What key is the piano accompaniment for "Philosophy" by Ben Folds Five in?

The backing track is in C at 98 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.

Can I sing over "Philosophy" with this accompaniment?

Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.

Is this a karaoke version of "Philosophy"?

Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "Philosophy", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.

Can I use "Philosophy" as a backing track for my instrument?

Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.

Can I download the accompaniment for "Philosophy"?

Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.

Who wrote "Philosophy"?

"Philosophy" was originally performed by Ben Folds Five. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.

What other backing tracks by Ben Folds Five are available?

Other accompaniments by Ben Folds Five: "Army", "Army", "Battle Of Who Could Care Less". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.

Lyrics

Won’t you (C)look up at the sky line at the (C)mor tar block and glass,

and (F)check out the re (D)flec tions in my (Gsus4)eyes?

You see they (C)al ways used to be there ev en (C)when this all was grass,

and I (F)sang and danced a (D)bout a high rise.

You were (F)laugh ing at

my (G)hel met hat,

(Fmaj7)laugh ing at

my (G)torch.

Go a head, you can (G)laugh all you want;

(Caug)I got my phi lo so phy,

keeps my (Dm)feet on the ground, and I trust it like the (G)ground.

(Caug)That’s why my phi lo so phy, (My (G)phil...) it keeps me (Dm)walk ing when I’m fall ing (...o down.

phy.)

I (C)see that there is ev (F)il and I (C)know that there is good,

and the (Fmaj7)in be tweens I (D9)nev er un der (Gsus4)stood.

Won’t you (C)look at me, I’m cra (F)zy, but I (C)get the job done.

Yeah, I’m (Fmaj7)cra zy but I (D9)get the job done.

(F)And I say Go a head, you can (G)laugh all you want;

(Caug)I got my phi lo so phy,

keeps my (Dm)feet on the ground, and I trust it like the (G)ground.

(Caug)That’s why my phi lo so phy, (My (G)phil...) it keeps me (Dm)walk ing when I’m fall ing

(...o down.

phy.)

I (C)see that there is ev (F)il and I (C)know that there is good,

and the (Fmaj7)in be tweens I (D9)nev er un der (Gsus4)stood.

Won’t you (C)look at me, I’m cra (F)zy, but I (C)get the job done.

Yeah, I’m (Fmaj7)cra zy but I (D9)get the job done.

(F)And I say

I’ve (Am)pushed you ’cause I (Am)loved you guys; I (Am)did n’t re a (Am6)lise you weren’t (Gm7)hav ing fun.

And I (F)dragged you up the stairs and I (G)told you to fly; you were flap ping your arms, (G)start ed to cry.

You were too high,

(Bbmaj7)too high.

(C)Take all this for grant (F)ed, you take the (C)mor tar block and glass, and you for (Fmaj7)get the speech that (D7)moved the stone.

But it’s (C)real ly not that you (F)can’t see the forest for the trees,

you’ve nev er been out in the woods a (Gsus4)lone.

(F)So you can laugh all you (C)want

(G)to,

but (Caug)I got my phi lo so phy,

keeps my (Dm)feet on the ground, and I love you, you’re my (G)friend.

But (Caug)you got no phi lo so phy, (My (G)phil...) and now it’s (Dm7)time for this song to

(...o end.

(F)phy.)

Philosophy — Piano Accompaniment Track

Free piano accompaniment for "Philosophy" by Ben Folds Five. Sing along or play your instrument over the backing piano. Toggle the vocal melody on/off, change key to fit your voice, adjust tempo. Key of C, 98 BPM.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (C) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range — the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.

Try other practice modes:

Fall Down Lead Sheet

About “Philosophy”

What key is the piano accompaniment for "Philosophy" by Ben Folds Five in?: The backing track is in C at 98 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
Can I sing over "Philosophy" with this accompaniment?: Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
Is this a karaoke version of "Philosophy"?: Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "Philosophy", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "Philosophy" as a backing track for my instrument?: Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
Can I download the accompaniment for "Philosophy"?: Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "Philosophy"?: "Philosophy" was originally performed by Ben Folds Five. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by Ben Folds Five are available?: Other accompaniments by Ben Folds Five: "Army", "Army", "Battle Of Who Could Care Less". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.