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!.
Whatever It Is
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you know it, do you feel it, do you know it.
But you're waiting, why're you waiting, why're you waiting.
Just do it, whatever it is.
There are secrets, there are secrets, there are secrets.
There are places, there are places, you can go to
They might tell you, yeah they'll tell you, that you shouldn't
Just do it, whatever it is, whatever it is,
Go do it, whatever it is, whatever it is,
Just do it, whatever it is.
And you're dancing, and you're looking kinda crazy
And your arms, are making little circles
There are reasons, there are reasons, you can find out
So do it, whatever it is, whatever it is,
Just do it, whatever it is, whatever it is,
Go do it, whatever it is, whatever it is,
Whatever it is, whatever it is.
It's so quiet, it's so quiet, it's so quiet
And you're dreaming, and you're dreaming, and you're dreaming
I turn to you and say - awake is the new sleep, awake is the new sleep
So wake up. And do it, whatever it is. Just do it, whatever it is.
'cause awake is the new sleep, awake is the new sleep
So wake up
Wake up.
And do it. Whatever it is, whatever it is,
Just do it, whatever it is, whatever it is,
Go do it, whatever it is, whatever it is
Just do it, whatever it is, whatever it is.
The lyrics to Ben Lee's "Whatever It Is" speak to the idea of change and taking action. The song encourages the listener to embrace change and not wait for the "secrets" or "places" they may uncover to tell them what to do. The lyrics urge the listener to "just do it," whatever that may be. The repetition of these phrases emphasizes the importance of taking action and not being held back by fear or uncertainty.
The song also touches on the idea of being present and awake in one's life. The line "awake is the new sleep" emphasizes the importance of being present and not just going through the motions. The repetition of "wake up" at the end of the song adds to this message.
The image of dancing and making circles with one's arms adds a sense of playfulness and joy to the song. The music itself is upbeat and catchy, further emphasizing the sense of joy and freedom that comes from taking action and embracing change.
Overall, "Whatever It Is" is a song about embracing change, taking action, and being present in one's life. It encourages the listener to let go of fear and embrace the possibilities that come with change.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you changing, are you changing, are you changing.
Are you transforming yourself, are you becoming a different person, are you evolving.
Do you know it, do you feel it, do you know it.
Are you aware of your change, do you sense it, do you acknowledge it.
But you're waiting, why're you waiting, why're you waiting.
But you're delaying, why are you postponing, why are you procrastinating.
Just do it, whatever it is.
Just take action, regardless of what it is.
There are secrets, there are secrets, there are secrets.
There are things hidden away, there are things unknown, there are things undisclosed.
There are places, there are places, you can go to
There are destinations, there are environments, you can access.
They might tell you, yeah they'll tell you, that you shouldn't
They might advise you, yeah they'll recommend you, that you are not supposed to.
And you're dancing, and you're looking kinda crazy
And you're dancing, and you're appearing quite mad.
And your arms, are making little circles
And your limbs, are rotating in small spirals.
There are reasons, there are reasons, you can find out
There are explanations, there are justifications, you can discover.
So do it, whatever it is, whatever it is,
So take action, no matter what it is, no matter what it entails.
It's so quiet, it's so quiet, it's so quiet
It's extremely silent, it's really quiet, it's significantly hushed.
And you're dreaming, and you're dreaming, and you're dreaming
And you're envisioning, and you're imagining, and you're fantasizing.
I turn to you and say - awake is the new sleep, awake is the new sleep
I face you and tell you - being alert is the new slumber, being awake is the new rest.
So wake up. And do it, whatever it is. Just do it, whatever it is.
So arouse from sleep. And take action, whatever it is. Simply perform it, whatever it is.
'cause awake is the new sleep, awake is the new sleep
because being alert is the new slumber, being awake is the new rest.
So wake up
Therefore wake up.
Go do it, whatever it is, whatever it is
Proceed to do it, regardless of what it is, regardless of its nature.
Just do it, whatever it is, whatever it is.
Simply take action, without hesitation or resistance, whatever it is, whatever it requires.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BENJAMIN MICHAEL LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind