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!.
Catch My Disease
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that's the way I like it
My garden's a secret compartment
And that's the way I like it
And that's the way I like it
Your body's a dream that turns violent
And that's the way I like it
And that's the way I like it
And that's the way I like it
So please
Baby please
Open your heart
Catch my disease
I was backstage in Pomona
And that's the way I like it
She drank beer with Coca-Cola
And that's the way I like it
And that's the way I like it
She told me about the winds from Santa Anna
And that's the way I like it
And that's the way I like it
She told me she loved me like fireworks
And that's the way I like it
So please
Baby please
Open your eyes
Catch my disease
So please (PLEASE!)
Baby please
Come on
Catch my disease
Catch it
They play good Charlotte on the radio
And that's the way I like it
They play sleepy Jackson on the radio
And that's the way I like it
And that's the way I like it
I hear Beyonce on the radio
And that's the way I like it
'Cause that's the way I like it
They don't play me on the radio
But that's the way I like it
So please
Baby please
Open your heart
And catch my disease
So please
Baby please
Come on
Catch my disease
(Catch my disease) nananana nananah
(Catch my disease) nananana nananah
(Catch my disease) nananana nananah
(Catch my disease) nananana nananah
Ben Lee's "Catch My Disease" is a song about the singer's quirky and unconventional personality. In the first verse, he describes his mind as a "box full of nothing," seemingly void of any specific thoughts or feelings. He also shares that his garden is a "secret compartment," suggesting that he keeps his emotions and desires hidden from the rest of the world. Despite this, the singer seems content with his way of life, repeating, "and that's the way I like it."
In the chorus, the singer pleads with someone to "catch his disease," likely referring to his offbeat and unconventional approach to life. He wants someone to join him in his way of thinking and living, even if it means embracing the strange and unexpected.
The second verse tells a story of the singer meeting someone backstage at a concert in Pomona. He describes the woman as someone who enjoys beer with Coca-Cola and speaks of the winds from Santa Anna. The woman also admits to loving the singer "like fireworks." The singer seems to connect with this woman, sharing that this is also "the way I like it." The song ends with the singer lamenting that his music isn't played on the radio but remaining content with his eccentricities nonetheless.
Overall, the song is an ode to being different and not conforming to societal norms. The singer embraces his peculiarities and encourages others to do the same.
Line by Line Meaning
My head is a box full of nothing
I like to keep my mind free of thoughts and worries.
And that's the way I like it
I prefer it this way; it brings me peace and comfort.
My garden's a secret compartment
My private space is sacred and hidden from the rest of the world.
Your body's a dream that turns violent
The attraction I feel towards you is so strong that it feels like a physical and emotional overload.
The winter is long in the city
The cold weather and darkness of the city can be depressing and isolating.
So please
I implore you,
Baby please
My dear, please
Open your heart
Let me in and show me your true feelings.
Catch my disease
Be infected by my love and passion.
I was backstage in Pomona
I found myself behind the scenes in Pomona.
She drank beer with Coca-Cola
She mixed the two drinks together.
She told me about the winds from Santa Anna
She shared with me her knowledge of the strong winds in the area.
She told me she loved me like fireworks
She expressed her intense love for me that explodes like fireworks.
Come on
I urge you,
They play good Charlotte on the radio
The radio station often plays music by the band Good Charlotte.
They play sleepy Jackson on the radio
The radio station also plays music by the band Sleepy Jackson.
I hear Beyonce on the radio
I listen to the music of Beyonce on the radio.
They don't play me on the radio
My music is not popular enough to be played on the radio.
(Catch my disease) nananana nananah
Be enamored by my love and let it consume you in a fun, catchy way.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BENJAMIN MICHAEL LEE, MCGOWAN MARKEY SOUTHWORTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Sourcoolness
One of the best Christmas songs that isn't actually a Christmas song.
@YourManAlexSmith
Canβt believe this song came out 10 months ago. Time really feels different when you get to my age
@doctorbohr1585
It came out 15 years ago??
@YourManAlexSmith
@@doctorbohr1585 I dare say youβve missed my joke
@doctorbohr1585
@@YourManAlexSmith I'm afraid so π
@sicariusperemo3789
π
@sicariusperemo3789
@@doctorbohr1585 Don't worry about it πAt least there wasn't a bunch of dickheads giving you hell for that comment...
@andrewwhitbread9362
We're ALL in This Together! ! !
@tashmcnair6594
I remember downloading and listening to this on my purple iPod nano, on repeat, it was my favourite song. But being a kid, I didn't know anything about it; the song, the lyrics, the name of the song itself, or the artist. All I could remember was the video, like a cruel fever dream. One day, a few years ago, my brother mentioned remembering this song, and we eventually found it again. It was like being met with an old friend. I love this song so much, it brings back such a comforting nostalgia of my childhood.
@shannonharvie5089
Watching the Netflix movie Slumberland - recognised Ben Lee straight away!