1999's Breathing Tornados marked a new direction for Lee as he introduced synths and increased instrumentation into his sound. The album was a huge success, with the first single, "Cigarettes Will Kill You", finishing second in that year's Triple J Hottest 100. Lee also enjoyed success with the single "Something Borrowed, Something Blue" - from the album hey you. yes you. - reaching no 22 in 2002's Triple J Hottest 100.
In 2001 he joined forces with Evan Dando, Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick and Jason Schwartzman of Phantom Planet and acting fame. Calling themselves Dando Lee Petersson Schwartzman, they recorded a single, "Dead or Anything", at Globe Studios, New York.
During 2003 he teamed up with Ben Kweller and Ben Folds for a side project entitled The Bens. They recorded four songs together in Nashville, resulting in a self-titled EP.
In late 2004, he left Steve Pavlovic's Modular Recordings and started up his own record label, Ten Fingers. The first release on the label was the single, "Gamble Everything For Love", followed by the album, Awake Is The New Sleep in February 2005. A defining release in his career, the album showcased a much brighter, positive side of Lee's personality, in contrast to his previous darker musings. Awake Is The New Sleep received several nominations for the 2005 Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) awards, and Lee won Best Male Artist, Best Independent Release, and Single Of The Year for "Catch My Disease". Catch My Disease was also number 2 on the 2005 Triple J Hottest 100.
In September 2007, Lee released his sixth solo album, named "Ripe" after the final song on the record. The album is somewhat controversial, with most songs relating in some way to sex, lust and love. Mandy Moore features on the album in the song "Birds and Bees", and Benji Madden plays electric guitar in "Sex Without Love". It also features Sara Watkins, Rachael Yamagata, Charlotte Martin, Ned Bower, Taylor Locke and Robert Schwatzman (who is also credited for co-writing 'Sex Without Love'). It was a big step away from the spiritual "Awake is the New Sleep", but shows Lee's need for change in songs. The album was produced by John Alagia and released under the Inertia/Ten Fingers label 'Awake is the New Sleep' was released under.
February 2009 brought the release of his latest LP entitled "The Rebirth of Venus." This release also includes a bonus disk that includes six cover songs that Ben has done including "Kids" by MGMT and "New Wave" by Against Me!.
A Month Today
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Done more than some their whole lives unfold
Still at school just saving face
But a month today I'll be leaving this place
I've lived a million lives so far
But I'm still naive and a broken heart
I feel like I've heard it all before
You wouldn't believe half the things I've seen
Way too much for just 18
I've written songs about them all so far
And played them all on an acoustic guitar
Life is good, it's been alright to me
I've recorded my heart on a couple LP's
It all comes down to the same old thing
Trying to find someone to share it with
I'm lost, I know that the world is weird
I'm swimming in waters that I used to fear
Crazy things have made me kind of tough
Sometimes I think that I've seen too much
Just 18 I've seen the world
Done more than some their whole lives unfold
Still at school just saving face
But a month today I'll be leaving this place
But a month today I'll be leaving this place
The lyrics to Ben Lee's song A Month Today paint a picture of a teenager who has lived a lifetime in just 18 years. Despite still attending school, the singer has experienced more than most people do over the course of their entire lives. However, there is a sense of naivety and a broken heart that suggests a loss of innocence along the way. The singer feels like they have heard it all before, but acknowledges that they still have a whole life ahead of them to hear a lot more.
The lyrics convey a feeling of being lost and adrift in the world, but also a sense of resilience and a desire to find someone to share life's experiences with. The line "I'm swimming in waters that I used to fear" paints a vivid metaphor for the singer's sense of being out of their depth, but perhaps finding a way to cope with it. The final "But a month today I'll be leaving this place" seems to imply that the singer is ready to move on from their current state of disorientation and seek out new adventures.
Overall, the lyrics to A Month Today capture the paradox of being young and having already seen so much of life, while still feeling like there is so much more to come. The song speaks to the universal experience of growing up and trying to find one's place in the world, and the mix of uncertainty, courage, and longing that comes along with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Just 18 I've seen the world
Even though I'm young, I have had so many experiences and seen so much of the world already.
Done more than some their whole lives unfold
I have accomplished more in my short life than some people do in their entire lifetime.
Still at school just saving face
I may still be in school, but I'm just going through the motions and trying to maintain appearances.
But a month today I'll be leaving this place
Soon, I will be leaving this dull and ordinary place for more adventure and excitement.
I've lived a million lives so far
I have had so many varied and diverse experiences that it feels like I have lived a million different lives already.
But I'm still naive and a broken heart
Despite my experiences, I am still young and innocent, and my heart has been broken and hurt.
I feel like I've heard it all before
Sometimes I feel like I've already seen and experienced everything the world has to offer.
With a whole life ahead to hear a whole lot more
But I know there is so much more out there for me to see and do in my lifetime.
You wouldn't believe half the things I've seen
I have experienced some truly unbelievable things that most people would have trouble believing or even imagining.
Way too much for just 18
The amount of experiences I've had at such a young age is almost overwhelming.
I've written songs about them all so far
My experiences have inspired me to write many songs, each one telling a story or capturing a moment in time.
And played them all on an acoustic guitar
I may not have all the fancy equipment, but I use what I have to share my music and stories with the world.
Life is good, it's been alright to me
Overall, I'm happy with my life and how things have turned out for me so far.
I've recorded my heart on a couple LP's
I have expressed my deepest thoughts and emotions in my music, and I have recorded these songs on a couple of albums.
It all comes down to the same old thing
No matter what happens in life, everything always seems to come back to the same basic human need: finding someone to share it all with.
Trying to find someone to share it with
Ultimately, my biggest hope and dream is to find someone to share my life and my adventures with.
I'm lost, I know that the world is weird
Sometimes I feel lost and confused, and I know that the world can be a strange and confusing place.
I'm swimming in waters that I used to fear
But I'm also learning to face and conquer my fears, and I'm taking risks and exploring new territory.
Crazy things have made me kind of tough
The crazy and challenging experiences I've had in life have made me stronger and more resilient.
Sometimes I think that I've seen too much
At times, I wonder if I've seen and experienced too much, and if it's all starting to take a toll on me.
Just 18 I've seen the world
Once again, I remind myself that even though I'm still young, I have already seen so much of the world.
Done more than some their whole lives unfold
And I still feel like there is so much more out there for me to experience and explore.
Still at school just saving face
But for now, I'm just trying to get through school and maintain my image and reputation.
But a month today I'll be leaving this place
But soon, I will be leaving all of this behind and embarking on the next great adventure.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BENJAMIN MICHAEL LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind