#benlee

Top 100 Best Music Videos of All-Time

29. CIGARETTES WILL KILL YOU

BEN LEE

1998

"Cigarettes Will Kill You" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Ben Lee from his third studio album, Breathing Tornados (1998). Produced by Ed Buller, the song became a breakout success for Lee. It was voted number two on the 1998 Triple J Hottest 100 and reached number 46 on the Australian Singles Chart in 1999. In 2025, the song placed 83 on the Triple J's Hottest 100 of Australian Songs.

The song was featured in the 2002 Australian comedy Crackerjack. It has also been referenced in the Axis of Awesome's song medley "Four Chord Song", a reference to the fact that the chord progression in "Cigarettes Will Kill You" is similar to that of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and Toto's "Africa".

Ben Lee interview 1997

BEN LEE

11 September 1978

            Ben Lee is an Australian music artist who has released hit albums as well as songs such as Ache for you, Get Gotten, We’re all in this together, Cigarettes will Kill You, Chills, Shirtless, Something Borrowed Something New, and Love Me Like the World is Ending. He also starred in the lead role of one of my favourite Australian movies, The Rage in Placid Lake (2003).

            Lee was born in Sydney, Australia and grew up in the eastern suburbs. He began his career aged 14 in the band Noise Addict and began a solo career in 1995. His worked gained attention from successful music artists such as Sonic Youth and the Beastie Boys. He has covered the Duran Duran song, The Reflex with Kylie Minogue for a Duran Duran dedication album.

            Lee was in a relationship with Romeo + Juliet actress Claire Danes and later married Rivers Edge actress Ione Skye in 2008 and they have one child.

            Ben Lee was well-known during the late 1990s for his public feud with Powderfinger lead singer Bernard Fanning. Lee released his Breathing Tornadoes LP in 1999 and labelled Tornadoes as ‘the greatest Australian album ever’ as a joke, he had backlash from The Ataris and Klinger. Fanning was the most critical by calling Lee, ‘a precocious little c***’ during an interview. Fanning was full of regrets and rang Lee and ‘Let’s put it behind us’. During the ARIA Awards Lee approached Fanning and gave him a big kiss.

            Lee is known for his cool personality, wittiness and humor; he has grown a huge following overseas including America. He continues to release successful albums to this day. You can follow him on Instagram, and he has great advice for upcoming music artists. Lee is a success story. Looking forward to hearing more of his music in the future.

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Benlee