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!.
Away With The Pixies
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You won't let me forget it
You can change your name
And make me remember it
And they think that you're too much for words
But they don't know how to show it
They've labeled you most likely to succeed
I don't want your stories anymore
They were fun when I was four
I'd do away with the pixies
If you could give me something more
She's away with the pixies
We'll work it out
We'll make it worthwhile
Cause you can't always change your name
Like your clothes go out of style
And they're jealous cause you know so much
They can't quite get a grip
You're everything they wish they were
You never miss a trick
I don't want your stories anymore
They were fun when I was four
I'd do away with the pixies
If you could give me something more
She's away with the pixies
The lyrics to Ben Lee's song "Away With The Pixies" are about growing out of childhood fantasies and yearning for something more substantial in life. The opening lines, "I'll cross your path, you won't let me forget it, you can change your name and make me remember it" suggest a complicated relationship, possibly with someone who is elusive or hard to pin down. The next lines, "And they think that you're too much for words, but they don't know how to show it, they've labeled you most likely to succeed, though you don't know how they'd know it" could refer to the same person, or to a group of people that the singer feels left behind by.
The chorus emphasizes the idea of growing up and leaving childish things behind, with the lyrics "I don't want your stories anymore, they were fun when I was four, I'd do away with the pixies if you could give me something more" suggesting a desire for deeper connection and meaning. The bridge, "We'll work it out, we'll make it worthwhile, cause you can't always change your name like your clothes go out of style" could be interpreted as a message of hope for reconciliation or a renewed sense of purpose.
Overall, "Away With The Pixies" speaks to the universal experience of growing up and out of childhood fantasies, and the bittersweet realization that more substantial things are required to find genuine fulfillment in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll cross your path
I will meet you in person at some point
You won't let me forget it
I will remember our encounter due to its impact on me
You can change your name
You have the power to alter your identity
And make me remember it
Despite your name change, I will always recall you
And they think that you're too much for words
Others find you to be impressive beyond description
But they don't know how to show it
However, they struggle to demonstrate their admiration for you
They've labeled you most likely to succeed
They have categorized you as a probable achiever
Though you don't know how they'd know it
You are unsure of the reasons behind this designation
I don't want your stories anymore
I am uninterested in hearing your fictitious tales
They were fun when I was four
In the past, I used to enjoy hearing your stories
I'd do away with the pixies
I wish to eliminate the imaginary creatures from your tales
If you could give me something more
I desire a more meaningful conversation or connection
She's away with the pixies
She is lost in her imagination or distracted from reality
We'll work it out
We will find a solution or compromise
We'll make it worthwhile
Our effort or time investment will be beneficial
Cause you can't always change your name
It is not always possible to modify your identity
Like your clothes go out of style
Similar to how fashion trends change
And they're jealous cause you know so much
Others envy your knowledge or intellect
They can't quite get a grip
However, they are unable to comprehend or grasp your wisdom
You're everything they wish they were
You represent the qualities or traits that others desire
You never miss a trick
You are always aware or alert to what is happening
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BENJAMIN MICHAEL LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind