Other arrangements of Philosophy
Pick a learning view.
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 down.
I (C)see that there is ev
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
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;
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
so
phy.)
(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.
so
(F)phy.)
Philosophy — Accompaniment Sheet Music (Classic Notation)
5 people have learned this song
Classic piano notation for "Philosophy" by Ben Folds Five as an accompaniment / backing track. Both hands engraved at publisher quality in C — sing or play melody on top while the score follows along at 98 BPM. Click any note to jump there.
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:
About “Philosophy”
- Is the engraved accompaniment score for "Philosophy" suitable for a pianist?
- Yes — both hands are notated in classic piano notation (treble + bass clefs, key C, real chord symbols), engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML. A staff pianist or accompanist can read this directly from the screen or printed PDF and play the backing while you sing the melody.
- 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", "Battle Of Who Could Care Less", "Brick". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
- What is this accompaniment Sheet Music view?
- Same engraver-grade rendering as the standard Sheet Music mode — both hands, classic piano notation, key of C, real chord symbols — but the audio is the karaoke / backing-track arrangement of "Philosophy" with the lead melody removed. Perfect for singers, lead instruments, and ensemble practice.
- Can I sing or play melody while the score follows along?
- Yes. The backing track removes the melody so you can sing or play it on top while the chord changes and rhythm guide you. The engraved score scrolls in time with the audio so you never lose your place.
- Is this the same notation a piano book would show?
- Yes — treble + bass clefs, key signature, time signature, beams, dynamics, and chord symbols above the staff, all rendered from the original publisher MusicXML. Identical reading experience to a printed piano accompaniment book.
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