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!.
Get Gotten
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What'll it be?
I asked my friends, and they all agreed
You're exactly the kind of trouble that I need
I got songs to give
I got songs to prove
Songs I use when I want to' seduce, and I want to' seduce you
Why won't you let me?
I want to' get you
So get gotten
I won't stop til' I get to the bottom
I want to' get you
So get gotten
I got big, big dreams
In a small, small world
And I'm using god to pick up girls
And I'm willing to put it all on the line
I got words that destroy
Words that build
I use words and feel no guilt about it
I got words that go bump in the night
It's no secret that I've fallen
I won't stop til' I get to the bottom
It's no secret that I've fallen
'cause first you're ripe
And then you're rotten
Don't stop 'til you get to the bottom
First you're ripe
And then rotten
Once I knew
But I've forgotten
I find out when I get to the bottom
Once I knew
But I've forgotten
I want to' get you
So get gotten
I won't stop 'til I get to the bottom
I want to' get you
So get gotten
"Get Gotten" is a song by Australian musician Ben Lee. The song is about the singer's desire to pursue a woman he is attracted to, despite the risks involved. Lee describes the woman as “exactly the kind of trouble that I need” and sees her as a challenge, which he is willing to take on. He emphasizes his willingness to take risks by saying he's got big dreams in a small world and uses god to pick up girls. The singer is self-assured and confident in his abilities, particularly his ability to seduce with his music, but he's ultimately dependent on the response of the woman he desires.
The lyrics are full of wordplay and clever metaphors that describe the singer's approach to pursuing the woman he wants. Lee describes himself as having "words that destroy/words that build" and "words that go bump in the night," suggesting that he is both capable of causing harm and capable of creating something beautiful. He's confident and unashamed about using his skills to get what he wants, saying that he feels "no guilt about it." Despite his bluster, Lee also shows vulnerability, admitting that "It’s no secret that I’ve fallen" and that he doesn't remember the lessons he learned from similar experiences in the past.
Overall, "Get Gotten" is a catchy and playful song that explores the themes of risk, desire, and the power of words. The lyrics are full of double entendres and clever turns of phrase that make the song fun to listen to and analyze.
Line by Line Meaning
Ok, baby
The singer is addressing their romantic interest.
What'll it be?
The singer is asking their romantic interest what they want from the relationship.
I asked my friends, and they all agreed
The singer consulted with their friends about pursuing this romantic interest and their friends supported them.
You're exactly the kind of trouble that I need
The artist acknowledges that their romantic interest may pose a risk or challenge, but feels drawn to that type of excitement.
I got songs to give
The artist has musical talents and is willing to use them to woo their romantic interest.
I got songs to prove
The singer's songs serve as evidence of their feelings and commitment to their romantic interest.
Songs I use when I want to' seduce, and I want to' seduce you
The singer's songs are often used to attract romantic partners and they specifically want to seduce their current interest.
Why won't you let me?
The artist feels frustrated that their romantic interest is not receptive to their advances.
I want to' get you
The artist wants a romantic relationship with their interest.
So get gotten
The artist is urging their romantic interest to reciprocate their feelings and start a relationship.
I won't stop til' I get to the bottom
The singer will continue pursuing their romantic interest until they reach a conclusion or resolution.
I got big, big dreams
The artist has ambitious aspirations.
In a small, small world
The singer feels limited by their surroundings or circumstances.
And I'm using god to pick up girls
The singer is attempting to impress romantic interests by pretending to be religious.
And I'm willing to put it all on the line
The singer is willing to take risks for the sake of love and pursuing their romantic interest.
I got words that destroy
The artist is capable of saying things that can harm others emotionally.
Words that build
The artist is also capable of saying things that can uplift and inspire others.
I use words and feel no guilt about it
The singer is unapologetic about using words to manipulate or persuade others.
I got words that go bump in the night
The singer's words may have a powerful or unsettling effect on others.
It's no secret that I've fallen
The artist is openly acknowledging their feelings for their romantic interest.
'cause first you're ripe
The artist is likening their romantic interest's appeal to that of a fruit that is ready to be eaten.
And then you're rotten
The artist is acknowledging that their romantic interest's appeal may eventually fade or diminish.
Don't stop 'til you get to the bottom
The singer is encouraging themselves (or others) to keep striving or pursuing their goals until they reach the end or achieve their desired outcome.
Once I knew
The artist remembers having a realization or understanding in the past.
But I've forgotten
The singer can no longer recall that understanding or realization.
I find out when I get to the bottom
The singer may rediscover or remember their lost understanding or realization when they reach the end of their pursuit.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BENJAMIN MICHAEL LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind