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!.
Close I've Come
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And opened the door to another world
Of lovers and whores, but I loved you more
And any of them, never before
Look how close I've come how close I've come (5x) I'm far away
The universe is brought back, from the break of destruction
Yeah you broke my fucking heart but I still want you
Look how close I've come how close I've come (5x) I'm far away
Look how close I've come I'm far away
One can only guess what would happen if I got all my questions answered
Then we'd know for sure who's got the quickest drawer
Who's laying dead and who's above the law
Look how close I've come how close I've come (5x) I'm far away
Look how close I've come I'm far away
The lyrics to Ben Lee's song "Close I've Come" poetically describe the singer's attempts to escape from their enemies and discovering a world of love and lust that includes the person they love more than anyone else. This creates a stark contrast between the darkness of the outside world and the light of the love that the singer feels for this person. The repetitive line "Look how close I've come, I'm far away" is a poignant reminder of how close the singer has come to achieving their goal of being with the person they love, yet they still feel far away.
The second stanza explores the singer's perspective on the universe and how it is brought back from the brink of destruction every time their loved one smiles. However, this happy image is juxtaposed with the realization that all the singer has been seeing is just smoke and mirrors. In other words, their vision of the world has been clouded by their own emotions and attachment to this one person. Despite the heartbreak that this person has caused them, the singer still longs for them.
The final stanza touches upon themes of consequences and justice. While the singer desires to have all their questions answered, they acknowledge that the truth may not bring them the justice they seek. The repetition of "Look how close I've come" throughout the song emphasizes the importance of recognizing the progress one has made, even if it feels like they are still far away from their desired outcome.
Line by Line Meaning
I slipped into a house, to escape my enemies
I sought refuge in a house to evade those who are after me.
And opened the door to another world
I discovered a whole new dimension I never knew of.
Of lovers and whores, but I loved you more
I found myself surrounded by lovers and prostitutes, but my love for you was greater than for any of them.
And any of them, never before
My love for you surpasses anything I've felt before.
Look how close I've come how close I've come (5x) I'm far away
I've been close to achieving my goals, but I remain distant from them.
The universe is brought back, from the break of destruction
The world is saved from ruin every time you smile.
But I can see things clearer all smoke in mirrors
I now see through illusions and deceptions, everything is crystal clear.
Yeah you broke my fucking heart but I still want you
You shattered my heart, but my desire for you persists.
One can only guess what would happen if I got all my questions answered
If all my doubts were cleared, the result is anyone's guess.
Then we'd know for sure who's got the quickest drawer
The revelation of all answers would decide who wins in a showdown.
Who's laying dead and who's above the law
The truth will determine who is deceased and who is exempt from punishment.
Look how close I've come how close I've come (5x) I'm far away
I'm so close to my objectives. Yet, they still seem so far away.
Look how close I've come I'm far away
I'm reminded of how narrowly I missed success, making me feel distant from it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BENJAMIN MICHAEL LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind