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.
Rocks
Ben Jelen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I watch you bring your canvas into light.
Oh I know that's how you see the world,
I know that you see anything you like.
But now I'm doubting me,
I know I shouldn't be, but I've been down,
I've been down
Well it's killing me not having it.
It's hard to not remember,
Forget it's not the same,
When still you come and tell me,
'Sorry I came without an invitation - just wanted to be loved.'
The last perfect thing,
You know that you bring me back to life.
Oh, on and on and on and on,
I think about you all day long,
I need you to be stronger.
'Cause now I'm doubting me,
I know I shouldn't be, but I've been down,
I've been down
'Cause it was love wasn't it?
Well it's killing me not having it.
It's hard to not remember,
Yet it's not the same,
When still you come and tell me baby,
'I came without an invitation - just wanted to be loved.'
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
I hear the sound,
And I know that you'll be coming 'round
(You know I'll wait) You know I'll wait for you.
Oh love, it's killing me not having it.
I need you to be stronger,
Don't want to hear the sound,
'Cause rocks upon my window mean that you're coming 'round.
And how could I resist when I think you're still in love.
How can I move on when I want to be in love with you.
Oh, with you
In this song, "Rocks," Ben Jelen is describing a tumultuous relationship with someone who he believes has the power to bring life into everything around them. Jelen watches as this person creates art ("canvas") with strokes of dark, but also illuminates it with light. He admits that this person sees the world in a unique way, finding beauty in unexpected places. However, amidst all of this, Jelen finds himself doubting his own worth and experience. He feels as though he has been down before, likely in previous relationships, and questions his ability to love and be loved. The chorus repeats the sentiment that their love was strong, but that not having it is killing Jelen. Despite the pain, he is still driven by his desire for this person, waiting for them to come back even though they have not been invited.
Line by Line Meaning
Strokes of dark, a brush of light,
The contrast between darkness and light is present in your art.
I watch you bring your canvas into light.
I see you bringing life to your art and displaying it for the world to see.
Oh I know that's how you see the world,
I understand that you perceive the world with your own unique perspective.
I know that you see anything you like.
You have the power to find beauty in everything you encounter.
But now I'm doubting me,
However, my own confidence is faltering.
I know I shouldn't be, but I've been down,
I acknowledge that I shouldn't feel this way, but my emotions have taken over.
'Cause it was love wasn't it?
My doubts stem from the realization that what we shared was love.
Well it's killing me not having it.
The absence of that love is causing me pain and heartache.
It's hard to not remember,
It's difficult for me to forget the memories and emotions we shared.
Forget it's not the same,
Even trying to forget those memories doesn't change the reality of our situation.
When still you come and tell me,
Despite our current circumstances, you still reach out to me.
'Sorry I came without an invitation - just wanted to be loved.'
Apologizing for appearing without warning, but admitting that you still crave love and connection.
The last perfect thing,
The only remaining thing that brought perfection into my life.
You know that you bring me back to life.
You have the power to revive my spirit and bring me out of despair.
Oh, on and on and on and on,
My thoughts and memories of you seem to go on endlessly.
I think about you all day long,
You are my constant thought and focus throughout the day.
I need you to be stronger.
I need you to have the strength to endure and overcome these obstacles.
'Cause now I'm doubting me,
My self-doubt is persisting and becoming stronger.
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
With each passing day, my feelings remain unchanged.
I hear the sound,
I hear a noise that signifies your arrival.
And I know that you'll be coming 'round
I know that you will appear and enter my life once again.
(You know I'll wait) You know I'll wait for you.
Despite everything, I'll continue to wait for you because my feelings remain the same.
Oh love, it's killing me not having it.
Love is the only thing missing from my life and it's causing me pain and suffering.
Don't want to hear the sound,
The noise signifying your arrival brings pain and memories that I'm trying to avoid.
'Cause rocks upon my window mean that you're coming 'round.
The sound of rocks hitting my window confirms that you're returning to my life.
And how could I resist when I think you're still in love.
I can't resist the idea that you still have feelings for me.
How can I move on when I want to be in love with you.
I cannot begin to move on with my life when I'm still in love with you.
Oh, with you
I'm still in love with you and cannot imagine my life without you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BENJAMIN I. JELEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GrifterUno
I like the songwritin' of this song...!!!
@glensnodgrass4759
still a favorite
@SceneKiddd16
i <3 this song.....
@Mirandalorian924
@MissGloriaSophia were you on the boards? I remember you! I'm Miranda. for the life of me, I can't remember my username there though. rfrawkmysox924 I think was one. how are you?
@canpreston7076
I remember the boards.
@jennyoriley
he looks like Nathan Keyes with long hair ^-^
@lolomgbrb1
Holy fuck. No one has commented on this video in 4 years.
@Der3licTfish
Ben Jelen would make a good Jon Snow.
@geewayislovesucka
he's getting married :]]]
@lordgodkingbufu2158
now seems like they're divorcing :/