Flunk is a Norwegian electronic band consisting of producer Ulf Nygaard, gu… Read Full Bio ↴Flunk is a Norwegian electronic band consisting of producer Ulf Nygaard, guitarist Jo Bakke, drummer Erik Ruud, and vocalist Anja Øyen Vister.

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.

Karma Police
Flunk Lyrics

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Karma police arrest this man
He talks in maths he buzzes like a fridge
He's like a detuned radio

Karma police arrest this girl
Her Hitler hairdo is making me feel ill
And we have crashed her party

This is what you get
This is what you get
This is what you get
When you mess with us

Karma police I've given all I can
It's not enough I've given all I can
But we're still on the payroll

This is what you get
This is what you get
This is what you get
When you mess with us

And for a minute there
I lost myself I lost myself
And for a minute there
I lost myself I lost myself
And for a minute there
I lost myself I lost myself
And for a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself

And for a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself

And for a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself

Overall Meaning

"Karma Police" by Flunk is a song that holds deep and layered meanings. It explores themes of justice, societal conformity, and the consequences of going against the norm. The lyrics depict a situation where the karma police, metaphorically representing the consequences of one's actions, are called upon to intervene.

In the first verse, the lyrics describe a man who "talks in maths" and "buzzes like a fridge." This could represent someone who communicates with logic and detachment, lacking emotional depth and warmth. The reference to a "detuned radio" further emphasizes his inability to effectively connect with others or tune into the societal frequency. The karma police are called upon to arrest this man, suggesting that his disconnectedness from human connection and emotion is seen as a violation of the natural order.

Moving on to the second verse, the lyrics highlight a girl with a "Hitler hairdo" that makes the singer feel ill. This could symbolize the girl's adherence to oppressive ideologies or conformity to societal norms that go against individual freedom and expression. The phrase "we have crashed her party" implies an attempt to disrupt her established beliefs and challenge her authority. The karma police are once again called upon, showcasing the consequences one might face for perpetuating harmful ideologies or imposing them upon others.

The chorus "This is what you get when you mess with us" serves as a warning and a statement of defiance. It suggests that those who challenge or infringe upon the rights and freedom of others will eventually face consequences for their actions. It reflects a strong belief in the idea of karma, where one's actions determine their fate.

In the subsequent verses, the lyrics express a realization that despite giving their all, it is not enough to bring about the desired change. The reference to being "on the payroll" indicates a loss of independence and autonomy, being stuck in a system or structure that is difficult to escape. The repetition of the chorus reaffirms the idea that those who disrupt and challenge the existing power structures will face repercussions, but it also emphasizes the frustration of not being able to fully break free or bring about significant change.

The repetition of the final lines "And for a minute there, I lost myself" suggests a moment of vulnerability or self-doubt. It signifies that in the face of the struggle for justice and individuality, there may be moments of weakness and uncertainty. It further implies that the battle to challenge oppressive forces and societal norms can have personal costs, potentially leading to the sacrifice of one's own identity.

Overall, "Karma Police" delves into the complexities of societal justice and the repercussions of deviating from the norm. It emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself, despite the challenges, while recognizing that the fight for change can be both empowering and personally detrimen

Line by Line Meaning

Karma police arrest this man
The karma police should apprehend this man because he communicates in a logical, unemotional way and emits a static-like energy, resembling a malfunctioning appliance.

He talks in maths he buzzes like a fridge
His way of speaking is heavily analytical, resembling mathematical equations, and he emits a constant hum like a fridge on the verge of breaking down.

He's like a detuned radio
He is similar to a radio with a distorted signal, producing sounds that are off-tune and dissonant.

Karma police arrest this girl
The karma police should detain this girl because her hairstyle resembling Adolf Hitler's disgusts me and makes me feel physically unwell.

Her Hitler hairdo is making me feel ill
Her choice of hairstyle, akin to Adolf Hitler's infamous haircut, has a sickening effect on my well-being.

And we have crashed her party
We have disrupted her gathering or event, causing chaos and disturbance.

This is what you get
This is the consequence you face.

When you mess with us
When you provoke or challenge us.

Karma police I've given all I can
Karma police, I have provided everything within my capacity.

It's not enough I've given all I can
Unfortunately, my efforts and contributions are insufficient and inadequate.

But we're still on the payroll
Despite our shortcomings, we are still employed and accountable.