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!.
Shirtless
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's where I keep my heart
And that's mostly its difference
From any other part
And you wonder why I hide it like I do
And you wonder why I treat it like I do
Sure I want a suntan
Even though it'll hurt
But I can't take the vulnerability
When I take off my shirt
And it's not cause something someday you once took
And it's really not to do with how I look
I'm just so scared you'll see the true me
Or worse maybe right through me
If I would walk around without a shirt
If I go half naked
You'll see my heart is vacant
You'll take my heart if I take off my shirt
If I take off my shirt
I know that they all do it on 90210
But I'm not secure and handsome
And you're not a bimbo
And I can't believe you think that I'm a freak
Just cause I won't swim with you at the beach
I'm just so scared you'll see the true me
Or worse maybe right through me
If I would walk around without a shirt
If I go half naked
You'll see my heart is vacant
You'll take my heart if I take off my shirt
If I take off my
If I take off my
If I take off my shirt
I guess that I don't trust you
I think that you'll attack
You'll suck the life out of me
Like a vampire bat
See the way I work out what to do
See the way I shift the blame to you
I'm just so scared you'll see the true me
Or worse maybe right through me
If I would walk around without a shirt
If I go half naked
You'll see my heart is vacant
You'll take my heart if I take off my shirt
If I take off my
If I take off my
If I take off my shirt
In the song "Shirtless," Ben Lee sings about his fear of being vulnerable and exposing his true self to others. He refers to his body as the place where he keeps his heart, highlighting the connection between his physical self and emotional well-being. Despite wanting a suntan, he cannot bring himself to take off his shirt and expose his bare chest, as it would leave him too exposed and afraid that others may see through him.
Throughout the song, he expresses his fear of being judged or rejected by others, particularly by someone he cares about. He mentions his lack of trust towards this person, believing that they will attack or drain him like a vampire bat. It's as if he is protecting his heart by hiding it away underneath his shirt, and the idea of taking it off feels like he is completely exposed and vulnerable.
The lyrics of "Shirtless" highlight the fear and insecurity that can come with being emotionally vulnerable with others. Ben Lee touches on themes of trust and self-worth, as well as the difficulties of opening oneself up to others.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not just my body
My body is more than just a physical vessel.
It's where I keep my heart
My body is where I keep my emotions and vulnerabilities.
And that's mostly its difference
The unique aspect of my body is its ability to hold my heart.
From any other part
This makes it different from any other part of my body.
And you wonder why I hide it like I do
You question why I cover it up and keep it hidden.
And you wonder why I treat it like I do
You're curious why I treat my body with such care and caution.
Sure I want a suntan
I desire a nice golden tan.
Even though it'll hurt
I am willing to endure the pain that comes with it.
But I can't take the vulnerability
However, I cannot bear to expose myself to vulnerability.
When I take off my shirt
The act of removing my shirt reveals too much of myself.
And it's not cause something someday you once took
It's not due to a past experience where someone took something from me.
And it's really not to do with how I look
It's not related to my physical appearance.
I'm just so scared you'll see the true me
I'm afraid that if you see more of me, you'll see the person I truly am.
Or worse maybe right through me
I am scared you'll see right through my facade and discover my vulnerabilities.
If I would walk around without a shirt
If I were to remove my shirt and reveal more of myself.
If I go half naked
If I am partially unclothed.
You'll see my heart is vacant
You will see that I am emotionally empty and unable to connect with others.
You'll take my heart if I take off my shirt
If I expose myself, you will use it against me and take advantage of my emotions.
I know that they all do it on 90210
I am aware that others on TV show off their bodies.
But I'm not secure and handsome
However, I do not feel secure in my own skin and do not consider myself attractive.
And you're not a bimbo
I know you are not an unintelligent or shallow person.
And I can't believe you think that I'm a freak
I am surprised you do not understand how I feel.
Just cause I won't swim with you at the beach
Just because I refuse to participate in certain activities with you.
I guess that I don't trust you
Ultimately, I do not trust you enough to reveal myself to you.
I think that you'll attack
I believe that if I reveal myself, you will use it against me in some way.
You'll suck the life out of me
You will take advantage of my vulnerabilities and drain me emotionally.
Like a vampire bat
Similar to how a vampire sucks blood from a victim.
See the way I work out what to do
Notice how I try to figure out what to do in this situation.
See the way I shift the blame to you
Observe how I try to avoid responsibility by blaming you.
If I would walk around without a shirt
If I were to expose myself to vulnerability.
If I go half naked
If I am partially unclothed.
You'll see my heart is vacant
You will see that I am emotionally empty and unable to connect with others.
You'll take my heart if I take off my shirt
If I expose myself, you will use it against me and take advantage of my emotions.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BENJAMIN MICHAEL LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sweetr333
lol this was actually very well done and props to phil for having a sense of humour about it all
@wizardofthewoods
OMG you have done it again. Laughed till I cried. You are the best Ben. Glad I found you. :D
@robertbanadera
What a great guy - PHIL HEATH !! It's great to see him doing funny stuff !! And the handsome white guy is a perfect set-off for the comedy routine !! Thanks PHIL HEATH and partner for the laughs !!!
@Lerfable
soo good! laughed my ass off! phil is really chill !
@conalm51
phil laughing was the best part
@ikkitosen1981
What a sport im starting to like phil more and more.
@JesperBylund
Phil is so awesome!
@skeetv123
This reminds me of that scene from Pumping Iron when Arnold was Mr. Olympia and was trying to show that skinny guy what bodybuiding is about & help him train for jokes lol
@Hindusht
Phil's laugh haha
@RedSharkEnergy
much respect! wow, so big both of them, he is showing himself but he is third of phil ...