He graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in biology. After that, he moved to New York City to work as a producer and sound-engineer at a local recording studio.
Ben was discovered by Joseph Janus of Fearless Management, who originally wanted to sign Ben as a model. Instead, Ben handed him a demo, and shortly thereafter, he was signed to a label and released his debut album "Give It All Away". His music has been featured on One Tree Hill, Smallville, Las Vegas, and was used to promote the Academy Award Nominated "Finding Neverland" starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. He has also written music for Tori Amos' RAINN organization and joined the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Wildlife Works. Ben also independently released the EP "Rejected" through Fearless Management Records in 2005.
In 2007, Ben Jelen released a proper followup to "Give It All Away". The CD is called "Ex-Sensitive" (formerly titled "East" and "Pulse") and it was released on Custard Records. This album is all about love, but unlike his debut, this album does not focus on romantic love, but love for the earth and the environment.
Give It All Away
Ben Jelen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fleeing from the time when she wanted me to stay
My world is swirling 'round, this time I know it well
Our love is coming down again
Then I realize inside me, I've had myself all wrong
This time I know for certain, I've never been that strong
The moment you remember, those times you stop to think
But with demons sitting at my side
An angel's come to ask me why
And slowly I give up inside to say
To feel alive, I'd give it all away
Destructive words to make it so, but none of this is you, you know
Another year, another week, another set of summer sheets
Another “we should hang out again soon”
Another drink, another kiss
And with demons sitting at my side
Another angel asks me why
And it doesn't take too much to say
To feel alive, I'd give it all away
Again, and again and again
Then she's sitting at my side
An angel's come to ask me why
And it takes nothing to say
To feel alive, I'll give it all away
The lyrics of Ben Jelen's song, Give It All Away, narrate a story of a lost love that is trying to find its way back. The singer is swinging around in circles, searching for the right direction, while escaping from the memory of the time when his lover wanted him to stay. He is aware that their love is coming down again, and he is caught up in the swirl of emotions. However, the realization that he has been wrong about himself all this time, strikes him. The singer remembers the moments he had with his lover before and realizes that he has never been strong enough to keep their love alive. Although he is continually haunted by demons, an angel asks him why he has given up. The singer admits that to feel alive, he'd give it all away.
The verse repeats itself, and the singer describes the progression of time with another year, a week, a new set of summer sheets, and an occasional drink or kiss. He is still affected by the demons, but another angel asks him the same question. The singer never hesitates to say that he would give it all away just to feel alive. However, towards the end of the song, the singer is sitting beside his lover, and an angel asks him the same question again. The singer realizes that he has already given it all away, just to be beside the one he loves.
The song revolves around the pain of losing love, the struggle to keep it alive, and the willingness to sacrifice everything to feel alive. The singer exposes his vulnerabilities, regrets, and hopelessness in a way that is relatable and moving to anyone who has gone through similar experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Swinging 'round in circles, looking for the way
Feeling lost and confused while searching for a direction in life.
Fleeing from the time when she wanted me to stay
Running away from a past relationship where the other person wanted them to stay.
My world is swirling 'round, this time I know it well
Feeling overwhelmed by emotions, and recognizing that it's a recurring pattern.
Our love is coming down again
The relationship is falling apart once again.
Then I realize inside me, I've had myself all wrong
Realizing that one has been mistaken about their beliefs or perceptions of themselves.
This time I know for certain, I've never been that strong
Recognizing that they don't have the strength to continue in the relationship.
The moment you remember, those times you stop to think
Reflecting on past memories of the relationship and how it's affecting them.
Our love will come undone again
The relationship is ending once more.
But with demons sitting at my side
Feeling haunted by negative thoughts or past experiences.
An angel's come to ask me why
Feeling conflicted between making a positive or negative decision.
And slowly I give up inside to say
Feeling defeated and giving up on trying to make the relationship work.
To feel alive, I'd give it all away
Feeling like one needs to give up everything to feel alive and happy.
Destructive words to make it so, but none of this is you, you know
Saying hurtful things to end the relationship, but realizing that the other person is not to blame.
Another year, another week, another set of summer sheets
The passage of time and the repetition of certain experiences, like changing sheets with the seasons.
Another “we should hang out again soon”
The common phrase people say after catching up, but rarely following through with it.
Another drink, another kiss
Compulsively repeating bad habits or behaviors.
And it doesn't take too much to say
The decision to end the relationship doesn't take much effort.
Again, and again and again
Repeating the same cycle of emotions and behavior in a relationship.
Then she's sitting at my side
The other person returns, possibly to try to reconcile the relationship.
And it takes nothing to say
They quickly realize they still have the same feelings and fail to resist the temptation of wanting to be with them.
To feel alive, I'll give it all away
Feeling like giving up everything to make it work with the other person is worth it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BENJAMIN I. JELEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind