There's Always Someone Cooler Than You
Ben Folds · The Best Imitation Of Myself - A Retrospective [2011]
Like you've got nothing to prove
No matter what you might do
There's always someone out there cooler than you
I know that's hard to believe
But there are people you meet
They're into something that is too big to be
Expressed
Through their clothes
And they'll put up with all the poses you'll throw
And you won't
Even know
that they're not sizing you up
They know your mom fucked you up
Or maybe let you watch too much TV
But they'll still look in your eyes
To find the human inside
You know there's always something in there to see
Beneath
The veneer
Not everybody made the list this year
Have a beer
Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall
But there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the shit but you won't be here for long
Oh, there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
Now that I've got the disease
In a way I'm relieved
'Cause I don't have to stress about it like you do
I might just get up and dance
Or buy some acid-wash pants
When you don't care then you got nothing to lose
And I won't
Hesitate
'Cause every moment life is slipping away
It's ok
Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall
But there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the shit but you won't be it for long
Oh, there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
Oh, there's always someone cooler than...
Life is wonderful
Life is beautiful
We're all children of
One big universe
So you don't have to be a chump
And you know (you know)
That I won't (I won't)
Hesitate (hesitate)
'Cause every moment life is slipping away (away)
It's ok (it's ok)
Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall
Oh, 'cause there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the shit but you won't be it for long
But there's always someone cooler than you
Oh yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
Because there's always someone cooler than you
Cooler than you (boy)
Cooler than you (girl)
Cooler than you (sir)
Cooler than you (my lady)
Oh
Nerds go wild
Yeah Yeah
There's Always Someone Cooler Than You
Ben Folds delivers a sharp, self-deprecating pop anthem on this track from his 2011 retrospective, The Best Imitation Of Myself. The song captures the universal anxiety of feeling inadequate in social comparisons, using a driving rhythm and Folds' signature piano-driven pop style to underscore the absurdity of rivalry. Rather than dwelling on jealousy, the recording reframes the sentiment with a playful, almost humorous tone, suggesting that the person who makes you feel small is often the one who inspires you to improve. Released during a period where Folds explored both nostalgic covers and original material, the track stands as a quintessential example of his ability to blend personal vulnerability with catchy, radio-friendly melodies. It remains a defining moment in his discography, illustrating his knack for turning everyday social insecurities into relatable, uplifting music.