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Ben Howard — The Fear
Album: Every Kingdom
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2474









Released: 2013
Length: 4:18
Plays (last 30 days): 5
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Mama, cold hearted child, tell me how you feel
Just a blade in the grass, spoke unto the wheel
Mama, cold hearted child, tell me where it's all gone
All the luster of your bones, those arms that held you strong

I've been worryin' that my time is a little unclear
I've been worryin' that I'm losing the ones I hold dear
I've been worryin' that we all, live our lives, in the confines of fear

Mama, cold hearted child, tell me how you feel
Just a grain in the morning air, dark shadow on the hill
Mama, cold hearted child, tell me where it all falls
All this apathy you feel will make a fool of us all

I've been worryin' that my time is a little unclear
I've been worryin' that I'm losing the ones I hold dear
I've been worryin' that we all, live our lives, in the confines of fear

Oh I will become what I deserve
Oh I will become what I deserve
Oh I will become what I deserve
Oh I will become what I deserve

I've been worryin', I've been worryin',
I will become what I deserve
I've been worryin',
My time is a little unclear
I will become what I deserve

I've been worryin', I've been worryin'
That my time is a little unclear
I've been worryin', I've been worryin'
That I'm losing the ones I hold dear
I've been worryin', I've been worryin'
That we all, live our lives, in the confines of fear
Comments (95)add comment
Love love love this track!  Inspired lyrics about overcoming fear
Posted 2 months ago by Bartho    [ Reply ]
Was anyone else at his show last night (8-14-24) at the Moore Theater? It was my first time seeing him. I was so excited to see him but the sound quality was poor.
Posted 4 months ago by Spiderwoman    [ Reply ]
Every Kingdom and Old Pine were constant companions during my 3,000 mile biking summer a couple years back. I can't hear Ben without wanting to run outside an jump on a bike. Great stuff.
Posted 5 months ago by BWGunner    [ Reply ]
 fredGarvin wrote:

i sometimes confuse ben harper and ben howard.  usually after wine..



If those are the only things you confuse after wine - your life should be more simple than mine gets sometimes
Posted 5 months ago by hellsgardener    [ Reply ]
i sometimes confuse ben harper and ben howard.  usually after wine..
Posted 7 months ago by fredGarvin    [ Reply ]
Posted 8 months ago by lgonzale803    [ Reply ]
This is one of those songs that grows on you. I first gave it a 6, but now it's a solid 8!
Posted 9 months ago by nelsonha    [ Reply ]
 Michaeljcovel wrote:
jfc, the RP message board is full of more sensitive assheads than anywhere else. If you make a critical comment or even a vaguely critical one, you'll get, at the very least, 2 people jumping in to cleanse the negativity 
Bound to be so.... As us humans seem to do with so many things. So many "chiefs"... Not enuff Injuns! 

Posted 1 year ago by Signwrtr61    [ Reply ]
 Michaeljcovel wrote:
jfc, the RP message board is full of more sensitive assheads than anywhere else. If you make a critical comment or even a vaguely critical one, you'll get, at the very least, 2 people jumping in to cleanse the negativity 

Oh dear, clean up aisle 3!
Posted 1 year ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
Found Ben Howard on RP.  Another artist to add to my faves that I'm grateful to RP for all the amazing music they've played for me.  This guy's lyrics are good. 
Posted 1 year ago by rlr511    [ Reply ]
jfc, the RP message board is full of more sensitive assheads than anywhere else. If you make a critical comment or even a vaguely critical one, you'll get, at the very least, 2 people jumping in to cleanse the negativity 
Posted 1 year ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
 Webfoot wrote:

Keen ear!



Hahahahaha
Posted 2 years ago by waterwench21    [ Reply ]
too ambitious song about nothing. Sounds like pink noise


Posted 2 years ago by stephanwarpig    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:

Pavarotti this ain't


You're like RP's very own Robert Christgau - reliably wrong on everything.
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Not a fan of the goat-boy thing. But I completely agree with the drumming comments -- really drives the song!
Posted 3 years ago by tompoll    [ Reply ]
I really like this song!  Yeah, it ain't Pavarotti, but I doubt Pavarotti would come up with a song like this, either.

