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!.
Love Me Like The World Is Ending
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And all I want is you
I wear a pair of socks you left here
But I know, I know, I know
Nobody could ever fill your shoes
I can see so clearly
When your smoke gets in my eyes
And hurt me with your lies
Baby can you hear
The message I am sending?
Love me like the world is ending
This is the last day of existence
And all I want is you
And there's a certain sadness
But I know, I know, I know
The sky is what makes the ocean blue
I know, I know, I know
The sky is what makes the ocean blue
I can see so clearly
When your smoke gets in my eyes
Please me with your promises
And hurt me with your lies
Baby can you hear
The message I am sending?
Love me like the world is ending
Love me like the world is ending
And they all say to pour it has to rain
So don't complain if we get wet in the deep end
I can see so clearly
When your smoke gets in my eyes
Please me with your promises
And hurt me with your lies
Baby can you hear
The message I am sending?
Love me like the world is ending
Love me like the world is ending
Come on and
Love me like the world is ending
In Ben Lee's song Love Me Like The World Is Ending, the lyrics describe a sense of urgency and a desire to live in the present moment with the one he loves. The opening lines of the song, "This is the first day of the future, and all I want is you," suggest that the singer is looking towards the future with hope, but also recognizes that the present moment is important. The singer wears a pair of socks left behind by the person he loves, which represents a tangible reminder of their connection. He acknowledges that "nobody could ever fill your shoes," indicating that this person is unique and irreplaceable.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become increasingly urgent, as the singer pleads for the person he loves to "love me like the world is ending." This phrase implies that time is short and that they should make the most of their time together. The refrain "please me with your promises, and hurt me with your lies" suggests a desire for intensity and passion, even if it comes with a certain amount of pain. When the singer sings that "this is the last day of existence, and all I want is you," it reinforces the idea that the present moment is all that matters.
Overall, Love Me Like The World Is Ending is a song about the importance of embracing the present moment and living with intensity and passion. The lyrics suggest that time is short, but that we can find meaning and connection through our relationships with others.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the first day of the future
The beginning of something new, unknown, and exciting
And all I want is you
You are my only desire and nothing else matters
I wear a pair of socks you left here
Your presence lingers even after you are gone
But I know, I know, I know
I understand and accept the reality of the situation
Nobody could ever fill your shoes
You are unique and irreplaceable in my life
This is the last day of existence
The end of everything we know and hold dear
And there's a certain sadness
A bittersweet feeling of nostalgia for what was and what could have been
The sky is what makes the ocean blue
Everything in this world is interconnected and has a purpose
I can see so clearly
When I am with you, everything becomes crystal clear
When your smoke gets in my eyes
Your essence and presence fills the air around me
Please me with your promises
Your words hold weight and meaning in my life
And hurt me with your lies
Even the pain you cause me is better than not feeling anything at all
Baby can you hear
Are you really listening to what I am saying and feeling?
The message I am sending?
Is my love and need for you being received and understood?
Love me like the world is ending
Love me as if there were no tomorrow or second chances
And they all say to pour it has to rain
The beauty and growth comes after the hardships and struggles
So don't complain if we get wet in the deep end
Embrace the obstacles and difficulties we face as we navigate our way through life together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BEN LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kazwoz85
I don’t know if it’s Ben or his team that have suddenly discovered social media but I couldn’t be happier. My very favorite solo artist, His music is the soundtrack to my life!
@kittymervine6115
mine too. I saw him live first, opening for Aimee Mann and was so blown away (bought a CD right there at the small venue in Keene, from BEN!) He's been in my life ever since.
@tobysemler
Took me 20 years and getting sober to realise how great Ben is.
@OmNomNomNomNomTom
I know the sky is what makes the ocean blue.
Best lyric in the song ☺️
@graceconnell9685
God I love this song!
@suzannelolsenau
My favourite song of yours Ben! It's a ripper
@3941602
Great song! Vibrant video times were so hopeful. I can just imagine the day this video was shot..Never take it for granted.
@ceedub3894
Talk about song that deserves so many more likes . It will eventually earn then 👍 big love
@yountenjamtsho1641
How wonderful, If everybody in the 🌍would love like the world is endinding ❤️
@ketakool11
My favorite ❤