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."
C U
BENEE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't get that stuff off my feet
You say something that makes me laugh
For a second, thought you had my heart
The dewy mist that cools my lips
Your jumper's good for days like this
I know that we both want it
Mm
If I could stay, you know I would
I like it here, deep in the woods
But we know that it won't last long
It feels so good to have someone
I'll see you
I'll catch you 'round
I'll see you
I have to be somewhere else
Shadow of a tree
Falling of the leaves
So peacefully we lie
Watching stars as they shoot by
As the waves roll out
I stay at your house
You roll your curtains down
Bliss surrounds us now
If I could stay, you know I would
I like it here, deep in the woods
But we know that it won't last long
It feels so good to have someone
I'll see you
I'll see you
I have to be somewhere else
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
I'll see you
I'll catch you 'round
I'll see you
I have to be somewhere else
The lyrics to BENEE's song "C U" tell a story of a fleeting and ephemeral connection between two individuals. The sand metaphorically represents the remnants of a past relationship that the singer can't seem to shake off. The line "You say something that makes me laugh, for a second, thought you had my heart" suggests that there was a momentary spark or attraction, but it quickly dissipates. Despite enjoying the company and the peaceful moments spent together, it is acknowledged that the situation is temporary. The lyrics express a bittersweet longing to stay in the present moment, deep in the woods, but the reality is that they must be somewhere else.
The verses evoke a sense of tranquility, describing the dewy mist, the comfort of a jumper on a breezy day, and the calming effect of nature. The chorus repeats the phrase "I'll see you, I'll catch you 'round, I'll see you, I have to be somewhere else," highlighting the transitory nature of their connection. The song captures the paradoxical feelings of longing for something more while simultaneously recognizing the impermanence of the relationship.
Overall, "C U" explores the beauty and sadness of temporary connections and the desire to hold onto fleeting moments of happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
The sand is everywhere it seems
Sand is scattered all over, it's hard to get rid of
I can't get that stuff off my feet
I struggle to remove the sand from my feet
You say something that makes me laugh
Your words bring me joy and make me laugh
For a second, thought you had my heart
At one point, I thought you had my affection and love
The dewy mist that cools my lips
The refreshing mist that brings a cooling sensation to my lips
Your jumper's good for days like this
Your sweater is perfect for these kind of days
I know that we both want it
I am aware that we both desire the same thing
If I could stay, you know I would
If I had the choice, I would stay by your side
I like it here, deep in the woods
I enjoy being in this secluded forest area
But we know that it won't last long
However, we are aware that this situation is temporary
It feels so good to have someone
Having someone with me brings a sense of contentment
I'll see you
I will encounter you again
I'll catch you 'round
I will meet up with you later
I have to be somewhere else
I am obligated to be in a different place
Shadow of a tree
The silhouette created by a tree's shadow
Falling of the leaves
The descent of leaves from trees
So peacefully we lie
We lay down calmly and serenely
Watching stars as they shoot by
Observing shooting stars in the sky
As the waves roll out
The waves recede from the shore
I stay at your house
I remain at your residence
You roll your curtains down
You lower your curtains, creating a cozy atmosphere
Bliss surrounds us now
We are currently enveloped in a state of pure happiness
Ooh, ooh
Vocal expression of an emotional response
I'll see you
I will encounter you again
I'll catch you 'round
I will meet up with you later
I have to be somewhere else
I am obligated to be in a different place
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joshua Marc Fountain, Stella Bennett, Jason Lee P. Schoushkoff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@montserratenguita5427
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@FishSauce19
"C U"
The sand is everywhere it seems
I can't get that stuff off my feet
You say something that makes me laugh
For a second, thought you had my heart
The dewy mist that cools my lips
Your jumper's good for days like this
I know that we both want it
Mmm
If I could stay, you know I would
I like it here, deep in the woods
But we know that it won't last long
It feels so good to have someone
I'll see you
I'll catch you 'round
I'll see you
I have to be somewhere else
Shadow of a tree
Falling of the leaves
So peacefully we lie
Watching stars as they shoot by
As the waves roll out
I stay at your house
You roll your curtains down
Bliss surrounds us now
If I could stay, you know I would
I like it here, deep in the woods
But we know that it won't last long
It feels so good to have someone
I'll see you
I'll catch you 'round
I'll see you
I have to be somewhere else
Ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
I'll see you
I'll catch you 'round
I'll see you
I have to be somewhere else
@micaelabottaro6142
Lyrics/Letra (English/Español)
[Verse 1]
The sand is everywhere it seems
I can't get that stuff off my feet
You say something that makes me laugh
For a second, thought you had my heart
The dewy mist, it cools my lips
Your jumper's good for days like this
I know that we both want it, mmm
[Chorus]
If I could stay, you know I would
I like it here deep in the woods
But we know that it won't last long
It feels so good to have someone
[Post-Chorus]
I'll see you
I'll catch you 'round
I'll see you
I have to be somewhere else
[Verse 2]
Shadow of a tree
Falling of the leaves
So peacefully we lie
Watching stars as they shoot by
As the waves roll out
I stay at your house
You roll your curtains down
Bliss surrounds us now
Chorus]
If I could stay, you know I would
I likе it here deep in the woods
But wе know that it won't last long
It feels so good to have someone
[Post-Chorus]
I'll see you
I'll catch you 'round
I'll see you
I have to be somewhere else
[Bridge]
Ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
[Post-Chorus]
I'll see you
I'll catch you 'round
I'll see you
I have to be somewhere else
[Verso 1]
La arena está en todas partes, parece
No puedo quitarme esa cosa de los pies
Dices algo que me hace reir
Por un segundo pensé que tenías mi corazón
La niebla húmeda, enfría mis labios
Tu jersey es bueno para días como este
Sé que los dos lo queremos, mmm
[Coro]
Si pudiera quedarme, sabes que lo haría
Me gusta estar aquí en lo profundo del bosque
Pero sabemos que no durará mucho
Se siente tan bien tener a alguien
[Post-Coro]
Te veré
Te atraparé
Te veré
Tengo que estar en otro lugar
[Verso 2]
Sombra de un árbol
Caída de las hojas
Tan pacíficamente mentimos
Viendo las estrellas mientras pasan
Mientras las olas se despliegan
Me quedo en tu casa
Bajas las cortinas
La dicha nos rodea ahora
Coro]
Si pudiera quedarme, sabes que lo haría
Me gusta estar aquí en lo profundo del bosque
Pero sabemos que no durará mucho
Se siente tan bien tener a alguien
[Post-Coro]
Te veré
Te atraparé
Te veré
Tengo que estar en otro lugar
[Puente]
Ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
[Post-Coro]
Te veré
Te atraparé
Te veré
Tengo que estar en otro lugar
@a.k.m7771
Lyrics
The sand is everywhere it seems
I can't get that stuff off my feet
You say something that makes me laugh
For a second, thought you had my heart
The dewy mist, it cools my lips
Your jumper's good for days like this
I know that we both want it, mmm
If I could stay, you know I would
I like it here deep in the woods
But we know that it won't last long
It feels so good to have someone
I'll see you
I'll catch you 'round
I'll see you
I have to be somewhere else
Shadow of a tree
Falling of the leaves
So peacefully we lie
Watching stars as they shoot by
As the waves roll out
I stay at your house
You roll your curtains down
Bliss surrounds us now
If I could stay, you know I would
I likе it here deep in the woods
But wе know that it won't last long
It feels so good to have someone
I'll see you
I'll catch you 'round
I'll see you
I have to be somewhere else
Ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
I'll see you
I'll catch you 'round
I'll see you
I have to be somewhere else
@isabellanola1442
This album is like it came out of me. All these songs are so relatable and such a vibe. Will definitely have a breakdown over the fact this is so good.
@kat-avenue4164
She's really amazing
@stefan2serb
it's a special body of work
@riverfinder5999
That's amazing, her music is so beautiful
@shaynahope4670
Frt😂
@shaynahope4670
Same 🥲
@briannaa7301
I love how relaxing this song feels
@andria8279
IKR?!
@carlos_splash_roblox
Yess 😊😍
@Dollftf
eu sei, cu relaxa demais.