Norwegian singer/songwriter Børge Sildnes started making music under the ps… Read Full Bio ↴Norwegian singer/songwriter Børge Sildnes started making music under the pseudonym Dylan Mondegreen in 2005, developing a sound that approached his airy songs from perspectives of both indie rock lilt and '70s soft rock haziness. His debut album, While I Walk You Home, was released in September 2007. The album was well received both critically and in terms of sales, drawing comparisons to Jens Lekman, Prefab Sprout, and other indie troubadours from several eras. The record's warm reception expanded his audience and paved the way for festival appearances and even a tour of Japan. Sophomore album The World Spins On was released in 2009, followed by a self-titled third full-length in 2012.
"Flawlessly written and performed, and produced with uncommon skill and grace - it's likely one of the best singer/songwriter records of 2012, and most any year that came before." - AllMusic (4,5/5 stars)

My Favourite Songs
Dylan Mondegreen Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I could talk to you
If I had something to say
something funny and profound
that would seem to make sense
I have no such stories

So I go to my hole
And I stay at home

Take a drink for my own pleasure
till the bottle feels clean
And it's good to be alone

When I'm tired of being polite
My room is the sidewall of a dreamer's life

When the night comes,
and all I have is myself
then I look at the stars
till my eyes get sore

When your friends are gone
What is life all about
I spent too much time alone
just listening to my favourite songs

So I dream about love
That's what's keeping me awake
Show you'd love to come they said
Show you'd love to stay
but not tonight

When I'm tired of being polite
My room is the sidewall of a dreamer's life

When the night comes,
and all I have is myself
then I look at the stars
till my eyes get sore
When your friends are gone
What is life all about

I spent too much time alone
just listening to my favourite songs

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dylan Mondegreen's song My Favourite Songs narrate a person's loneliness and isolation. The singer admits that he cannot engage in conversations because he does not have any interesting stories to share. Hence, he prefers to stay alone and enjoy his own company. He mentions that his room becomes the sidewall of a dreamer's life when he gets tired of being polite. The singer looks up at the stars when he has no one else to talk to, and he often spends his time listening to his favorite songs.

The song addresses the theme of loneliness and the importance of self-discovery. The singer is willing to accept and respect his feelings of isolation, and through his solitude, he is able to introspect and discover himself. The song carries a deep emotional message through its musical arrangement, which conveys its message of loneliness, and the music acts as a subject guide to help the listener transcend the realm of isolation.

Line by Line Meaning

I could talk to you
If I had something meaningful to contribute, I would engage in conversation with you.

If I had something to say
I require a significant story or message in order to converse.

something funny and profound
An amusing or insightful anecdote that is worthy of sharing and discussing.

that would seem to make sense
My intended message would be logical and appropriate for the given context of our conversation.

I have no such stories
Unfortunately, I do not possess any suitable stories or messages to share.

So I go to my hole
In light of my lack of conversational abilities, I retreat to my personal space.

And I stay at home
I prefer to remain in the comfort of my own personal dwelling.

Take a drink for my own pleasure
I pour myself a beverage, simply for my own enjoyment and satisfaction.

till the bottle feels clean
I continue drinking until the bottle is empty.

And it's good to be alone
I find contentment and solace in being by myself.

When I'm tired of being polite
There are moments when I am exhausted from exerting social graces and niceties.

My room is the sidewall of a dreamer's life
In these moments, my bedroom transforms into a reflective, imaginative space.

When the night comes,
As the darkness of evening sets in,

and all I have is myself
With no other individuals present,

then I look at the stars
I gaze up at the celestial bodies above.

till my eyes get sore
I continue to stare until my eyes become fatigued.

When your friends are gone
When your social companions are no longer available,

What is life all about
One may question the purpose and true meaning of existence.

I spent too much time alone
Personally, I have passed a significant amount of time in solitude.

just listening to my favourite songs
This period of solo contemplation is often paired with listening to music that resonates with me on a personal level.

So I dream about love
During these introspective moments, I often allow myself to daydream about romantic love.

That's what's keeping me awake
These idyllic concepts are preventing me from being able to sleep soundly.

Show you'd love to come they said
Others have invited me to join them on certain occasions.

Show you'd love to stay
Despite these invitations, I have declined and chosen to remain alone.

but not tonight
On this specific evening, I have already settled into my state of solitude and will not be altering my plans.

Contributed by Alex V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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