What's That Song in the Kohl's Commercial?

'We're All in This Together,' by Ben Lee

Pretty girls in flowing dresses, along with beaches, butterflies and kites: No, it's not puppy heaven. It's Kohl's latest commercial boasting its line of spring clothing. Wind-blown images of printed dresses and men's suiting dance along the screen as Ben Lee's breezy tune swoops in to assure us that these well-dressed folks, whether chillin' in the field or makin' it in the big city, are 'All in This Together' -- a funny message when one considers the stunningly stylish condition in which these people find themselves. But we'll move on.

One unfamiliar with the musical stylings of Lee before the Kohl's commercial might mistake him for a perpetually sunny pop artist. But it hasn't always been this way. His previous releases have been known to experiment with electro beats and drum machines, and he has lamented on love in more than a few songs. 'Together' was a late single off his fifth album, 2005's 'Awake Is the New Sleep' -- an album that marked a mood shift for the 27-year-old Australian. Perhaps it had something to do with the end of his five-year relationship with actress Claire Danes (she was pretty gloomy in 'My So Called Life'). Or perhaps it had something to do with wooing Ione Skye -- yep, the brainy chick from 'Say Anything' (and daughter of '60s folk rocker Donovan) -- who he is now engaged to marry. "Find your place," the advertisement suggests, "in the rhythm of life." For whatever reason, it seems like Lee has. Firmly planted in the light and lovely.

Last year, with the release of 'Ripe,' Lee refined his positive pop but firmly held on to his penchant for lyrical puzzles. We at Spinner have even had our fun with Lee's less-than-lucid meanderings. Verbosity aside, there's something relentlessly endearing about him and undeniably infectious about his music. And we're not the only ones who think so. Lee's roster of fans is an impressive list that spans actors like Jason Schwartzman and myriad cred-heavy musicians including Jellyfish's Jason Falkner, Mandy Moore, Good Charlotte's Benji Madden, members of Rooney and Sara Watkins from Nickel Creek, all of whom contributed vocals to 'Ripe.' Lee also recently told Spinner about his new project, 'A Mixtape From Ben Lee,' which will feature vocals by Aussie pop sensation Kylie Minogue, E from Eels and She & Him singer-actress Zooey Deschanel.

With his big-name collabos and retail outlets like Kohl's taking notice, it's safe to say that Lee is sticking around. But the Kohl's ad isn't the first time his music has made its way to the screen. Most recently, you would have heard his uber-hooky 'Catch My Disease' (also off 2005's 'Awake') in the Ryan Reynolds comedy 'Just Friends,' and both Dell computers and 'Grey's Anatomy' have enlisted Lee's help in creating sonic backdrops. And that makes sense. "I often think about songs in terms of cinematic moments," he told Spinner. And while he's happy with this particular outcome due to the commercial's "themes of unity and individuality," the most important thing to keep in mind, he maintains, is to "never look a gift horse in the mouth."

Listen to the song!

Buy it on iTunes
Ben Lee Talks Laurel Canyon on the DL
Ben Lee Plays Songs from 'Ripe' on the Interface
What 's the One Song Ben Lee Freakin' Loves? Find Out.