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 Would Jay-Z Do?
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Refuse when I know it?s wrong
I want you to know my name
I want the hottest chick in the game
I want a big heart and I want a big car
I wanna be a self-made man
I wanna know the things
What does he do
When he's lost and confused
What would Jay-Z do?
When I'm feeling blue
What would Jay-Z do?
I wanna pay my dues
A better life I wanna choose
I wanna seize the day
Vacation in St. Tropez
I wanna grow through the pain
I wanna change the game
But it?s times like these
When life brings me to my knees
What does he do
When it?s hard to get through
What would Jay-Z do?
(What would Jay-Z do?)
I'm talking to you
What would Jay-Z do?
Oh yeah, ?cause you are you and I am not
So come on, show me what you got
You are you and I am not
So come on, show me what you got
What would Jay-Z do?
What would Jay-Z do?
What would Jay-Z do?
I'm talkin? to you
What would Jay-Z do?
The lyrics of Ben Lee's "What Would Jay-Z Do?" reveal his desire for success, fame, and fortune. He expresses his aspiration to be a self-made man and to have a big car while looking sharp and being strong. He wants to make the right decisions and refuse to do wrong, and he also wants people to know his name. He mentions wanting to understand the things that Jay-Z does and the level of success he has achieved. Ben Lee is trying to emulate the success of one of the most successful rappers in the world and is using him as a role model.
However, Ben Lee also acknowledges that life can be hard at times and bring him to his knees, which is where his curiosity about what Jay-Z would do arises. He questions how Jay-Z would handle similar situations, showing his respect for Jay-Z's character and success.
Overall, the lyrics of "What Would Jay-Z Do?" showcase Ben Lee's admiration for Jay-Z and his strive for success.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna look sharp, be strong
I desire a confident and put-together appearance.
Refuse when I know it?s wrong
I desire the willpower to resist doing wrong things.
I want you to know my name
I wish for fame and recognition.
I want the hottest chick in the game
I desire a desirable romantic partner.
I want a big heart and I want a big car
I wish for both generosity and material success.
I wanna be a self-made man
I aspire to achieve success on my own, rather than relying on others.
I wanna know the things that he understands
I want to gain the knowledge and understanding that someone like Jay-Z possesses.
What does he do when he's lost and confused?
I wonder how Jay-Z handles moments of uncertainty.
What would Jay-Z do? When I'm feeling blue
I turn to Jay-Z as a role model to guide me when I'm feeling down.
I wanna pay my dues
I aim to work hard and earn my place in society.
A better life I wanna choose
I wish to make decisions that will lead to a better quality of life.
I wanna seize the day
I desire to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
Vacation in St. Tropez
I dream of the luxurious lifestyle associated with such a destination.
I wanna grow through the pain
I aim to use difficulties as an opportunity for personal growth.
I wanna change the game
I aspire to make significant, positive changes within my industry or community.
But it?s times like these when life brings me to my knees
During difficult times, I feel overwhelmed and helpless.
What does he do? When it?s hard to get through
I wonder how Jay-Z copes with challenges when they feel insurmountable.
What would Jay-Z do? (What would Jay-Z do?) I'm talking to you
I look to Jay-Z for guidance and inspiration during times of difficulty.
Oh yeah, 'cause you are you and I am not
I acknowledge and embrace the differences between myself and Jay-Z.
So come on, show me what you got
I invite Jay-Z to demonstrate his expertise and success.
What would Jay-Z do? What would Jay-Z do?
I repeatedly seek guidance from Jay-Z as a role model.
I'm talkin' to you What would Jay-Z do?
I direct this question to Jay-Z and eagerly await his answer.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BEN LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind