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!.
Still on the Line
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's so strong, it's just where it belongs
For all time we're living in a lie
It's so strange, it's perfect in its way
And this isn't over, but I'm getting closer
I can't shake the feeling inside
And this isn't over, but I'm getting closer
[Chorus]
I'm still on the line
I'm still on the line
It seeps in, it's underneath the skin
The world turns, but still you never learn
So hold still depression the way you feel
You're close to you're close to all that ? you
And this isn't over, but I'm getting closer
I can't shake the feeling inside
And this isn't over, but I'm getting closer
I can't shake the feeling inside
[Chorus: x2]
And this isn't over, but I'm getting closer
I can't shake the feeling inside
And this isn't over, but I'm getting closer
I can't shake the feeling inside
[Chorus]
I'm still on the line
In "Still on the Line," Ben Lee sings about the overpowering nature of depression and how it is not always a feeling that can be shaken off easily. Throughout the song, Lee describes how depression is everywhere and how it is so strong that it is a part of our lives. Despite this, Lee does not give up hope and repeatedly asserts that he is getting closer to overcoming his depression.
Lee's lyrics convey the sense that depression is not something that can be easily overcome. It is so pervasive that it has seeped into his being and become a part of him. He acknowledges that he is living in a lie that is perfect in its own way, suggesting that the facade we put on to hide our depression is so ingrained that it seems normal. Lee recognizes that he can't shake the feeling inside and that he is still on the line, suggesting that while he may be getting closer to overcoming his depression, he is not quite there yet.
Overall, "Still on the Line" is a powerful song about the struggles of depression and the resilience needed to overcome it. Lee's lyrics are raw and honest, and they capture the essence of what it is like to live with depression.
Line by Line Meaning
You cant fight, it's everywhere you hide
Resistance is futile, the force of the issue is omnipresent and pervasive
It's so strong, it's just where it belongs
The problem is entrenched and it’s almost like it's meant to be there.
For all time we're living in a lie
We are perpetuating a falsehood for as long as the issue continues.
It's so strange, it's perfect in its way
The way the problem operates is peculiar but it's so seamless that it appears to be perfect.
And this isn't over, but I'm getting closer
The issue remains unresolved, but progress is being made.
I can't shake the feeling inside
Despite progress, the emotional and mental toll of the issue can’t be ignored.
And this isn't over, but I'm getting closer
The issue remains unresolved, but progress is being made.
I'm still on the line
The artist remains tethered to the issue and its impact on his life.
It seeps in, it's underneath the skin
The issue becomes deeply ingrained within the person and affects them on a fundamental level.
The world turns, but still you never learn
Despite the passage of time, the issue continues without resolution, indicating a failure to learn from past mistakes.
So hold still depression the way you feel
The singer is addressing their depression, urging it to remain still and not escalate.
You're close to you're close to all that ? you
The issue is so pervasive that it's almost like it's a part of the person, so much so that they can’t imagine what their life would be without it.
I'm still on the line
The singer remains tethered to the issue and its impact on their life.
[Chorus: x2]
The singer is reaffirming their continued engagement with the issue and its impact on their life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BENJAMIN MICHAEL LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind