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!.
On & on
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without a doubt id lose everything I have.
Its clear you're really not my friend.
Last chance, something I'm trying to tell you.
on and on while you're gone,
On and on while you're gone.
so strange, now wakin up I get tired.
On and on while you're gone,
On and on while you're gone.
anywhere you have to go,
Anything you need to know,
Any risk you have to take.
Any heart you have to break.
this is your song,
If you hear me, come near me,
9 o'clock, I think I'm goin to hell.
On and on while you're gone.
8 o'clock, watch the tv.
10 o'clock, whyd you leave me.
Anywhere you have to go,
11 o'clock I'm not doin so well.
Any risk you have to take.
Any heart you have to break.
Anything you need to know,
This is your song,
if you hear me, don't fear me,
On and on while you're gone.on and on while you're gone,
The lyrics to Ben Lee's song On & On portrays the vulnerability and defenselessness of the singer without a weapon against someone who is not their friend. The first two lines of the song suggest that the singer is completely unarmed and helpless against whoever the lyrics are directed at. The singer is implying that they would be destroyed without a weapon to protect themselves. The ensuing lines state that the "friend" is not on their side, which possibly means that they feel betrayed by someone they were close to. The lines "on and on while you're gone" suggest that whenever this person is out of their life, they can be themselves and live their life how they please.
The chorus of the song is repeated throughout the song, which reiterates the idea that the singer is trying to find themselves without this person's influence. The verse continues with the idea that the singer is now awakening and getting tired. The specific times of the day mentioned, including 9 o'clock, 8 o'clock, 10 o'clock, and 11 o'clock, emphasize that the singer is experiencing various stages of time, possibly reflecting their mindset, and is feeling lost without this person. The last two lines continue the song's theme of being an open invitation for the singer to come back into their life and conquer any fears.
Line by Line Meaning
Without a gun, id be defenseless against you.
I am in danger because of you and I have no means to protect myself.
Without a doubt id lose everything I have.
I am certain that you will take everything away from me.
Its clear you're really not my friend.
It is now apparent that you are not really a friend to me.
Last chance, something I'm trying to tell you.
This is the final opportunity for me to tell you something important.
on and on while you're gone,
On and on while you're gone.
The situation continues to persist even in your absence.
someday, rise and realize I'm fine.
I hope that one day, you will see that I have moved on from this situation and I am doing okay.
so strange, now wakin up I get tired.
It is strange that even after waking up, I feel exhausted.
anywhere you have to go,
Anything you need to know,
Any risk you have to take.
Any heart you have to break.
I am prepared to let you go anywhere, learn anything, take any risk, and even break my heart.
this is your song,
If you hear me, come near me,
This song is dedicated to you and if you hear it, please come talk to me.
9 o'clock, I think I'm goin to hell.
On and on while you're gone.
At 9 pm, I feel like I am damned to hell because you are not here to help me through this tough time.
8 o'clock, watch the tv.
At 8 pm, I resort to watching TV to distract myself from the situation.
10 o'clock, whyd you leave me.
At 10 pm, I am questioning why you left me in this position.
11 o'clock I'm not doin so well.
Any risk you have to take.
Any heart you have to break.
Anything you need to know,
This is your song,
if you hear me, don't fear me,
On and on while you're gone.
By 11 pm, I am doing worse and I am willing to take any risk, endure any heartbreak, and answer any questions you may have. I want you to know that this is your song and if you hear me, don't be afraid to come back because the situation continues even in your absence.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SEOK CHOI, TOYO LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kitty Mervine
Thank you!!! I love the simple piano parts, that make if feel like a children's song also. Vermont teacher here, it used to be known as the "college crop".
Eric H
I needed a summer song. This works on so many levels. Thanks Ben!!
Phantom Limb
On repeat, thanks for the upload Ben. Hope all is well.
broken acoustic
If this had been a more simple, stripped down version done on an acoustic guitar, it sounds like it couldve come right off Something To Remember Me By
Songstats
Have you seen that this track got added to the editorial playlist 'New in Indie' on Apple Music!
krowlz
Here because of Lauren Lapkus. Love the song!
Ethan Howard
Anyone listening to Threedom and came right here just like me?
Bruce Wayne
Yes
andy castillo
I miss the helicopters. He’s was looking for someone….
popguynyc
@refry17 KP continues to be such a disappointment. I really hope he gets the help he needs to figure it all out.