Stadium version) (live, 2005: London, UK) 2:35
  • 5 Lonely (demo 1996) 3:19
  • 6 Lost in the Supermarket 3:30
  • 7 Make Me Mommy 2:18
  • 8 Mess (live, 2007: Boston, MA, USA) 4:04
  • 9 Mitchell Lane 3:44
  • 10 Narcolepsy (live) 5:35
  • 11 One Down 4:22
  • 12 Prince Charming (Mitch Easter sessions 2000) 3:42
  • 13 Prologue 1:09
  • 14 Protection (demo 1992) 3:24
  • 15 Radio Jingles for Tokyo’s Inter‐FM 0:52
  • 16 Rockin’ the Suburbs (’06 remix) 3:21
  • 17 Say Yes (live, 2010: The A.V. club) 2:08
  • 18 She Don’t Use Jelly (Lounge‐A‐Palooza version) 4:12
  • 19 Side of the Road (alternate cello version) 3:01
  • 20 Silver Street (demo 1994) 3:30
  • 21 Smoke (demo 1994) 4:23

Disc 3

  • 1 Song for the Dumped (demo 1996) 3:52
  • 2 Steven’s Last Night in Town (demo 1996) 3:06
  • 3 Theme From “Dr. Pyser” (studio version) 3:14
  • 4 Underground (demo 1992) 5:06
  • 5 Video Killed the Radio Star 3:42
  • 6 Where’s Summer B? (live, 1996: WNEW) 4:14
  • 7 Wild Mountain Thyme (alternate take 2010) 2:48
  • 8 You to Thank (live, 2011: Adelaide, Australia) 3:44
  • 9 Your Cheatin’ Heart (live, 1996) 1:35
  • 10 Your Redneck Past (live, 1999: London, UK) 4:16

What to play next

The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective
Listen next

The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective

2011

This album offers a curated journey through Folds' hits and lesser-known gems.
Lonely Avenue
Go back to

Lonely Avenue

2010

It features strong songwriting and orchestration that aligns with the themes in Fifty-Five Vault.
Full Ben Folds discography Where to start with Ben Folds Artists like Ben Folds
pop music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata