Stella Rose Bennett was born and raised in the suburb of Grey Lynn in Auckland. She grew up in a "really musical" family with parents who would expose her to the catalogs of Radiohead, Björk, and Groove Armada. From the age of eight, BENEE began taking guitar lessons in primary school before starting saxophone lessons in high school. Eventually, BENEE dropped all music in order to prioritize water polo. She claims it "was [her] life" and that she at one point hoped to represent New Zealand competitively. BENEE later became interested in writing and recording music at the age of 17, after deciding that she did not want to pursue a career in water polo. BENEE attended an all-girls Catholic school, St. Mary's College, where music was compulsory for four years.
BENEE began her music career by posting covers to SoundCloud and began making her own music in her final year of high school. After dropping out of a communications degree at the Auckland University of Technology after two weeks, during what she called "a quarter-life crisis", she decided to enter the music business professionally. Her music caught the attention of Josh Fountain, a producer and member of the band Leisure, with whom she produced two singles: "Tough Guy", released in 2017, and "Soaked", released in 2018. she earned her first career entry on the Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2018 with "Soaked" at #58.
In both 2019 and 2020, she consecutively won Single of the Year, Best Solo Artist and Best Pop Artist at the New Zealand Music Awards. BENEE initially gained local prominence with her singles "Glitter" and "Soaked", before her 2019 single "Supalonely" saw international popularity following its success on the video-sharing platform TikTok and YouTube. BENEE subsequently released her debut album, Hey U X, in November 2020.
Under the moniker of Bene, she made her solo debut with the 2017 single "Tough Guy", before later gaining prominence with her 2018 single "Soaked", which has been certified double-platinum in New Zealand. She released her debut EP, Fire on Marzz, with help from producer Josh Fountain in June 2019. Her second EP, Stella & Steve, was released in November 2019 and charted in the US, Canada, and France as a result of the international success of the EP's final single, "Supalonely". Since 2018, BENEE has earned five entries on the Triple J Hottest 100, three of which were in the 2019 list. She also released her third EP, Lychee, in March 2022 which charted at number 13 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart.
In an interview for The New Zealand Herald, Benee revealed that she has dyslexia. She also described her childhood experiences with songwriting:
"throughout school I struggled with writing....I liked creative writing, that was what I loved, but I was always making mistakes, and I was confined to this way that I should write....Songwriting for me was this place where I don't have to be grammatically correct. Learning the craft with [Josh Fountain], when he was sharing all his knowledge – something clicked, and I was just like, I love this. It's a great emotional outlet for me; I just love splashing what I feel on to a track."
A Little While
BENEE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Asked if I wanted some of your cigar
But I don't smoke
Think you wanna know me
Driving inside your car
You put your hand around my heart
But I'm afraid, yeah
You'll try to control me
And if I stay a little while
How long will you make me wait your call?
Make it warmer for me, yeah
'Cause I'm cold
I try so hard to talk to you
But I stay quiet 'cause I'm confused
I'm not used to guys like you
I'm so used to being used
You think that I'm bizarre
I wanna know just who you are
And what you're like, yeah
What you're like inside, oh
You say I'm not the same
As all the girls you used to date
And this time, ohh
You wanna really try
And if I stay a little while
How long will you make me wait your call?
Make it warmer for me, yeah
'Cause I'm cold
I try so hard to talk to you
I'm not used to guys like you
I'm so used to being used
In the song "A Little While" by Benee, the lyrics express the singer's feelings and experiences in a new romantic relationship. The song begins with the singer noticing someone from a distance and being enticed by their aura, even though they don't share the same habits or interests. The singer is cautious, aware that this person could potentially control or manipulate them. However, despite the fear, they decide to give the relationship a chance and see where it goes.
The lyrics reflect the uncertainty and hesitation that the singer feels. They confess that they struggle to communicate their thoughts and feelings because they are confused and unaccustomed to someone genuinely caring and showing interest. Having been used and taken advantage of in the past, the singer finds it difficult to trust someone new.
The song captures the internal struggle of wanting to open up to a new relationship while also having reservations and insecurities. It portrays the vulnerability of stepping into the unknown, uncertain of how the other person will respond or whether they will reciprocate genuine care and love.
Overall, "A Little While" explores the conflicts and self-doubt that arise when embarking on a new romantic journey, emphasizing the need for patience, understanding, and genuine connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw you from a far
From a distance, I spotted you
Asked if I wanted some of your cigar
Inquired if I desired to share your cigar
But I don't smoke
However, I do not engage in smoking
Think you wanna know me
Believe that you are interested in getting to know me
Driving inside your car
Traveling in your vehicle
You put your hand around my heart
You placed your hand over my heart
But I'm afraid, yeah
Yet, I feel apprehensive
You'll try to control me
You may attempt to exert control over me
And if I stay a little while
If I choose to remain for a short period
How long will you make me wait your call?
For how much time will you delay contacting me?
Make it warmer for me, yeah
Create a more comfortable atmosphere for me
'Cause I'm cold
Because I feel emotionally distant
I try so hard to talk to you
I make great efforts to communicate with you
But I stay quiet 'cause I'm confused
Yet, I remain silent as I am uncertain
I'm not used to guys like you
I am unaccustomed to men like you
I'm so used to being used
I am accustomed to being taken advantage of
You think that I'm bizarre
You perceive me as strange
I wanna know just who you are
I desire to understand your true nature
And what you're like, yeah
And how you behave, yes
What you're like inside, oh
Your inner qualities and character, oh
You say I'm not the same
You claim I am different
As all the girls you used to date
Compared to the girls you previously had relationships with
And this time, ohh
And on this occasion, ohh
You wanna really try
You genuinely endeavor
And if I stay a little while
And if I stay for a short period
How long will you make me wait your call?
For how much time will you delay contacting me?
Make it warmer for me, yeah
Create a more comfortable atmosphere for me
'Cause I'm cold
Because I feel emotionally distant
I try so hard to talk to you
I make great efforts to communicate with you
But I stay quiet 'cause I'm confused
Yet, I remain silent as I am uncertain
I'm not used to guys like you
I am unaccustomed to men like you
I'm so used to being used
I am accustomed to being taken advantage of
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Stella Bennett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pleaseignorethisismyoldaccount
Lyrics for y'all lovely peeps
[Verse 1]
I saw you from afar
Asked if I wanted some of your cigar
But I don't smoke
I think you wanna know me
Drivin' inside your car
You put your hand around my heart
But I'm afraid, yeah
You'll try to control me
[Chorus]
And if I stay a little while
How long will you make me wait your call?
Make it warmer for me, yeah
'Cause I'm cold
[Post-Chorus]
I try so hard to talk to you
But I stay quiet
'Cause I'm confused
I'm not used to guys like you
I'm so used to being used
[Verse 3]
You think that I'm bizarre, I wanna know just who you are
And what you're like, yeah
What you're like inside, oh
You say I'm not the same as all the girls you used to date
And this time, oh
You wanna really try
[Chorus]
And if I stay a little whilе
How long will you make me wait your call?
Make it warmеr for me, yeah
'Cause I'm cold
[Post-Chorus]
I try so hard to talk to you
But I stay quiet
'Cause I'm confused
I'm not used to guys like you
I'm so used to being used
@draalien
BENEE is such a comfort artist, I can literally listen to her whenever because of the wide range she has. Love you BENEE, keep doing what you're doing. 🥺💕✨
@ManifestingWealthToday
So trueee
@SamWell-lh8so
BENEE is just the biggest vibe ever 😂
@debbiedecker5728
Benee takes me places with her music I haven't been to since the 70s.. definitely comfort music...every song has its own character..never the same...adore her...
@klkvic
Mexico love u BENEE 🇲🇽❤️
@avar.9926
BENEE is the BEST. She has consistently been putting out music during quarantine. Well done.✨🍄
@andrewsfa4420
BECAUSE SHE HAS SO MUCH FREE TIME
@nickwhites337
Big facts she’s high key the best
@minabou6483
Yeah so true and thanks to her she s so sweet
@emmanuel5876
😦💖💖💖