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!.
What's So Bad ?
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As you're starin' down your nose at me
Laughin' at the way that I dance
But I just keep on movin'
While you're lookin' disapprovin'
I feel sad for you, you never take a chance
So let your feet start shuffling and let your hips swing
I know your heart's as hungry as mine
You'll see that we can share a moment, a moment in time
Tell me what's so bad, about feeling good
Tell me what's so bad, about feeling good
Well it's not all analysis or mathematic pression
Oh all the simple things in life are not small
And all your daily drama and the politics of pleasure
Well they really do not matter much at all
So let your words start spilling out against your will
And let your love minlge with mine
Close your eyes, look at me, open up your heart
You'll see that we can share a moment, a moment in time
Tell me what's so bad, about feeling good
Tell me what's so bad, about feeling good
Tell me what's so bad, about feeling good
Tell me what's so bad, about feeling good
No guilt, all pleasure, c'mon I wanna hear you yell it now
No guilt, all pleasure, c'mon everybody yell it now
No guilt, all pleasure, I wanna hear you yell it baby
No guilt, all pleasure, c'mon everybody
Tell me what's so bad, about feeling good
Tell me what's so bad about feeling good
Tell me what's so bad, about feeling good
Tell me what's so bad, about feeling good
About feeling good, about feeling good
What's so bad about feeling good
Ben Lee’s song “What’s So Bad?” is an upbeat, lively tune with a message of encouragement and positivity. Ben sings to a person who is looking down on him, disapproving of his dancing, and making him feel inadequate. However, Ben implores the person to let loose and let their feet shuffle and hips sway, saying that he feels bad for them for never taking a chance. He encourages people to open their hearts and minds and let themselves feel good without guilt.
The song is a call to embrace the simple things in life and not get caught up in the drama and politics that do not matter much. The lines, “all the simple things in life are not small” reminds us that sometimes the smallest moments can be the most meaningful. The repetitive chant of “no guilt, all pleasure” sounds like Ben is leading a group of people in an uplifting chant to let go of their inhibitions and enjoy themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you're lookin' so compose
You appear polished and put together
As you're starin' down your nose at me
You're condescending towards me
Laughin' at the way that I dance
You're mocking my dancing
But I just keep on movin'
Despite your ridicule, I continue dancing
While you're lookin' disapprovin'
You disapprove of my behavior
I feel sad for you, you never take a chance
I pity you for never stepping outside your comfort zone
So let your feet start shuffling and let your hips swing
I encourage you to dance with me
I know your heart's as hungry as mine
I believe you also desire fun and connection
Close your eyes, look at me, open up your mind
I urge you to let go of your prejudices and enjoy the moment
You'll see that we can share a moment, a moment in time
Together, we can experience a fleeting moment of happiness
Tell me what's so bad, about feeling good
Why is it wrong to enjoy ourselves?
Well it's not all analysis or mathematic pression
Life is not just about logic and numbers
Oh all the simple things in life are not small
The seemingly insignificant moments can bring the most joy
And all your daily drama and the politics of pleasure
The drama and power plays don't matter in the grand scheme of things
Well they really do not matter much at all
Those things are insignificant and don't contribute to happiness
So let your words start spilling out against your will
I encourage you to speak your true feelings
And let your love minlge with mine
We can come together and connect on a deeper level
Close your eyes, look at me, open up your heart
I implore you to let go of your emotional barriers
You'll see that we can share a moment, a moment in time
Together we can experience a fleeting moment of happiness
No guilt, all pleasure, c'mon I wanna hear you yell it now
We should enjoy ourselves without feeling guilty
No guilt, all pleasure, c'mon everybody yell it now
Let's all join together in this joyful moment
What's so bad about feeling good
There's nothing wrong with enjoying ourselves
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BENJAMIN MICHAEL LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind