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."
Animal
BENEE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Please?
Wake up, line up, can′t stop
Too much pressure, might get squashed (squashed)
Think I'm special but I′m not
The grind, get mine, I'm trying
In this tunnel, I get lost'Cause I′m tiny like a dog
Weight of the world on my back
Losing myself, my control
And if I get stuck in a crack
Come dig me out of this hole
And you can′t stay mad at me
I'm just an animal
A micro-celebrity
But I mean nothing at all
It hurts but I′m scared to leave
Or maybe I'm just too small (too small)
Everything′s big to me
And I mean nothing at all
LA fires, I get bread
I'm alive until I′m dead
I can't help it, I'm too scared
I hear voices in my head (like what?)
I′ve once lived under a rock
I′m so tiny, I forgot
Magnifying glass gets hot
Weight of the world on my back
And if I get stuck in a crack
Come dig me out of this hole (out of this hole)
And you can't stay mad at me
I′m just an animal
A micro-celebrity
But I mean nothing at all
It hurts but I'm scared to leave (I′m scared to leave)
Or maybe I'm just too small (too small)
Everything′s big to me
And I mean nothing at all
Benee's song "Animal" delves into the complexities of personal identity, the pressures of modern life, and the struggle for self-acceptance, encapsulating the often overwhelming experience of being a young person in a fast-paced world. The opening lines introduce a sense of urgency and anxiety, suggesting the relentless pace of societal expectations and the feeling of being lost within them. The repetition of phrases like "wake up" and "line up" evokes a feeling of being on a conveyor belt of routine and expectation. The reference to being "tiny like a dog" serves as a metaphor for feelings of inadequacy and insignificance amid larger societal pressures. Benee's use of vivid imagery here also hints at a childlike innocence, contrasting with the adult world's complexities and the ensuing internal struggles that stem from such external pressures.
As the song progresses, the artist reveals deeper emotional layers by expressing feelings of vulnerability and fear. The "weight of the world on my back" encapsulates the burden of societal expectations, and the desire for validation and control becomes apparent. Benee’s acknowledgment of losing herself suggests a sense of identity crisis, where the search for individual meaning is overshadowed by external validations—an experience many, especially young adults, can relate to. The plea for someone to "dig me out of this hole" is indicative of the desire for support and connection amid overwhelming feelings, highlighting a universal human need for help in navigating life's challenges.
The chorus provides a poignant reflection on self-perception and cultural status. Referring to herself as "just an animal" and a "micro-celebrity" signifies a struggle with fame and the feeling of being both visible and invisible simultaneously. This duality captures the paradox of modern social media fame, where individuals may have a spotlight yet feel fundamentally disconnected. It conveys a sense of self-awareness and resignation to the chaos of modern life, acknowledging that despite temporary recognition, there is a deeper longing for genuine connection and meaning. Benee’s reiteration that she "means nothing at all" emphasizes a profound sense of existential questioning, underscoring the notion that external validations do not define one’s worth.
The lyrical themes culminate with the closing verses, which further illuminate the anxiety and internal dialogue that shape her experience. Phrasing like "I hear voices in my head" suggests a struggle with mental health and self-doubt, illuminating the facets of anxiety that often remain unspoken. The imagery of life being dictated by overwhelming forces—"LA fires," "magnifying glass gets hot"—highlights societal and environmental pressures that impact personal experiences. By juxtaposing the notions of feeling alive with a sense of impending demise, Benee captures the high stakes of modern living. Ultimately, "Animal" presents a compelling exploration of youth moments filled with existential angst, the search for connection, and the subtle acknowledgment of both fragility and resilience that defines the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
And can I have like a little bit harder tune, actually?
Could I request a more intense melody to set the mood better?
Please?
I genuinely desire this change.
Wake up, line up, can't stop
Rise and prepare for the day; the relentless pace of life continues.
Too much pressure, might get squashed (squashed)
The overwhelming stress could crush my spirit.
Think I'm special but I'm not
I have an inflated sense of self-importance, although I am ordinary.
The grind, get mine, I'm trying
I'm putting in hard work to achieve my goals.
In this tunnel, I get lost
In this challenging path, I often feel disoriented and confused.
'Cause I'm tiny like a dog
I feel insignificant and small, much like a small pet.
Weight of the world on my back
I carry immense burdens and responsibilities.
Losing myself, my control
I am gradually losing my sense of identity and ability to manage my life.
And if I get stuck in a crack
If I find myself in a tough situation,
Come dig me out of this hole
I need someone to help me out of this difficult place.
And you can't stay mad at me
It's hard to hold a grudge against me for long.
I'm just an animal
I operate on instinct and survival, akin to a wild creature.
A micro-celebrity
I have a small level of fame, insignificant in the grand scheme.
But I mean nothing at all
Ultimately, my status holds no real value.
It hurts but I'm scared to leave
I feel pain in my current situation, yet fear prevents my departure.
Or maybe I'm just too small (too small)
Perhaps my perceived insignificance keeps me tied here.
Everything's big to me
I find the challenges I face overwhelming and daunting.
And I mean nothing at all
In the grand narrative, my existence appears trivial.
LA fires, I get bread
Amidst chaos and destruction, I manage to earn a living.
I'm alive until I'm dead
I exist fully in the present until my life ends.
I can't help it, I'm too scared
My fear dominates my actions; I feel powerless.
I hear voices in my head (like what?)
I experience intrusive thoughts or inner turmoil, questioning their nature.
I've once lived under a rock
At one point, I felt isolated or disconnected from the world.
I'm so tiny, I forgot
I feel so insignificant that I've lost sight of my worth.
Magnifying glass gets hot
When focusing too much on my problems, the pressure intensifies.
Weight of the world on my back
I carry immense burdens and responsibilities.
Losing myself, my control
I am gradually losing my sense of identity and ability to manage my life.
And if I get stuck in a crack
If I find myself in a tough situation,
Come dig me out of this hole (out of this hole)
I need someone to help me out of this difficult place.
And you can't stay mad at me
It's hard to hold a grudge against me for long.
I'm just an animal
I operate on instinct and survival, akin to a wild creature.
A micro-celebrity
I have a small level of fame, insignificant in the grand scheme.
But I mean nothing at all
Ultimately, my status holds no real value.
It hurts but I'm scared to leave (I′m scared to leave)
I'm in pain but paralyzed by fear to move on.
Or maybe I'm just too small (too small)
Perhaps my insignificance contributes to my hesitance.
Everything's big to me
I perceive all challenges as overwhelming.
And I mean nothing at all
In the grand narrative, my existence appears trivial.
Writer(s): Madi Yanofsky, Mike Wise, Stella Rose Bennett
Contributed by Cooper C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jas
on Supalonely
hi