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!.
Stop!
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stop, take some time to think, figure out what's important to you
Stop, take some time to think, figure out what's important to you
You've got to make a serious decision
It could be me up there in stage lights
It could be me on the TV in your living room
It could be me jet setting with my band all across the world
Stop, take some time to think, figure out what's important to you
Stop, take some time to think, figure out what's important to you
Stop, take some time to think, figure out what's important to you
You've got to make a serious decision
There I am giving candid disclosure to press in interview
There I go on my way through the crowd up to the podium
On behalf of our fans, we'd like to accept this award
Smile for the camera, boys, gold record in hand
Stop, take some time to think, figure out what's important to you
Stop, take some time to think, figure out what's important to you
Stop, take some time to think, figure out what's important to you
You've got to make a serious decision
All of our lives in waiting
All of our lives traded for their roses and applause
All of our lives dedicated to shoving it right back in their fucking face
Stop, take some time to think, figure out what's important to you
Stop, take some time to think, figure out what's important to you
Stop, take some time to think, figure out what's important to you
You've got to make a serious decision
Stop, take some time to think
Ben Lee's song, "Stop!", is a call to action for listeners to take a moment to reflect on what matters most to them. He repeats the phrase, "Stop, take some time to think, figure out what's important to you," to emphasize the urgency of this message. The verses describe the potential fame and success that could come with being a musician, such as appearing on stage, TV, and traveling the world. However, even with these opportunities, Lee encourages listeners to pause and consider their priorities before making any big decisions.
Towards the end of the song, Lee expresses a sense of frustration with the music industry and the idea of sacrificing one's life for fame and recognition. He sings, "All of our lives in waiting / All of our lives traded for their roses and applause / All of our lives dedicated to shoving it right back in their fucking face." This implies that the pursuit of success and acceptance may not be worth compromising one's own values and personal goals.
Overall, "Stop!" serves as a reminder to listeners to consider what truly matters to them and to make choices that align with their values, rather than blindly chasing external recognition and validation.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop, take some time to think, figure out what's important to you
Pause and consider what truly matters to you
You've got to make a serious decision
A crucial choice must be made
It could be me up there in stage lights
I (the artist) could be the one in the spotlight
Appearing live in concert one night only, tickets sold out
The excitement and demand for the artist's performance
There I am giving candid disclosure to press in interview
The artist sharing intimate information with the media
On behalf of our fans, we'd like to accept this award
Accepting recognition on behalf of the artist's supporters
All of our lives in waiting
The anticipation and sacrifice that comes with pursuing fame
All of our lives traded for their roses and applause
The artist exchanging their time and energy for the approval and admiration of others
All of our lives dedicated to shoving it right back in their f***ing face
The drive to prove doubters and naysayers wrong and succeed despite their negativity
Contributed by Grayson W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.