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!.
Boy With A Barbie
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a boy with a barbie from the start
Don't think it meant to break my heart
I was a boy with a barbie this is beautiful and true
I had a crush on every girl I saw they never knew
I've never told a single soul but you
We don't have to play by their rules
I don't know where it started, all these roles and make believe
Just a boy with a totem make believe
Now it seems naive, I kept my heart upon my sleeve
I was a boy with a barbie and the teachers looked concerned
Although they tried to stop me getting burned
I guess they didn't realize it would hurt
Boys with their barbies and girls with toy armies
We don't have to play by their rules
Boys being prudes while the girls make thier moves
We don't have to play by their rules
So let them wear that dress, let them make that mess
Let 'em take that fall, let 'em kick that ball
And thank to the ones that tried to stop my fun
You made me what I am, you made me what I am
You made me a man
Boys with their barbies and girls with toy armies
We don't have to play by their rules
Boys staying home while their girls on the run
We don't have to play by their rules
Play by their rules
Ben Lee's song "Boy With A Barbie" explores the societal notion that boys should play with traditionally masculine toys, such as action figures and toy guns, whereas girls should play with dolls and dress-up outfits. The lyrics describe the struggles of a boy who prefers to play with a Barbie doll, as it is not accepted by his peers and teachers. Despite the teasing and concern, he stays true to himself and admits to having a crush on every girl he sees.
The song challenges the idea of conforming to gender norms and encourages individuals to play with whatever toys make them happy, regardless of societal expectations. Lee sings, "Boys with their barbies and girls with toy armies, we don't have to play by their rules." He suggests that playing with non-traditional toys shouldn't be looked down upon and that children should be allowed to explore their interests freely.
Overall, "Boy With A Barbie" is an uplifting and empowering song that promotes individuality and self-expression. It reminds listeners that it's okay to be different and that breaking out of gender stereotypes can lead to discovering one's true self.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a boy with a barbie when they teased me it was hard
As a boy who loved playing with a Barbie doll, I was often teased and bullied by others, which was emotionally difficult to deal with.
Just a boy with a barbie from the start
Even as a young child, I was drawn to playing with dolls typically associated with girls, and this is an inherent part of who I am.
Don't think it meant to break my heart
The teasing and bullying I experienced may not have been intentionally hurtful, but it still had a significant impact on my emotional wellbeing.
I was a boy with a barbie this is beautiful and true
Despite societal expectations and gender norms that dictate what boys and girls should play with, I found joy and beauty in playing with a doll that made me happy.
I had a crush on every girl I saw they never knew
Despite feeling different from other boys, I still had a normal attraction to girls, but was never able to express my feelings or be truly understood by others.
I've never told a single soul but you
Until now, I have kept my true feelings and experiences of playing with dolls to myself, but I am now able to share them openly.
Boys with their barbies and girls with toy armies
Society's gendered expectations of how boys and girls should play with toys can be limiting and harmful.
We don't have to play by their rules
As individuals, we can challenge and change societal norms that constrain our self-expression and prevent us from being our authentic selves.
I don't know where it started, all these roles and make believe
The origins of societal gender norms and expectations are unclear, and the requirement for children to conform to them through play is based on arbitrary cultural conventions that serve to limit creativity.
Just a boy with a totem make believe
As a young child, I used dolls and toys as part of my imaginative play, but these objects held important emotional significance for me that went beyond mere entertainment.
Now it seems naive, I kept my heart upon my sleeve
Looking back, my youthful innocence and openness with my feelings may have been perceived as simple or naive, but I am proud of my ability to be vulnerable and authentic.
I was a boy with a barbie and the teachers looked concerned
Even adults who were supposed to guide and support me often reinforced gender stereotypes and expressed concern that my toy preferences were somehow problematic or abnormal.
Although they tried to stop me getting burned
Perhaps with good intentions, the adults in my life wanted to shield me from ridicule and social ostracism, but this often involved suppressing my true self.
I guess they didn't realize it would hurt
The teachers and adults in my life may not have fully comprehended the extent to which their attitudes and actions caused me pain and shame.
Boys being prudes while the girls make thier moves
Societal gender norms that police boys' behavior often result in them being unable to express their true selves and form healthy relationships, while girls are encouraged to be assertive.
So let them wear that dress, let them make that mess
Individual self-expression and freedom are required for people to live fulfilled lives, and we should not judge or constrain others based on arbitrary cultural norms.
Let 'em take that fall, let 'em kick that ball
Achieving true fulfillment in life is not about preventing people from taking risks or playing in ways that might be atypical, but rather about supporting them and fostering their individuality.
And thanks to the ones that tried to stop my fun
While society often works to constrain and limit individual self-expression, I have come to appreciate and thank those who may have tried to prevent me from pursuing my passions and true self because it ultimately strengthened my resolve.
You made me what I am, you made me what I am
The experiences and obstacles I faced growing up as a boy who enjoyed playing with a Barbie doll ultimately molded and shaped my identity, and I am proud of the person I have become.
You made me a man
Contrary to societal expectations, it was the freedom to be myself and express my individuality that allowed me to become the person I am today, and that is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit.
Boys staying home while their girls on the run
Societal expectations of gender and reflected in attitudes towards play, can lead boys to become isolated and unfulfilled, while girls are encouraged to be independent, exploring the world beyond the confines of their homes.
Play by their rules
The obligation to conform to societal norms and expectations can be stifling and toxic, limiting individual freedom of expression and making true self-discovery difficult.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BENJAMIN MICHAEL LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind