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!.
So Hungry
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And can't you tell, feel it in every cell
Our eyes they meet, I won't accept defeat
I feel brand new, can't keep my hands off you
And we get so hungry, we eat each other alive
We get so hungry, only the strong survive
We get so hungry, cannot get you off my mind
If hearts could speak, some things I can't repeat
?Cause you were sent to steal my innocence
It?s all so much, your love, your words, your touch
Your glare, your scent makes me believe again
And we get so hungry, we eat each other alive
We get so hungry, only the strong survive
We get so hungry, cannot get you off my mind
We get so hungry, hungry, yeah
We sleep, we dream, discuss the things we've seen
We take, we give, this is the way we live
And we get so hungry, we eat each other alive
We get so hungry, only the strong survive
We get so hungry, cannot get you off my mind
We get so hungry, hungry, yeah
(We get so hungry)
So hungry
(We get so hungry)
So hungry, yeah
(We get so hungry)
So hungry, yeah
(We get so hungry)
So hungry
The lyrics of Ben Lee's "So Hungry" depicts a strong desire to be with someone, even to the point of obsession. Lee's tone in the song highlights the intensity of his feelings, both physically and emotionally towards this person. The lyrics "It's strange, it's mad to want someone so bad" describes the unusual nature of this infatuation. The repetition of "we get so hungry" emphasizes that the attraction is mutual and almost insatiable, and the phrase "we eat each other alive" suggests that their desire is consuming them.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the subject of Lee's desire represents a new beginning for him. The lines "Our eyes they meet, I won't accept defeat" and "I feel brand new, can't keep my hands off you" show that the attraction has brought a sense of vitality, and the refrain of "cannot get you off my mind" suggests that the infatuation is still growing.
The song's bridge shifts to a more subdued tone, where Lee hints that this connection may not be entirely a good thing. The lyrics "If hearts could speak, some things I can't repeat / 'Cause you were sent to steal my innocence" reveals a hint of fear or reservation towards the strength of his feelings. Yet, this fear is also juxtaposed against the overwhelming attraction he experiences with the person he desires.
Overall, "So Hungry" is a song about the rush of a new attraction and the excitement and fear that comes with it. The lyrics' tone highlights Lee's struggle with the intensity of his feelings and the fear that he is too quickly losing control.
Line by Line Meaning
It’s strange, it’s mad to want someone so bad
Wanting someone so intensely feels irrational and unusual.
And can't you tell, feel it in every cell
The attraction is intense and all-consuming.
Our eyes they meet, I won't accept defeat
I am determined to pursue this person.
I feel brand new, can't keep my hands off you
Being with this person is exciting and energizing.
If hearts could speak, some things I can't repeat
My feelings for you are too intense for words.
'Cause you were sent to steal my innocence
I feel vulnerable around you, like you have the power to change me.
It’s all so much, your love, your words, your touch
All the ways you express your love for me are overwhelming.
Your glare, your scent makes me believe again
Your presence is rekindling my hope and faith in love again.
And we get so hungry, we eat each other alive
Our desire for each other is so intense that it feels like we're consuming each other.
We get so hungry, only the strong survive
This intense connection is not for the faint of heart; it takes strength to survive it.
We get so hungry, cannot get you off my mind
Thoughts of you consume my every waking moment.
We sleep, we dream, discuss the things we've seen
We spend all our time together, sharing our experiences and thoughts.
We take, we give, this is the way we live
Our relationship is built on give and take, with each of us contributing to make it work.
So hungry
Our intense desire for each other is all-consuming.
So hungry, yeah
We are both equally consumed with desire for each other.
So hungry, yeah
Our need for each other is inexplicable and intense.
So hungry
We are both driven by a primal need to satisfy our desire for each other.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BEN LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FKK71
Another great video and great memory of that night!
@riasb
I just said 'I am hungry' and typed in the search box "I am hungry" and clicked on the first option and this videos came up xD nice song by the way!
@fededx
Nice song :) Love how they sound together
@neader333
I was surprised at the sound quality, excellent work!
@freyja2001
yes!