The band began as a project between Ulf and Jo in Oslo, Norway in the winter of 2000-01. Starting out as an instrumental and sampled vocal project, they were signed for a track on a compilation by Beatservice Records in Winter 2001. On hearing the finished track, label manager Vidar Hanssen signed the unnamed band for a full album.
During early Summer 2001, Ulf and Jo recorded most of the album and Anja improvised the vocals. After their vocals, Jo layered the guitars, but it would be a year before the album would be completed and released.
In Spring 2002, the band was known as Flunk and they released their first single, a cover of New Order's Blue Monday in April. The track was well received in the UK and was included on numerous compilations in North America and Europe. Later in April, their debut album For Sleepyheads Only was released which garnered great reviews in Norway. With the success of their album, BBC invited them to do a recording session for the Radio 1 show The Blue Room in London. Shortly after Notting Hill Art's Club would become the location to their live debut. In the United States, they became signed to Guidance Recordings.
By Summer 2002, raving reviews were being returned by British electronica magazines and in July they played Norway's finest rock festival. In October For Sleepyheads Only was released in the US through Guidance Recordings. By November they played the London Jazz Festival.
Throughout 2003 their debut, For Sleepyheads Only was still being echoed across the globe in staggered releases with special editions released to Russia and Greece. Beatservice Records then went on to release Treat Me Like You Do (For Sleepyheads Only Remixed) in June. While their debut continued to make it's way around, the band wasted no time and began work on their second album for the majority of the year, which was recorded in Paris in October.
Their sophomore album, Morning Star was finished in March 2004 and saw a Norwegian release in May while the rest of the world received it in June. In 2005, Play America was released on Beatservice Records which included bonus tracks from the US version of Morning Star along with remixes.
A third effort, Personal Stereo was released in 2007, with the accompanying remix album Democracy following soon after.
Common Sense
Flunk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It slipped away on the corner of Pike and 10th
I guess it happened on purpose
'Cause lately it's been getting quite intense
Today I wandered round the bend
I took the trip with a friend shopping round for fence (?)
Had no particular purpose
You blow my mind
And I'll blow yours
I've seen the force of your pretty smile
Now baby do it one more time
Do it one more time
Do it one more time
Do it one more time
Do it one more time
Today I lost my sense of pride
Hiding out somewhere it wasn't supposed to hide
It might be gone for a while
Like music that suddenly just goes out of style
Today I lost my sense of time
It disappeared, like anything you just won't find
I guess I don't really care
I've been running behind now, year after year
You blow my mind
And I'll blow yours
I've seen the force of your pretty smile
Baby, do it one more time
Do it one more time
Do it one more time
Do it one more time
Do it one more time
Do it one more time
Do it one more time
Today I lost my common sense
It slipped away on the corner of Pike and 10th
I guess it happened on purpose
Because lately it's been getting quite intense
The lyrics of Flunk's "Common Sense" describe a feeling of being lost and disconnected from oneself and one's surroundings. The singer has lost their common sense, pride, and sense of time, all of which are a part of their identity, and they don't seem to have a clear purpose or direction in their life. They describe wandering around aimlessly with a friend, picking up the pieces, and pretending that everything makes sense. The repetition of the phrase "do it one more time" in the chorus suggests a desire to hold onto something familiar or comforting, such as a pretty smile, in the midst of feeling lost. Overall, the song is a reflection on the transient nature of identity and the search for meaning in a confusing world.
One interesting fact about Flunk's "Common Sense" is that it was released in 2009 as a single from their album "This is What You Get," which also features a cover of New Order's "Blue Monday." The band has been active since 2001 and is known for its unique blend of electronic and acoustic music. Another fact is that the song was featured in the Swedish film "Gone" in 2011. Additionally, the song's music video features a man and a woman wandering through various natural and urban landscapes, further emphasizing the theme of being lost.
Other interesting facts about "Common Sense" include that it has been covered by several artists, including the Spanish band Coffee & Wine and the British band Grasshopper, and that it has been remixed by electronic artists such as Dom Kane and Manhattan. The song's lyrics have also been analyzed by fans and critics for their existential themes and use of imagery. The chords for the song are not available, but the song is generally composed of electronic beats, guitar riffs, and atmospheric vocals.
Line by Line Meaning
Today I lost my common sense
I am feeling disoriented and unable to make logical decisions.
It slipped away on the corner of Pike and 10th
I am unsure how or when I lost my sense of reason.
I guess it happened on purpose
Subconsciously, I may have let my common sense go because I am feeling overwhelmed by my emotions.
'Cause lately it's been getting quite intense
I have been experiencing a lot of pressure and stress, causing my thoughts to become muddled.
Today I wandered round the bend
I have lost my direction and am unsure of where to go next.
I took the trip with a friend shopping round for fence (?)
I am aimlessly doing things with others, hoping to find some sense of purpose or belonging.
Had no particular purpose
There is no clear motivation or goal behind my actions.
Just picking up the pieces and pretend it all makes sense
I am trying to piece together my life in a way that appears cohesive, even if it isn't true.
You blow my mind
I am amazed and impressed by you.
And I'll blow yours
I hope to impress you in return.
I've seen the force of your pretty smile
Your charm and radiance are undeniable.
Now baby do it one more time
I want to see you smile and feel that same sense of wonder again.
Today I lost my sense of pride
I am feeling ashamed and uncertain of myself.
Hiding out somewhere it wasn't supposed to hide
My pride has disappeared, and I don't know where to find it.
It might be gone for a while
I may struggle with low self-esteem for some time.
Like music that suddenly just goes out of style
My sense of pride has faded, like a song that is no longer popular.
Today I lost my sense of time
I am unsure of how long things take or how to allocate my time wisely.
It disappeared, like anything you just won't find
My sense of time is lost, and I don't know how to get it back.
I guess I don't really care
I am apathetic towards the concept of time and its importance.
I've been running behind now, year after year
I constantly feel like I am behind and unable to catch up with my responsibilities and goals.
Contributed by Bentley D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.