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!.
American Television
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out on my own, fall in love with strangers
Oh no, desire, what are you putting me through
You looked beautiful in 1992
I'm watching what do I wanna be?
Baby, I'm in love with possibility
Give me sex and give me patience
I'm watching, I'm watching
I'm watching American television
I'm watching, I'm watching
I'm watching American television
Back in the day, waiting for a sign to move
I got nothing to say, I got something to prove
Oh me, oh my, teenagers get bored
You looked beautiful in 1994
I'm dreaming, it?s not a fantasy
Baby, I'm in love with reality
Give me joy, give me emotion
I can't wait, I can't wait, change the program
I'm watching, I'm watching
I'm watching American television
I'm watching, I'm watching
I'm watching American television
I'm watching, what do I wanna be?
I'm watching, what do I wanna be?
I'm watching, I'm watching
I'm watching American television
Here we are and now we own the boulevard
We dropped off our fear at the junkyard
Oh man, we can turn it up loud
You look beautiful right here, right now
I'm still watching what do I wanna be
Baby, I'm love with possibility
Gimme sex, indecision
I'm watching American television
I'm watching, I'm watching
I'm watching American television
I'm watching, I'm watching
I'm watching American television
I'm watching, what do I wanna be?
I'm watching, what do I wanna be?
I'm watching, I'm watching
I'm watching American television
I'm watching, what do you wanna be?
I'm watching, what do you wanna be?
I'm watching, I'm watching
I'm watching American
Television
Ben Lee's song "American Television" is a nostalgic reflection on youthful desires and aspirations. The song begins with the singer reminiscing about his teenage years when he fell in love with strangers and struggled with his own desires. He longs for the past when he had nothing to lose and was waiting for a sign to move. The chorus "I'm watching American television" is a metaphor for his desire to escape his reality and the mundane aspects of life.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on his current state and how he owns the boulevard. He has let go of his fear and is able to turn up the volume on his life. He still longs for possibility and is in love with the idea of what he could do but is bogged down by indecision. The song ends with the repeated question "what do I wanna be?".
The lyrics speak to a universal desire to escape the ordinary and strive for something more. The song captures the essence of growing up and discovering oneself while also feeling uncertain about the future. The use of American television as a metaphor emphasizes the power of media and how it shapes our desires and aspirations.
Line by Line Meaning
Back in the day when I was a teenager
Reminiscing about the time when the singer was a young adolescent
Out on my own, fall in love with strangers
Finding new love interests while exploring independence
Oh no, desire, what are you putting me through
Expressing the overwhelming emotions brought on by desire
You looked beautiful in 1992
Romanticizing the past and nostalgia for a previous time
I'm watching what do I wanna be?
Contemplating personal aspirations and future goals
Baby, I'm in love with possibility
Embracing the endless opportunities for personal growth and achievement
Give me sex and give me patience
Desiring both physical pleasure and the time to fully experience it
I can't wait, I can't wait, change the station
Growing impatient and seeking new experiences
Back in the day, waiting for a sign to move
Recalling a time when motivation was lacking and progress was stagnant
I got nothing to say, I got something to prove
Feeling pressure to make a statement and prove oneself
Oh me, oh my, teenagers get bored
Commenting on the easily distracted and restless nature of adolescents
You looked beautiful in 1994
Continuing to romanticize and look back on the past
I'm dreaming, it's not a fantasy
Distinguishing between a dream and a realistic possibility
Baby, I'm in love with reality
Preferring actuality over idealism
Give me joy, give me emotion
Seeking intense experiences and feelings
I can't wait, I can't wait, change the program
Growing impatient and desiring a change in current circumstances
Here we are and now we own the boulevard
Feeling empowered and confident in one's current position
We dropped off our fear at the junkyard
Having overcome past fears and challenges
Oh man, we can turn it up loud
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement
You look beautiful right here, right now
Appreciating the present moment and those around them
I'm still watching what do I wanna be
Continuing to contemplate personal aspirations and goals
Gimme sex, indecision
Desiring both physical pleasure and the freedom to make choices
I'm watching American television
The repeated phrase throughout the song, referring to the influence of media and pop culture on personal aspirations and desires
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BEN LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iDanPrakash
This song was one of my favs back during my 2nd year in high school down here in Melbourne Australia in 2007 ❤️ an underrated gem that i still love and adore today 😊👍
@Jason1904
this song to me was always under rated. i love this song every time i listen to it.
@josebatres2828
Great video and song
@MindyBeee
Never heard this. I like.
@MashedIrony
Oh god the face morphing! I'd forgotten that was a thing people used to do as we were just exploring what editing was capable of XD
@BrianMcAleer
First here. Still love this song and the whole album