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!.
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Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say his sadness was his sign
It used to happen every day or so they say
He's gonna take it all this time
And everybody feels it
And everybody knows
There are those that have the flame
Today a boy became a man
Because he prepared himself to fail
He escaped one night
Just trying to save his life
I am the hero of this tale
And everybody has seen it
And everybody knows
There are those that have the flame
And then there's those that just want to get close
Please take off your clothes
Give me your hand
Please sleep in my bed
Please understand
I'm gonna lay down the law
Because everybody feels it
And everybody knows
There are those that have the flame
And then there's those that just want to get close
Closer to god
Closer for sure
Close your eyes
And watch me become more
Become more
Become more
Watch me become more
The opening lyrics describe the story of a boy who has grown beyond the limitations of his town. The town has defined him by his sadness, and he has become iconic because of it. However, he is ready to leave this town with a new determination to take on everything. The next verse is celebratory and suggests that even though some may not have the same flame, everyone understands the value of being close to those who do.
The chorus continues along the same lines, describing the evolution of a boy into a man. He prepared himself to fail through his escape one night, which has proved to be his greatest success. The following verse is a nod to the near-universal experience of unrequited love. Someone is invited to get closer in romantic or sexual terms, but the request is balanced with a clear assertion of power. Finally, the song concludes with an exhortation to close one's eyes, watch the singer become more, and to understand that everyone grows into who they are meant to be at their own pace.
Overall, the song seems to be about the importance of growth and change as well as the art of letting go. It encourages listeners to be confident in their choices and their own timelines when it comes to self-discovery. The lyrics suggest that everyone's journey is different but valuable.
Line by Line Meaning
Today a boy outgrew his town
A young man realized he needed to leave his small town in order to grow and develop
They say his sadness was his sign
His unhappiness was an indication that he needed a change
It used to happen every day or so they say
This problem was not uncommon or unusual
He's gonna take it all this time
He is determined to take control of his life and make a significant change
And everybody feels it
Others can sense his struggle and desire for change
And everybody knows
Others are aware of the situation and support his decision
There are those that have the flame
Some people have intense passion and drive
And then there's those that just want to get close
Others may not have the same level of passion, but admire those who do and want to be near it
Today a boy became a man
Through this experience, he matured and became more capable of facing challenges
Because he prepared himself to fail
He recognized that failure was a possibility, but was willing to take the risk anyway
He escaped one night
He made a quick and decisive decision to leave
Just trying to save his life
This change was necessary for his well-being
I am the hero of this tale
He is proud of himself for taking action and making a change
Please take off your clothes
A request for vulnerability and honesty
Give me your hand
A request for partnership and support
Please sleep in my bed
An offer of comfort and intimacy
Please understand
A request for empathy and patience
I'm gonna lay down the law
He is taking control of the situation and setting boundaries
Closer to god
He feels closer to a higher power or greater purpose
Closer for sure
This change has brought him closer to his desired future
Close your eyes
A request for introspection and reflection
And watch me become more
He is confident he will continue to develop and improve
Become more
A repeated affirmation of his growth and potential
Watch me become more
Others will see and recognize his transformation
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ABNER SILVER, BENNY DAVIS, BEN LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Emper
Lyrics:
My head is a box filled with nothing
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
The winter is long in the city
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 Ana
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
And catch my disease
So please (Please)
Baby, please
Come on
And catch my disease
Catch it
Na na na na na na na
They play on the radio
And that's the way I like it
They play on the radio
And that's the way I like it
Yeah, that's the way I like it
I hear 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
Catch my disease
So please
Baby, please
Come on
And catch my disease
Catch my disease
(Na na na na na na na)
Catch my disease
(Na na na na na na na)
Catch my disease
(Na na na na na na na)
Catch my disease
(Na na na na na na na)
(Na na na na na na na)
Whoo
(Na na na na na na na)
Na na na na
(Na na na na na na na)
Himadri Shekhar
My head is a box full of nothing
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
The winter is long in the city
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
And 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)
(catch my disease)
(catch my disease)
(catch my disease)
Peyton Parabdeen
So sweet and what a beautiful voice. this is one of the most underrated songs from my childhood. I remember loving this when I was 5 or 6 years old. Does anyone else remember this from their childhood?
NeekDaFreek
Came out in 2005 but I still consider it still has that feel good 90's vibe
JoshH
+neeksthecuz
wow, you're right. everything about this song and video...it could easily be 1995
Joe Humpston
neeksthecuz can hardly believe that it’s been 15 years
Fletch40
this song is pure mid 2000s vibe in its own. A positive vibe that played against Feel Good Inc's melancholic vibe the same year it came out
Uriah Heep
It's that Fisher/Price toy 🎹 piano 🎹! It's a timeless toy people relate to.
Derek Of Rivia
90s ended in 06 if you ask me.
Peyton Parabdeen
Ahhhhhh, I remember loving this song when I was 5 or 6 years old in 2008. It did and still brings a smile to my face
John Allums
I didn't know about this song until 2013, when I had just graduated college. It was my transition summer between college and entering "the real world." During that summer, I was just binging Scrubs (I think that's where I heard this), playing MtG with my friends for the last few times, and just chillin' enjoying my last free moments before I embarked into adulthood. Reminds me of such an awesome, carefree time in my life...
J. Alexander
That intro is so great, I wish it was 3 times longer!