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!.
Yoko Ono
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a mess I've got a feeling
That only you can stop it
Cos it's over if we say so
They still don't get it
That it's not an easy job
To be the one who says yes
Will they ever believe this is only a dream
When will they scream
Yoko Ono
Break me open
Tell me which way
Do we go now
Yoko Ono
I've been hoping
To change this world
Before it's over
We're all choking on the fog and war
Help us, we adore you
Ohh, Yoko Ono
Ohh, Yoko Ono
They're still reeling
From the fact you keep stealing
Their alpha male rock star
It was mine that opened his heart
And in that moment he could fly
And his music was a jet
And you were the reason
Cos you made every (thought)
When will they realise that he only wanted to cry
When will they cry
Yoko Ono
Break me open
Tell me which way
Do we go now
Yoko Ono
I've been hoping
To change this world
Before it's over
We're all choking on the fog and war
Help us, we adore you
Ohh, Yoko Ono
Ohh, Yoko Ono
Ohh
Teach us how to cry
Teach us how to dream
Teach us how to die
Teach us how to scream
Teach us how to f*ck
Teach us how to pray
Teach us how to be
Man teach us
Yoko Ono
Break me open
Tell me which way
Do we go now
Yoko Ono
I've been hoping
To change this world
Before it's over
We're all choking on the fog and war
Sorry if we hurt you
We're reaching out for something more
Help us, we adore you
Oh, Yoko Ono
Oh, Yoko Ono
Oh, Yoko Ono
Oh, Yoko Ono
The song "Yoko Ono" by Ben Lee seems to be a tribute to Yoko Ono, the Japanese contemporary artist who is also the wife of John Lennon. The opening lines introduce a sense of urgency and despair: "We're in trouble/In a mess." However, Lee believes that Yoko Ono can stop the chaos because "it's over if we say so." The reference to "we" could be about the music industry or society in general.
The second verse seems to be referencing the backlash that Yoko Ono received after she married John Lennon and her influence on his music. In particular, the line "Their alpha male rock star/It was mine that opened his heart" could be seen as a jab at Paul McCartney, who reportedly did not approve of their relationship. The bridge and outro of the song ask Yoko Ono to teach us how to feel and experience life on a deeper level, perhaps because she has lived through so much loss and controversy but continues to create and inspire.
Overall, "Yoko Ono" is a complex and emotional song that touches on themes of acceptance, change, and hope. It seems to be a tribute to Yoko Ono and the impact that she has had on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
We're in trouble
The situation is serious and we need help.
In a mess I've got a feeling
Things are chaotic and I sense that something is wrong.
That only you can stop it
You have the power to find a resolution.
Cos it's over if we say so
Our actions can have a lasting impact on the outcome.
They still don't get it
Others fail to grasp the situation's complexity.
That it's not an easy job
It's a difficult task to undertake.
To be the one who says yes
To be the sole voice of agreement.
When the whole world only says no
When the majority thinks the opposite.
Will they ever believe this is only a dream
Is it possible they will ever accept this is nothing but an illusion?
When will they scream
When will they vocalize their emotions?
Yoko Ono
A person revered for her artistic talents and beliefs.
Break me open
Expose my innermost thoughts and feelings.
Tell me which way
Give me direction and guidance.
Do we go now
What steps should we take to move forward?
I've been hoping
I've been optimistic and looking forward to a better future.
To change this world
To make a positive difference in the world.
Before it's over
Before it's too late and irreversible consequences take over.
We're all choking on the fog and war
We are suffocating in a world full of tension and hostility.
Help us, we adore you
Please assist us, we greatly admire and appreciate you.
Teach us how to cry
Educate us on how to properly express our emotions.
Teach us how to dream
Show us how to imagine and strive for a better future.
Teach us how to die
Show us how to make peace with mortality and face death with dignity.
Teach us how to scream
Teach us how to express our rage and frustration.
Teach us how to f*ck
Teach us how to sexually express ourselves and connect with others.
Teach us how to pray
Teach us how to connect with the divine.
Teach us how to be
Teach us how to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Man teach us
We need guidance and direction from others.
Sorry if we hurt you
We apologize for any pain we may have caused you.
We're reaching out for something more
We desire something greater than what we currently have.
Oh, Yoko Ono
An expression of respect and admiration for Yoko Ono.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BENJAMIN MICHAEL LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind