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."
Snail
BENEE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't talk, can't speak my mind
Why you wanna waste your time?
Why don't you join me outside?
Everything is good, everything is fine
Thought I'd let you know, having a great time
Wonder why you stay inside
I can't talk, can't speak my mind
I'm like a snail, you're a guy
Kinda mad I can't fly
When it's day, hide away
But come out when it rains
Like a snail, you're a guy
Kinda mad I can't fly
When it's day, hide away
But come out when it rains, when it rains
When it rains
When it rains
When it rains
As I wake, down goes day
Out comes night, look alive
And I'll meet you in the park
The moon will light up my path
Everything's passing by
I ride to you on my bike
While everyone is asleep
Meet at the top of your street
I'm like a snail, you're a guy
Kinda mad I can't fly
When it's day, hide away
But come out when it rains
Like a snail, you're a guy
Kinda mad I can't fly
When it's day, hide away
But come out when it rains, when it rains
When it rains
When it rains
When it rains
Snail
When it rains
When it rains
When it rains
When it rains
I'm like a snail, you're a guy
Kinda mad I can't fly
When it's day, hide away
But come out when it rains
Like a snail, you're a guy
Kinda mad I can't fly
When it's day, hide away
But come out when it rains, when it rains
The lyrics of Benee's song "Snail" are a portrayal of the singer's thoughts as she wonders why her lover chooses to stay inside, rather than venturing outside to join her. She expresses her inability to communicate her thoughts and feelings effectively, which leaves her feeling frustrated. She describes herself as being slow, like a snail, while her lover is a guy who can fly. The use of the metaphor of a snail highlights how she feels weighed down, unable to make quick decisions, and wishes she could soar effortlessly, like her lover.
The lyrics also depict how the singer feels about meeting her lover, despite the challenges that they face. She describes how she wakes up every day, feeling down because her lover is not there, but she tries to remain positive by reminding herself that they will meet in the park that night. She explains that the moon will light her path to him, and despite the obstacles they face, she will ride her bike to be with him.
The chorus, "When it rains," signifies the turning point in the song where the singer feels that her lover's apprehension to join her outside is justified. She chooses to meet him only when it rains, as that is the only time he will leave the shelter of his house, just like a snail that emerges from its shell only when it rains.
Overall, the lyrics of "Snail" portray the singer's longing to be with her lover, while acknowledging the challenges they face while trying to make that happen.
Line by Line Meaning
Wonder why you stay inside
The singer is curious as to why the addressee stays indoors instead of going outside.
I can't talk, can't speak my mind
The singer feels unable to express themselves or communicate effectively.
Why you wanna waste your time?
The singer questions why the addressee chooses to spend their time indoors.
Why don't you join me outside?
The artist suggests that the addressee should come outside and spend time with them.
Everything is good, everything is fine
The artist reassures the addressee that everything is alright and they should not be afraid to go outside.
Thought I'd let you know, having a great time
The singer informs the addressee that they are enjoying themselves and invites them to come join them.
I'm like a snail, you're a guy
The singer compares themselves to a snail and the addressee to a human male, suggesting that they are slow and unable to keep pace with others.
Kinda mad I can't fly
The artist expresses frustration that they are unable to move more quickly or efficiently like a bird.
When it's day, hide away
The artist tends to avoid going outside during the day.
But come out when it rains
The artist prefers to venture outside when it is raining, perhaps because they feel more comfortable or are more easily hidden.
As I wake, down goes day
The singer notes the transition from day to night as they wake up or become more alert.
Out comes night, look alive
The artist becomes more aware and energized as the night-time arrives.
And I'll meet you in the park
The singer plans to meet the addressee in the park, likely a place where they can enjoy nature and be left alone.
The moon will light up my path
The singer relies on the moonlight to help them navigate the outdoors at night.
Everything's passing by
The singer notes the passage of time and events as they ride their bike to meet the addressee.
I ride to you on my bike
The artist uses a bike to travel to meet the addressee.
While everyone is asleep
The artist goes out at night when most others are sleeping.
Meet at the top of your street
The singer suggests they meet the addressee at the end of their street, likely a quiet and secluded spot.
When it rains
The singer reiterates their preference for going outside during rainy weather.
Snail
The artist repeats the title of the song, referencing their comparison to a slow-moving snail.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joshua Marc Fountain, Stella Bennett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fernanda Solano
Wonder why you stay inside
I can't talk, can't speak my mind
Why you wanna waste your time?
Why don't you join me outside?
Everything is good, everything is fine
Thought I'd let you know, having a great time
Wonder why you stay inside
I can't talk, can't speak my mind
I'm like a snail, you're a guy
Kinda mad I can't fly
When it's day, hide away
But come out when it rains
Like a snail, you're a guy
Kinda mad I can't fly
When it's day, hide away
But come out when it rains, when it rains
When it rains
When it rains
When it rains
As I wake, down goes day
Out comes night, look alive
And I'll meet you in the park
The moon will light up my path
Everything's passing by
I ride to you on my bike
While everyone is asleep
Meet at the top of your street
I'm like a snail, you're a guy
Kinda mad I can't fly
When it's day, hide away
But come out when it rains
Like a snail, you're a guy
Kinda mad I can't fly
When it's day, hide away
But come out when it rains, when it rains
When it rains
When it rains
When it rains
Snail
When it rains
When it rains
When it rains
When it rains
I'm like a snail, you're a guy
Kinda mad I can't fly
When it's day, hide away
But come out when it rains
Like a snail, you're a guy
Kinda mad I can't fly
When it's day, hide away
But come out when it rains, when it rains
❤❤❤❤❤❤
TheAMaazing
How do you so consistently post bops??? Thank you???????
feng
TheAMaazing HIIII!
Twinkelry
Amazing how people haven’t found this comment yet, it only has 2 likes . I’m amazed
TeaMoon
Well I guess we have great taste in music
futurist
We have the same taste in music?!!!
Kenny
TheAMaazing right maz she’s always posting the greatest shit ever
keona
SHE NEEDS MORE HYPE
SHE IS SO UNDERATED
Her music is so good
Coffeelait
IKR
foblobster
I reaaalllyyy don’t wanna gatekeep her but i don’t want her to become overrated or anything
Chase the Master
Facts