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!.
Ten Feet Tall
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm higher than a kite
I sidle up beside
Awake for five days and five nights
I've got a glow today
For everyone I know
It hurts to watch me glow
I hit the ground and I'm downtown
The street's alive there's people 'round
Wonder how I did it all before
You know, I've walked away from more
I'm ten feet tall today
And no one can explain
And no one can obtain
And I will buckle under strain
I hit the ground and I'm downtown
The street's alive there's people 'round
Wonderin' how I did it all before
You know, I've walked away from more than this
I've walked away from more than this
Away from more
I'm ten feet tall today
I'm higher than a kite
The song "Ten Feet Tall" by Ben Lee is about feeling invincible and unstoppable, as if the world is at your feet. The opening lyrics set the tone for the song as Ben sings, "I'm ten feet tall today, I'm higher than a kite." This implies that he is feeling euphoric and on top of the world. He then goes on to mention that he has been awake for five days and five nights, which might suggest that he is under the influence of some sort of medication or drugs.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I'm ten feet tall today" as Ben reflects on his newfound sense of power and confidence. He sings, "And no one can explain, and no one can obtain, and I will buckle under strain." This suggests that he is aware that this feeling is temporary and that he will eventually come back down to earth. However, for the moment, he is unstoppable and unbeatable.
The second verse of the song talks about Ben being in the city, surrounded by people, and feeling like he has accomplished everything that he set his mind to. He says, "Wonder how I did it all before, you know I've walked away from more." This implies that he has gone through difficult times in the past but has managed to overcome them and rise to where he is now. Overall, the song is a celebration of personal power and triumph.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm ten feet tall today
Feeling as if on top of the world, undefeatable, and powerful.
I'm higher than a kite
The sense of elation and euphoria resembles that of a kite soaring high in the sky.
I sidle up beside
Approaching something or someone in a sneaky, subtle way.
Awake for five days and five nights
Being awake for an extended amount of time, feeling alert and energized, but also tired and not wanting to fall asleep.
I've got a glow today
Radiating an aura that attracts others towards oneself.
For everyone I know
Everyone around can see it and feel it, attracted by this external glow.
It hurts to watch me glow
The person emitting the glow is so powerful that it's overwhelming for people to witness.
I'm blind so watch me grow
Confidently progressing, even if one has to temporarily ignore or disregard the potential pitfalls.
I hit the ground and I'm downtown
Landing triumphantly, feeling accomplished and successful.
The street's alive there's people 'round
Being surrounded by people and energy is invigorating and inspiring.
Wonder how I did it all before
Reflecting on past accomplishments and wondering how one was ever capable of it.
You know, I've walked away from more
The person is not defined by past successes, but instead strives for even more in the present and future.
And no one can explain
The state of empowerment and confidence the person is feeling is difficult to put into words.
And no one can obtain
This feeling of empowerment is unique and cannot be replicated by anyone else.
And I will buckle under strain
Even with all this confidence and power, the person is still susceptible to breaking under pressure.
I've walked away from more than this
The person has overcome obstacles and challenges greater than the current one they are facing.
Away from more
The person has transcended past challenges and moved beyond them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BENJAMIN MICHAEL LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind