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!.
i wish i was him
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like I'm just jealous of his silver cloud
He looks real good he drinks diet Coke
He gets his NME's sent by air not boat
I wish I was him
He gets the women at his feet
With all his cool friends
I wish I was him
He has no enemies
I wish I was him
He's got six different flannel shirts
Airwalks not thongs
He even understands the words to Pavement songs
He's got his new guitar toys
He loves Smudge and the Beastie Boys
I wish I was him
He gets the girls at his feet
With all his cool friends
He gets his records for free
I wish I was him
He has no enemies
I wish I was him
I feel much better now I've let it all out
He's got big biceps and a masculine shout
I don't want to sound like I'm trying to be mean
But he plays guitar much faster than me
I wish I was him
He gets the girls at his feet
With all his cool friends
He gets his records for free
I wish I was him
He has no enemies
I wish I was him
I wish I was him
He gets the girls at his feet
I wish I was him
He has no enemies
With all his cool friends
He gets his records for free
I wish I was him
I wish I was him
In Ben Lee's song "I Wish I Was Him," the singer expresses his admiration and envy for another person. He sings about this person's desirable qualities, including his good looks, cool friends, and ability to attract women. The singer wishes he could be like him and have everything he has. He even notes the small things, like the fact that this person's music magazines are sent by air instead of boat, which adds to his ideal image. The singer acknowledges that it may sound stupid, but he can't help feeling jealous.
The song touches on common insecurities and feelings of inadequacy that people have in society. Many people feel that they are not good enough or lack certain qualities that they admire in others. Often, these feelings stem from the unrealistic expectations that society places on individuals, particularly in terms of looks, social status, and material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
It may sound stupid when I say it out loud
I know it might seem silly for me to say this, but...
Like I'm just jealous of his silver cloud
I feel like I'm just envious of his good luck and success.
He looks real good he drinks diet Coke
He has a great appearance and drinks a popular low-calorie soda.
He gets his NME's sent by air not boat
He receives music magazines by airplane, not by slower boat mail.
He's got six different flannel shirts
He owns multiple stylish flannel shirts.
Airwalks not thongs
He favors trendy Airwalk shoes over traditional beach sandals.
He even understands the words to Pavement songs
He is knowledgeable about and appreciates the music of Pavement.
He's got his new guitar toys
He recently acquired some new guitar equipment.
He loves Smudge and the Beastie Boys
He is a big fan of Smudge and the Beastie Boys bands.
He's got big biceps and a masculine shout
He is physically strong and has a loud, confident voice.
I don't want to sound like I'm trying to be mean
I want to express myself truthfully without seeming rude.
But he plays guitar much faster than me
He has superior guitar skills to my own, which is frustrating.
I feel much better now I've let it all out
I feel relieved and improved now that I've shared my feelings.
He gets the women at his feet
He attracts a lot of female attention and admiration.
With all his cool friends
He has a great social circle of fellow fashionable and well-liked individuals.
He gets his records for free
He receives music recordings without having to pay for them.
He has no enemies
He doesn't have any people who actively dislike him.
I wish I was him
I long to have his seemingly perfect life.
Contributed by Ian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anthony Shear
I first heard this song on a cassette tape my dad gave me. I wouldn’t be who I am today with out it. Thank you 🙏🏼
burpo
This is a true gem. Thanks for uploading.
MRyanPlunket
Holy hell I just heard this on a this American life podcast about summer camp. Great song.
Ethan
Also summer camps are my new obsession, but unfortunately I just discovered it too late since now I’m 17 plus I live in Australia, so the vibe is definitely not the same😢
Ethan
Same! I just listened to it and the part about ‘Mr Popular’ matches perfectly to this.
Jennifer D Brady
he's so little! he's already been adorable!
xAULISx
Whoa thanks for putting up this old tune! Fucking wonder kid Lee.
lauraappleyard
I remember seeing this on tv in the 90s - is it from a longer show? A documentary about the Lemonheads maybe?
Jed Bowtell
Nomad
Dopamine Overload
Fucking genius, from the beginning to now.