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!.
Indian Myna
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remembered being left alone
She rushed ahead and I followed behind her
When all I wanted was to go back home
That's why that storm that's ragging
It might ask nice but sometimes it takes you by force.
I still don't know, if I should intervene.
Build a nest for an Indian Myna
In a box with some holes to breath
On a door step on a apartment
If you kept me, I would never leave
It's not a problem I've considered
From getting lost, trying to make out the source
I still don't know, if I should intervene.
Or let nature, take it's course.
Come on, I'll take you under violence
Got to decide if any trace of remorse
I still don't know, if I should intervene.
Or let nature...
In Ben Lee's song "Indian Myna," he describes learning to fly like a bird, specifically an Indian Myna. However, despite the freedom that comes with flight, the singer experiences feelings of loneliness and homesickness. The storm that rages represents the harsh realities of life, which can sometimes take us by force. The singer struggles with the decision of whether to intervene or let nature take its course, representing the often-difficult choices we face in life.
The mention of building a nest for an Indian Myna in a box with holes to breathe represents the singer's desire to nurture and care for something, reflecting on the importance of compassion and empathy. The line "If you kept me, I would never leave" is a metaphor for the longing for stability and security in life, something we all strive for.
Overall, "Indian Myna" is a song about the human experience and the complex emotions that come with it. Ben Lee's lyrics are insightful and thought-provoking, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own lives and the choices they make.
Line by Line Meaning
I learnt to fly like an Indian Myna
I learned to adapt and survive like the Indian Myna bird species.
I remembered being left alone
I recalled a time when I felt abandoned by someone.
She rushed ahead and I followed behind her
I followed someone impulsively without thinking of the consequences.
When all I wanted was to go back home
I yearned for a return to a familiar and comfortable environment.
That's why that storm that's ragging
The current turbulent situation is a result of my past actions.
It might ask nice but sometimes it takes you by force.
A situation may seem harmless, but it can become overwhelming and challenging.
Build a nest for an Indian Myna
Create a comfortable space for oneself like the Myna bird creates a nest.
In a box with some holes to breath
Ensure that the space has enough ventilation to sustain life.
On a door step on a apartment
It's possible to find comfort in an unlikely place, such as an apartment doorstep.
If you kept me, I would never leave
If I had a sense of security, I would stay contently in that place.
It's not a problem I've considered
I haven't thought about this issue before.
From getting lost, trying to make out the source
I am unsure about how to handle a situation or find its cause.
Come on, I'll take you under violence
I will take you through this situation by force, if necessary.
Got to decide if any trace of remorse
I must determine if there are any feelings of regret for past actions.
Or let nature, take it's course.
Decide if I should interfere or allow events to unfold naturally.
Contributed by Kayla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.