Gatas Parlament were the first Norwegian rappers to rap in Norwegian. The pioneers of Norwegian Rap, such as Warlocks or A-Team, rapped in English. Gatas Parlament started out in 1993, taking the name Kveldens Høydepunkt (Highlight of the Night). Don Martin did not take to the name, and it was therefore changed. Later, they attended a public speech by Carl I. Hagen, the chairman of the right-wing party Fremskrittspartiet, where they threw eggs and rotten fruit at Hagen. This caused Hagen to comment that gatens parlament ruled the country, and the three rappers stuck with the name (the riksmål-wording of gaten was dropped for gata, more fitting for their sociolect).
The band caused controversy in Norway with their video "Antiamerikansk Dans" (Anti American Dance) together with the Swedish rap artist Promoe. In addition, their website killhim.nu ("Kill him Now"), which put a bounty on the assassination of George W. Bush, caused the American embassy in Norway to react, and the website was subsequently shut down.
Vårkåt Isabell
Gatas Parlament Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Har et hjerte for å nasjonalisere banker
Dessuten er'a fullt i stand til
Å hevde seg i diskusjoner mer enn folk er vandt til
Du bør'kke kalle'a en dranker
Sjøl om'a liker seg i parker
Og du skal se'a når'a danser
Mon tro om jeg har en sjanse
Jeg ser at du ligger nedi parken utilgjengelig
Og jeg skal ikke sitte her så lenge si
Og jeg skal ikke si jeg liker deg det er hemmelig
For jeg skal stikke og ta en øl for snart stenger de
Jeg lever av noe det ikke er noe penger i
Og nå tenkte jeg at jeg skulle gå å brenne de
Og har du lyst kan du være med å henge litt
Så kan vi sitte og prate politikk til stengetid
Hun tenker jeg mener hun sier fritt palestina
Det ligger i lufta jeg tenker men tier vårkåt isabell
I parken er'a hjemme men du lar deg ikke glemme
At verden ikke er bare fred og gammen enn så lenge
At opprøret trenger stemmer
Det burde du ikke skjønne når du nynner på refrenget
Og sånn fortsetter praten
Lenge etter at vi har fått maten
Hun dobbeltsjekker avocadoen
Så den ikke kommer direkte fra apartheid staten
The lyrics of "Vårkåt Isabell" by Gatas Parlament depict a scene in a park where the singer observes a woman named Isabell who seems to be confident and capable, with a heart for nationalizing banks and engaging in discussions beyond the ordinary. The singer is intrigued by Isabell's presence in the park and wonders if there is a possibility for a connection between them. Despite Isabell's enjoyment of being in the park, the singer hesitates to label her as a drinker and contemplates whether there is a chance for a dance or interaction with her.
As the narrative progresses, the singer notices Isabell lying in the park seemingly unapproachable, which triggers the singer's decision to not linger and express any overt feelings for her. The singer acknowledges a non-monetary source of sustenance they rely on and considers burning some papers, possibly symbolic of shedding unnecessary burdens or societal expectations. The singer extends an invitation to Isabell to join them for a drink and engage in political discussions until closing time, hinting at a shared sense of activism and camaraderie.
The portrayal of Isabell's thoughts on a free Palestine hints at her political consciousness and ideals that are palpable in the air, prompting introspection from the singer. Isabell's juxtaposition of feeling at home in the park while being aware of the world's harsh realities underscores the complexity of her character. The conversation between the singer and Isabell extends beyond mere pleasantries, delving into discussions on politics and social justice issues, such as the significance of raising voices for change and the implications of supporting certain products linked to oppressive systems like apartheid.
Overall, "Vårkåt Isabell" captures a moment of connection and contemplation in a park setting, where personal reflections intertwine with broader societal concerns. The lyrics delve into themes of activism, political awareness, and the nuanced layers of human interactions, inviting listeners to reflect on the complexities of identity, social responsibility, and the pursuit of justice in a world marked by both beauty and inequality.
Line by Line Meaning
Jeg ser'a nedi parken og jeg veit det er der'a vanker
I observe her down in the park and I know that's where she hangs out
Har et hjerte for å nasjonalisere banker
Has a heart for nationalizing banks
Dessuten er'a fullt i stand til
Moreover, she is fully capable of
Å hevde seg i diskusjoner mer enn folk er vandt til
Asserting herself in discussions more than people are used to
Du bør'kke kalle'a en dranker
You shouldn't call her a drinker
Sjøl om'a liker seg i parker
Even though she enjoys herself in parks
Og du skal se'a når'a danser
And you shall see her when she dances
Mon tro om jeg har en sjanse
I wonder if I have a chance
Jeg ser at du ligger nedi parken utilgjengelig
I see that you are lying down in the park, unreachable
Og jeg skal ikke sitte her så lenge si
And I shall not sit here for too long, say
Og jeg skal ikke si jeg liker deg det er hemmelig
And I shall not say I like you, it's a secret
For jeg skal stikke og ta en øl for snart stenger de
Because I'll head off to grab a beer, they close soon
Hun tenker jeg mener hun sier fritt palestina
She thinks I mean she says 'free Palestine'
Det ligger i lufta jeg tenker men tier vårkåt isabell
It's in the air, I think but silent is horny Isabell
I parken er'a hjemme men du lar deg ikke glemme
In the park she's at home but you don't let yourself forget
At verden ikke er bare fred og gammen enn så lenge
That the world is not just peace and fun for the time being
At opprøret trenger stemmer
That the rebellion needs voices
Det burde du ikke skjønne når du nynner på refrenget
You should not understand when you hum the chorus
Og sånn fortsetter praten
And the conversation continues like this
Lenge etter at vi har fått maten
Long after we've had our food
Hun dobbeltsjekker avocadoen
She double-checks the avocado
Så den ikke kommer direkte fra apartheid staten
So it doesn't come directly from the apartheid state
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GatasParlament
Good times!!
@LuskeTrusk
Det var stemmning!