The Music Show Ben Lee on mistakes, longevity and the power of pop music
Jul 19, 2025
Ben Lee is an influential Australian singer-songwriter known for hits like 'Catch My Disease' and 'Cigarettes Will Kill You.' He discusses the importance of pop music as a tool for emotional expression and societal change. Katie Yap, a Classical Freedman Fellow, shares insights from her project Multitudes, blending music and poetry with unique collaborators. They explore themes of collaboration, resilience in live performance, and the potential of music as a vehicle for activism in today's polarized world.
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Shift to Philosophical Songwriting
- Ben Lee shifted from angst-driven songwriting to philosophical and personal themes with his album Awake Is The New Sleep.
- He aimed to give to listeners rather than to get from them, embedding deeper intentions in his music.
Pop Music as Trojan Horse
- Pop music embeds ideas deeply in culture by repeating catchy elements, acting like a Trojan horse.
- This process influences cultural awakenings and political views alike, proving the power of pop.
Repetition as Comfort in Music
- Ben Lee connects pop song repetition to mantras, using repeated phrases to comfort listeners.
- Repetition creates a feeling of safety, even likened to a form of self-brainwashing, making the music engaging and memorable.