And, the lyrics certainly speak to the heart of what ails far too many Americans, "living lives in the confines of fear."
Posted 3 years ago by dandueck07    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:

Pavarotti this ain't


Another wise ass crack from the king.

Ben isn't my favorite opera singer either.

But I like him quite alot.
Posted 3 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
Pavarotti this ain't
 
Oh thewiseking, why do they titter so?
Posted 3 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
EXCELLENT drumming.
Posted 4 years ago by brianlj    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
Pavarotti this ain't
 
Keen ear!
Posted 4 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
Kind of a Rusted Root vibe going on.
Posted 4 years ago by exjunkie    [ Reply ]
 cob427uk1 wrote:
This track is very good but my son is very into Ben Howard and plays it constantly ast high volume and after two tracks I am ready to dive headlong out of the window! He may be a local hero but man it's so depressing...
 
I'd not heard of him until this listening - I'm from New Malden - but love discovering local talents from years gone by to the present day.
Posted 4 years ago by LoudshirtsBand    [ Reply ]
The drumming! 
Posted 4 years ago by brianlj    [ Reply ]
 cob427uk1 wrote:
This track is very good but my son is very into Ben Howard and plays it constantly ast high volume and after two tracks I am ready to dive headlong out of the window! He may be a local hero but man it's so depressing...
 
I hear you, but don't complain!! It could be much, much worse! Imagine all the nasty stuff your son could play at high volume! It could be up-beat and hollow.
Try to play Suzanne Vega's Solitude Standing album to him :-)

P.S. Are you sure your son doesn't actually want the place for himself? Do not jump out the window ;-)
Posted 5 years ago by Egctheow    [ Reply ]
I've been worrying too... that this tune wouldn't end.
Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
I agree, I heard Chapman during the intro... 
Posted 5 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
Saw him live a few months ago. Unfortunately he doesn't play his old songs anymore but just his new album which is completely different. Great performance though! Never get tired of listening to his music.
Posted 5 years ago by BlitzkriegBob    [ Reply ]
This track is very good but my son is very into Ben Howard and plays it constantly ast high volume and after two tracks I am ready to dive headlong out of the window! He may be a local hero but man it's so depressing...
Posted 6 years ago by cob427uk1    [ Reply ]
 alisathegreat wrote:
Just saw Ben Howard perform in Portland this past weekend. I wish he would've played something upbeat like this song. Nearly every song was slow and morose. It put my husband to sleep. We ended up leaving an hour into the concert because we were sleepy. 
 
I'm with you on this. His new work is good, but it just doesn't let up. So gloomy and dark...
Posted 6 years ago by themusicroob    [ Reply ]
Just saw Ben Howard perform in Portland this past weekend. I wish he would've played something upbeat like this song. Nearly every song was slow and morose. It put my husband to sleep. We ended up leaving an hour into the concert because we were sleepy. 
Posted 6 years ago by alisathegreat    [ Reply ]
Lacks any soul.
Posted 6 years ago by LonesomeDrifter    [ Reply ]
 dwhayslett wrote:

Were you expecting Pavarotti?  For just this song, or for every song?  Maybe you should check out Radio Pavarotti (the *other* RP).
 
Love this comment! Made me laugh a lot. 
Posted 6 years ago by Lyndont    [ Reply ]
This artist is currently blowing my mind. I only recently began focusing in when his songs come up on RP, and my appreciation of his lyrical power grows with each listen.,
I'm concerned though, that his very unique voice and style, both of which seem extraordinary to me now, will end up sounding tiresome after a while. Would any long time fans of Ben Howard care to comment on that?
Thanks.

 {#Ask}
Posted 7 years ago by haretic    [ Reply ]
 LawDude wrote:
Always sounds like Tracy Chapman to me.

 
This.
Posted 7 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
 DocStrangelove wrote:
something about this song makes me lower the volume — overplayed here
 
Agreed.
Posted 7 years ago by ncollingridge    [ Reply ]
And the cone finds a fear.


*edit* no he's definitely saying "and the corn finds a field"
Posted 7 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
Pavarotti this ain't

 
Are you the guy who went to see "Yes, Giorgio"?
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
Pavarotti this ain't

 
Were you expecting Pavarotti?  For just this song, or for every song?  Maybe you should check out Radio Pavarotti (the *other* RP).
Posted 7 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
Pavarotti this ain't

 
Pretty sure it never claimed to be.
Posted 7 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
Pavarotti this ain't
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnxCxHLAqn8
Posted 8 years ago by Michael_Dean    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
He and Frazey Ford could duet like nobody's business.

 
OMG! what an idea {#Idea}  {#Clap}
Posted 8 years ago by niccca    [ Reply ]
I so enjoyed Ray at one time. The breathiness is really wearing on me.
Posted 8 years ago by asilbuch    [ Reply ]
Co-Aural
                                                         Waterworld has unexpected turns and twists
                                                                Goes to distance with 'what I deserve.'
                  '
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
 dwhayslett wrote:

Not as annoying as your constant complaining.  Why do you stay?  Do you enjoy listening to music you don't enjoy listening to?

 
Nice one!  Maybe they should try Pandora w/ those annoying commercials and crappy, crap.  
Posted 8 years ago by raewah    [ Reply ]
 ppopp wrote:
This song gets annoying fast.

 
Not as annoying as your constant complaining.  Why do you stay?  Do you enjoy listening to music you don't enjoy listening to?
Posted 9 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
This song gets annoying fast. I've been worried....I've been worried...I've been worried...I've been worried....
Posted 9 years ago by ppopp    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of homeless camps loves this song...  we be dancing buck ass naked all across the forests and fields and mountains and beaches from sea to shining sea like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...

Michelangelo's David photo MichelangelosDavid.jpg 

 

 The good part is that UPS would not be charging much to ship that package.


Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
He and Frazey Ford could duet like nobody's business.
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
I agree, I can't stand his voice too. One of the most overrated artists of recent times.
Posted 9 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
Can't stand his voice 
Posted 10 years ago by pihlr00    [ Reply ]
 LawDude wrote:
Always sounds like Tracy Chapman to me.
 
Exactly what I thought. My ears cannot handle either of the two.
Posted 10 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 LawDude wrote:
Always sounds like Tracy Chapman to me.

 
Or Ray LaMontagne
Posted 10 years ago by Ctrl-Alt-Delete    [ Reply ]
Well bugger me if I ain't just about ready to dance through Lazarus' bizarre church.  This mix is off the hook this arvo.  (P.S. I love out of date slang.)
Posted 10 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of homeless camps loves this song...  we be dancing buck ass naked all across the forests and fields and mountains and beaches from sea to shining sea like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...

Michelangelo's David photo MichelangelosDavid.jpg 
Posted 10 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}Really likin' this.
Posted 10 years ago by sukhramkaur    [ Reply ]
 Yup.
Always sounds like Tracy Chapman to me.

 


Posted 10 years ago by Piranga    [ Reply ]
Always sounds like Tracy Chapman to me.
Posted 10 years ago by LawDude    [ Reply ]
this song gets stuck in my head and I can't shut it off...others like it much more than I
Posted 10 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
Well, I logged on to see who was playing, so thats how good I rated it!
Posted 10 years ago by Naim    [ Reply ]
The guitar reminds me a little of Xavier Rudd
Posted 10 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
I didn't know Ben Howard was THAT good!
Posted 10 years ago by holar    [ Reply ]
I find this grating...more so with every play
Posted 10 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
Does sound like Tracy Chapman
Posted 10 years ago by chrisross    [ Reply ]

Boy band without the band. 


Posted 10 years ago by old_shep    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:

My thoughts exactly! I kept thinking it was a Tracey Chapman song I was unfamiliar with.

 
Exactly - yawn !!!
 
Posted 11 years ago by sookay    [ Reply ]
Very very boring song - and SO generic - I simply do not believe him -3
Posted 11 years ago by sookay    [ Reply ]
 gypsyman wrote:
Ray LaMontagne wanna be. Vocally, anyway. Reserving judgement on the rest.

 
Better than Ray, more like Damian rice maybe?
Posted 11 years ago by Ydesign    [ Reply ]
I will become what I deserve, oh yes..
Posted 11 years ago by tamnitok    [ Reply ]
I stop everything I'm doing when I hear this song. 
Posted 11 years ago by Fotay    [ Reply ]
Ray LaMontagne wanna be. Vocally, anyway. Reserving judgement on the rest.
Posted 11 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
You mean ... this isn't 'Be Good Tanyas'.  Ooops.

I like it anyway.  {#Lol}
Posted 11 years ago by Hasan    [ Reply ]
Nice add Bill. Wonderful new artist. 
Posted 11 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
 CawCat wrote:
I never get tired of this!

 
Ditto!!!
Posted 11 years ago by raewah    [ Reply ]
I never get tired of this!
Posted 11 years ago by CawCat    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:

We're all eternal, so that's not an incentive, but the free cheeseburgers and beer is quite the enticement. When do you hold services?
 

We hold services eternally!  You are welcome anytime!  I hope you are having a very nice time right this minute...

this song is cool...  love it...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Yep, Yup. Foot's goin' nuts under the desk, head's boppin'... I just typed myself into rating this an 8, and I gave it a 7 when I started, 2 minutes ago!

{#Bananajam}
Posted 11 years ago by subgyro    [ Reply ]
 Leandra wrote:
Ok second time and I have to rate up. This makes me turn up the volume every time {#Jump}

 
Bought the album - L-O-V-E it!!! Recommendations if you liked the song - the album is slightly more calm, but still, really underrespresented so far. None of my music crazy friends knew it... Wonder why {#Think}
Posted 11 years ago by Leandra    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:


What a charming thing to say!  Not even a song comment!  Join my churches for the gods and you will receive free cheeseburgers and beer and eternal salivation!

Love this song...
 




 

We're all eternal, so that's not an incentive, but the free cheeseburgers and beer is quite the enticement. When do you hold services?
Posted 11 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
 Minimally wrote:
Love child of Tracey Chapman and Ray LaMontagne?

 
My thoughts exactly! I kept thinking it was a Tracey Chapman song I was unfamiliar with.
Posted 11 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
Ok second time and I have to rate up. This makes me turn up the volume every time {#Jump}
Posted 11 years ago by Leandra    [ Reply ]
 govna wrote:

your new persona is far less charming now that it's found god.
 

What a charming thing to say!  Not even a song comment!  Join my churches for the gods and you will receive free cheeseburgers and beer and eternal salivation!

Love this song...
 

Aphrodite

Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:

Everybody in my churches loves this song...
 

 
your new persona is far less charming now that it's found god.
Posted 11 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
I'm hearing David Gray and Damien Rice as well as Ray LaMontagne - and I like that alot.
Posted 11 years ago by RichardArthur    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my churches loves this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Love child of Tracey Chapman and Ray LaMontagne?
Posted 11 years ago by Minimally    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
Sorry, Ben, for a minute there you sounded like Tracey Chapman. 

 
This.


Posted 11 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
 claya wrote:
This is the second listening.... i want to rate up. This is great stuff. Does anyone know if the whole album is this good?

 
Yes, really like the album. "The Fear" was a number 1 hit in Belgium. Always reminds me a bit of Hothouse Flowers. Check also his "Burgh Island EP", sounds a little darker but great music. In same league as Tom Odell in terms of popularity with teengirls over here ;)
Posted 11 years ago by Quadran    [ Reply ]
This is the second listening.... i want to rate up. This is great stuff. Does anyone know if the whole album is this good?
Posted 11 years ago by claya    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
Sorry, Ben, for a minute there you sounded like Tracey Chapman. And then Ray La Montagne. But I like the music and the message. 

 
I had to double  check my self, I thought it was Tracey Chapman.
Posted 11 years ago by millab00    [ Reply ]
Good Stuff. Immediate 7, leaving room to grow.
Posted 11 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]

That is one cool guitar lick in this song...  I like that quirky melody...  the lyrics are interesting and emotive...  this song gets a big 10 rating on my first listen...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
This is awful.  
Period 
Posted 11 years ago by :+:_DL    [ Reply ]
Sorry, Ben, for a minute there you sounded like Tracey Chapman. And then Ray La Montagne. But I like the music and the message. 
Posted 11 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Yes Bill, you finally started playing Ben Howard!!

This album is amazing in its entirety as is his more recent EP.
Posted 11 years ago by tirednotion    [ Reply ]