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!.
Into the Dark
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since I surrendered
You can't climb
'Til you're ready to fall
Your not a land mine
Your not a gold mine
No you're not mine at all
Can you hear me?
I sent a message out into the dark
It's a mystery
When your near me
I've gotta find my way to your heart
I learned my lesson
First impressions
More often right than wrong
It's not a slow dance
This modern romance
Feels like we've already waited to long
Don't worry baby
That how is should be
I sent a message out into the dark
I'd rather talk to you
About how it could be
I've gotta find my way to your heart
I was one of those
Breathing tornadoes
But now i live at the eye of the storm
And it's all faded
Then since the separation
Since I let your love keep me warm
You tell me baby
That you can feel me
I sent a message out into the dark
When I kiss you
That's the real me
I've gotta find my way to your heart
So tell me baby
Can you hear me
I sent a message out into the dark
It's a mystery
When your near me
I've gotta find my way to your heart [Repeat: x3]
The lyrics of "Into The Dark" by Ben Lee express a sense of vulnerability, surrender and longing for someone. The opening lines talk about feeling better ever since surrendering, and the idea that one can't climb until they are ready to fall. This could signify that the singer has given up control and is putting their trust in someone else, and as a result, they are feeling better. The lines "you're not a landmine, you're not a goldmine, no you're not mine at all" suggest that the person that the singer is surrendering to is not necessarily theirs to keep.
The chorus talks about the singer sending a message out into the dark, implying that they are hoping to connect with the person they are longing for. The line "when you're near me, I've gotta find my way to your heart" suggests that the singer is in the presence of the person they desire, but they still have not been able to reach their heart. The bridge talks about the singer's growth and maturity since their separation from the person, and how they have evolved from being like a breathing tornado to finding peace at the eye of the storm.
Overall, the lyrics of "Into The Dark" express the longing and desire for a deeper connection with someone, while also exploring personal growth and maturity.
Line by Line Meaning
Feeling better
I am improving
Since I surrendered
Since I gave up control
You can't climb
You can’t move forward
'Til you're ready to fall
Until you take a risk
Your not a land mine
You are not a dangerous situation
Your not a gold mine
You are not a valuable resource
No you're not mine at all
We are not connected in any way
So tell me baby
Please communicate with me
Can you hear me?
Are you listening to me?
I sent a message out into the dark
I tried to communicate despite not knowing the outcome
It's a mystery
It is unknown
When your near me
When we are together
I've gotta find my way to your heart
I want to establish a deeper connection with you
I learned my lesson
I received a valuable life lesson
First impressions
Initial assumptions
More often right than wrong
Often correct
It's not a slow dance
This is not a leisurely romantic pursuit
This modern romance
This current love affair
Feels like we've already waited too long
It seems like it took too much time before we got together
Don't worry baby
Please don't stress
That how is should be
This is natural
I'd rather talk to you
I prefer to have a conversation with you about possibilities
About how it could be
About how our potential relationship could be
I was one of those
I was once like those people
Breathing tornadoes
Emotionally unstable
But now I live at the eye of the storm
But now I am calm and centered
And it's all faded
All the negativity is no longer present
Then since the separation
Since we parted ways
Since I let your love keep me warm
Since I started relying on your love to provide me with warmth and comfort
You tell me baby
Please share with me
That you can feel me
That you can sense how I feel
When I kiss you
When I show my affection physically
That's the real me
That is my true self
I've gotta find my way to your heart
I am determined to establish a deeper connection with you
It's a mystery [Repeat: x3]
It is unknown
When your near me [Repeat: x3]
When we are together
I've gotta find my way to your heart [Repeat: x3]
I am determined to establish a deeper connection with you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BENJAMIN MICHAEL LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andrea Ambar
I freaking love this song.
Captain Haddock
I wish I could time travel back to 1988 and tell Tom Petty to record this song...
Daniel
what an wonderfull song. Thank You Ben Lee
taymiluver7448
The beggining really reminds me of Fountains of Wayne - Hey Julie
Various Artists
2016 still lit
Brendon Peters
Childhood memories 😍😍😍
david armstrong
Great song
YoungBricks
Great song
Adzy82
One person needs their head read...
Adzy82
2019 going hard in Australia 🇦🇺😀🔥