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!.
Gamble Everything For Love
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put it in a place you keep what you need
You can gamble everything for love if you're free
You gotta gamble everything for love
Baby are ya cold, are ya cold baby
I could wrap you up, wrap you up in my love
If you want to, you can gamble everything for love
Tell me are you feeling lost, have you crossed
In the places that you never knew to get through
Tell me are you gonna cry all night
Tell me the truth, and I'll tell you the truth
If you gamble everything for love
You gonna be alright, alright
Make a list of things you need, leave it empty
Except for number one, write "love, gamble everything"
Keep it under lock and key
If you want to, you can gamble everything for love
Love me with an open heart tell me anything
We can find a place to start to gamble everything
We can set this thing apart, 'cause we're gonna, gonna
Gamble everything for love
Tell me do you lose your way each day
Are there people you don't recognize, do they lie?
Tell me does it make you feel too real?
Tell me the truth, and I'll tell you the truth
If you gamble everything for love
You gonna be alright, alright
Oh you can go your own way
Oh you can go your own way
Oh you gotta go your own way
If you gamble everything for love
If you gamble everything for love
Gamble everything for love, gamble everything
Put it in a place you keep what you need
You can gamble everything for love if you're free
You gotta gamble everything for love
Tell me are you gettin' hurt, is it worth it?
Tell me are the people strange, do they change?
Tell me are you letting go, do you know?
I'll Tell you the truth, if you tell me the truth
If you gamble everything for love
If you gamble everything for love
If you gamble everything for love
You gonna be alright, alright
Alright
The song "Gamble Everything For Love" by Ben Lee is a powerful anthem about taking risks in the name of love. The opening lyric sets the tone for the entire song, as Lee encourages listeners to "gamble everything for love." He urges them to take everything they have, all their hopes and dreams, and put them on the line for the sake of love.
Throughout the song, Lee asks the listener a series of questions, probing deeper into their feelings and motivations. He recognizes that love can be a difficult and confusing path to navigate, and he encourages them to embrace the uncertainty and take the leap anyway.
The chorus is a simple yet powerful reminder of the message of the song: "If you gamble everything for love, you gonna be alright." Overall, the song is a call to action, a reminder that love is worth the risk and that we should be willing to take big chances in its pursuit.
Line by Line Meaning
Gamble everything for love, gamble everything
Risk everything for love, put everything on the line
Put it in a place you keep what you need
Invest in love and cherish it like a necessity
You can gamble everything for love if you're free
Only take the risk of love if you're unencumbered and open to new experiences
You gotta gamble everything for love
You must take the risk of love wholeheartedly
Baby are ya cold, are ya cold baby
Is something troubling you?
I could wrap you up, wrap you up in my love
I can provide emotional support and comfort if you let me
If you want to, you can gamble everything for love
If you're willing, you can take the risk of love
Tell me are you feeling lost, have you crossed
Do you feel adrift, have you overcome any obstacles?
In the places that you never knew to get through
In areas where you never imagined going to push through
Tell me are you gonna cry all night
Are you going to cry for a long time?
Tell me the truth, and I'll tell you the truth
Be honest with me, and I'll reciprocate
If you gamble everything for love
If you take the risk of love
You gonna be alright, alright
You'll be okay
Make a list of things you need, leave it empty
Create a list of required items, but leave it blank
Except for number one, write "love, gamble everything"
But for the top priority, write "love, take risks"
Keep it under lock and key
Keep it safe and secure
Love me with an open heart tell me anything
Love me completely and honestly, share all thoughts and feelings with me
We can find a place to start to gamble everything
We can begin to take the risk of love together
We can set this thing apart, 'cause we're gonna, gonna
We can make our relationship stand out because we're committed
Tell me do you lose your way each day
Do you feel lost each day?
Are there people you don't recognize, do they lie?
Are there people who aren't being honest with you?
Tell me does it make you feel too real?
Do you feel overwhelmed by the intensity of it all?
Oh you can go your own way
You have the freedom to choose your own path
If you gamble everything for love
If you take the risk of love
You gonna be alright, alright
You'll be okay
Tell me are you gettin' hurt, is it worth it?
Are you getting hurt, is it worth it?
Tell me are the people strange, do they change?
Are the people around you abnormal, do they change?
Tell me are you letting go, do you know?
Are you detaching yourself, are you aware?
If you gamble everything for love
If you take the risk of love
You gonna be alright, alright
You'll be okay
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BENJAMIN MICHAEL LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patricia Farran
I heard this on Blacklist. I like it. Thank you for posting. 😊❤️
Massy Magodo
Me too
Driss Ach
Sameeeeee here 😂😂😂😂 and when I've seen ur comment I laughed so hard 😅
Goyo Rubio
Me too lmao
Evy
Yupp
Lee Kasmar
I heard this song while watching The Blacklist this week. I hadn't heard it for years. Looked it up on Youtube and was pleasantly surprised to hear it's one of Ben Lee's. Beautiful melody and like his other songs, poetically strong. Time to explore more of Ben's music again. What a talented man he is.
David Hanifin
I absolutely love this song by Ben Lee.. He gets his full heart out onto his sleeve here expressing his passionate raw vulnerability in the magical way in which only Ben Lee can.
Lorie Anna
I love this song. Whenever I watch Blacklist one of the most brilliant things is how they curate music for their storylines. I saw an episode the other night when this song was played. It was the perfect song for the moment ❤️ Thanks Ben Lee and Blacklist music producers.
Roberto Casado
Me encantó esta canción al oirla en la serie The Blacklist
SEVERINA
Круто круто круто, нравится! Я год только слушала эту песню, а сегодня увидела клип - еще больше в восторге. Эта музыка выражает состояние сегодняшнего мира, но для тех, кто тонко чувствует и не любит кричать. Эстетика простоты, но при этом так красиво и волнительно - до мурашек по коже. Пойду переводить - я еще не знаю, что все это значит!)