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.
Wicked Little Town
Ben Jelen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And hurricanes and rains
And black and cloudy skies.
You're running up and down that hill.
You turn it on and off at will.
There's nothing here to thrill
Or bring you down.
You know you can follow my voice
Through the dark turns and noise
Of this wicked little town.
Oh Lady, luck has led you here
And they're so twisted up
They'll twist you up. I fear.
The pious, hateful and devout,
You're turning tricks till you're turned out,
The wind so cold it burns,
You're burning out
and blowing round.
And if you've got no other choice
You know you can follow my voice
Through the dark turns and noise
Of this wicked little town.
The fates are vicious
and they're cruel.
You learn too late you've used two wishes like a fool
And then you're someone you are not,
And Junction City ain't the spot,
Remember Mrs. Lot
And when she turned around.
And if you've got no other choice
You know you can follow my voice
Through the dark turns and noise
Of this wicked little town.
Of this wicked little town.
The lyrics of Ben Jelen's "Wicked Little Town" speak about a town that is rotten, full of deceit, and with little-to-no hope. The opening verse sets a somber tone, with the sun being in the singer's eyes, which represents the struggles they face. Then, the writer, who is presumably a friend, assures the listener that they can make it out of the town. They're running up and down a hill, using a metaphor for life's ups and downs, but their ability to turn it on and off highlights their control over their situation. However, the writer admits that there's nothing to excite or bring them down, making it hard to leave or stay.
In the second verse, the writer warns the singer about the dangers that lie ahead. She has nowhere else to go and has to keep wandering around town, turning tricks and just getting by. The wind is cold and burning, matching her desperation to make it out of town. Then the writer reminds the singer of the story of Mrs. Lot, who turned into salt after looking behind her when fleeing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The writer tries to motivate the singer to keep looking forward and not to look back.
The song overall deals with themes of running away from a destructive environment, making misguided choices, and learning to live with the consequences. It’s a hopeful song despite the seemingly bleak subject matter.
Line by Line Meaning
You know, the sun is in your eyes
You are struggling to see clearly and make decisions.
And hurricanes and rains
And black and cloudy skies.
You are experiencing turbulence and uncertainty in your life.
You're running up and down that hill.
You turn it on and off at will.
There's nothing here to thrill
Or bring you down.
Your life is stagnant; there is nothing exciting or depressing in it to motivate you.
And if you've got no other choice
You know you can follow my voice
Through the dark turns and noise
Of this wicked little town.
If you're feeling lost and helpless, I (the singer) can guide you through the difficult and confusing times in this small, unpleasant town.
Oh Lady, luck has led you here
And they're so twisted up
They'll twist you up. I fear.
You have landed here purely by chance, and the corrupt people here will manipulate and corrupt you too.
The pious, hateful and devout,
You're turning tricks till you're turned out,
The wind so cold it burns,
You're burning out
and blowing round.
The people here may pretend to be righteous, but they treat others horribly. You are working tirelessly in harsh conditions, and the situation is exhausting.
The fates are vicious
and they're cruel.
You learn too late you've used two wishes like a fool
Life is unfair and unkind, and you often regret your choices.
And then you're someone you are not,
And Junction City ain't the spot,
Remember Mrs. Lot
And when she turned around.
In this town, you may be forced to act in ways that don't align with your character, and ultimately this place will not bring you happiness. Think of Mrs. Lot, who was turned into a pillar of salt for looking back.
Of this wicked little town.
This place is a small, unpleasant community that is difficult to navigate and hope to leave behind.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEPHEN TRASK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind