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!.
Bad Poetry
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lovin' you makes me wanna tell you things you've never been told
Lovin' you makes me wanna write bad poetry
Loving you makes me wanna waste my time
So tell me, what's it gonna take to change your mind?
(Lovin' you) how much bad poetry?
It's between you and me, this bad poetry
Lovin' you, maybe baby
Lovin' you, by the phone alone
Lovin' you, please I'm on my knees
And that's bad poetry
Lovin' you, like a rose in June
Lovin' you, fly me to the moon
Lovin' you, makes me wanna write bad poetry
And I love you so much, please don't show anyone this stuff
It's between you and me, this bad poetry
And I love you so much, please don't show anyone this stuff
While search for a rhyme, 'cause I'm running out of time
It's between you and me, this bad poetry
This bad poetry
Oh, this bad poetry
This bad poetry
The song "Bad Poetry" by Ben Lee describes the feelings and emotions of love that make someone want to express it in words, even if those words may not be poetic or refined. The first two lines of the first verse reveal the strong urge to reveal everything to a loved one, even the things that have never been said before. It's as if loving someone encourages one's thoughts to flow out and paint a picture of that love in their mind. The chorus repeats the phrase "Lovin' you makes me wanna write bad poetry," emphasizing the unpolished expression of the love being experienced.
The second verse sees the singer requesting what it would take to make the person they love to change their mind, as if expecting a response that would reciprocate the same love interest. The following lines show how the thought of the loved one inspires them to write, and that's enough to spend time enjoying the feeling of loving them. The phrase, "it's between you and me, this bad poetry," is repeated throughout the song, which portrays the intimacy of the relationship.
Overall, the song relays the message that love is not a rational feeling. It is a feeling that can make someone want to write, sing and speak even in ways that may not be considered good or decent. It's a raw expression inspired by the impulse of emotion. And that no matter how bad someone's poetry may seem, the person they love is always willing to accept it simply because it's coming from someone they love.
Line by Line Meaning
Lovin' you makes me wanna spill my heart and soul
Loving you instills a desire within me to open up and share my deepest feelings and secrets.
Lovin' you makes me wanna tell you things you've never been told
Loving you inspires me to disclose things that I've never revealed to anyone before.
Lovin' you makes me wanna write bad poetry
Loving you spurs me to write and express my feelings, even if the result is cheesy or poorly written.
Loving you makes me wanna waste my time
Loving you leads me to spend my time in ways that may not be productive or valuable to others.
So tell me, what's it gonna take to change your mind?
What actions or words must I use to convince you to feel differently than you do now?
(Lovin' you) how much bad poetry?
Is my love for you sufficient to expect excessive amounts of poorly written poetry?
And I love you so much, please don't show anyone this stuff
I care for you deeply, please don't share this writing with others.
It's between you and me, this bad poetry
This writing is only meant for you and me to read and share.
Lovin' you, maybe baby
I am unsure about my feelings for you.
Lovin' you, by the phone alone
I only feel affection for you through our phone conversations.
Lovin' you, please I'm on my knees
I am begging for your love.
And that's bad poetry
My expression of love for you may be construed as cheesy or insincere.
Lovin' you, like a rose in June
My love for you is beautiful, seasonal, and fleeting.
Lovin' you, fly me to the moon
My love for you is out of this world and impossible to describe.
And I love you so much, please don't show anyone this stuff
I feel deeply for you, please don't share this with anyone else.
While search for a rhyme, 'cause I'm running out of time
As I search for words to express my love, I'm feeling the pressure of a deadline approaching.
This bad poetry
This poetry about my love may be considered cheesy or not good.
Oh, this bad poetry
This type of emotional manifestation towards you might not be acceptable, but I can't help it.
This bad poetry
The type of poetry that I produce may not have merit, but it is from my heart.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind