The lyrics of "The Frown Song" by Ben Folds satirically highlight the self-absorbed and pretentious behavior of privileged individuals who frequent spas and trendy stores, while also pointing out the hypocrisy and lack of empathy in their actions. The song sarcastically encourages spreading love around while mocking the seemingly shallow concerns of the characters described.

Meaning of "The Frown Song" by Ben Folds

"The Frown Song" by Ben Folds captures the essence of a social commentary on the pretentious, self-centered attitudes of some privileged individuals. The lyrics paint a picture of people who frequent spas, fancy stores, and restaurants, only to display ignorance and lack of empathy towards the service staff. The song sarcastically points out the absurdity of their behavior, such as presenting allergy cards to waitresses, leaving no tip, and speculating about the personal lives of others. By mentioning real issues like Indian burial grounds, nervous breakdowns, and the hidden pain of service workers, Ben Folds reveals the hypocrisy in the characters' actions. The repetition of "Rock on, rock on" with a fashionable frown highlights the superficiality of their concern for appearances. Ultimately, the message seems to be a call for self-reflection and a reminder to spread genuine love and kindness rather than just putting on a show of concern.