Initially, the band played several concerts in Bergen and Western Norway during 2007 and 2008. Their song "Diamanter & Kirsebær" was released on a compilation disc titled Opplett 2008 featuring music from Bergen-based acts including Fjorden Baby!, Kommode, The New Wine, Razika, Di Kjipe and Lars Vaular. In addition, they opened for Norwegian rock band Fjorden Baby! in a major concert on 18 December 2008.
The band was featured on NRK Urørt broadcast on P3 n 2008, and one of the finalists for best act in Urørt's annual show finishing in third place. In February 2009, they performed at the by:Larm music festival in Oslo. Also in February 2009, they were signed to Norwegian record label Voices Music & Entertainment (also known as VM&E).
The band's debut album was released on 14 September 2009 and well-received by critics and selling over 15,000 of the album. During Spellemannprisen equivalent to the Grammys held on 6 March 2010, they won the classic rock award in addition to being nominated for "best newcomer of 2009".
On 7 February 2011, the band released their second album Det nærmeste du kommer followed by an EP Vinterkarusellen with Nils Bech in February 2012.
JON&Gjengen split up as friends in 2013 as announced on Facebook by John Olav himself, and was followed by several concerts with the last one ever being held in Bergen November 16th.
Eurosport
John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For når vi gikk i mørket fantes det ingen lyd
Men bak det fjellet finnes det en liten by
Der vi hører alarmene gå på ny
Eg sa "skyt meg om vi noen gang blir som de"
Bare tomme ord i en bestemt fremtid
Polske varer i norske gater
Sett alle som én falle ned
Lett som bare det
At vi orker det, som gamle boksere
Henger i en tid som e forsvunnet for å bli
At vi orker det, gamle boksere
Du har fått deg gjeld ingen ærlig mann kan betale
Og eg har gjort ting ingen ord noen gang kan forsvare
Å være på beaten gisje oss tiden tilbake
Så ikkje spør meg om du ikkje fikser svaret
For eg trosje eg klarer så veldig mange til
Ser du ikkje flyet som krasjer i sakte film?
Polske varer i norske gater
Eg har netter som varer i flere dager
Sett alle som én falle ned
Lett som bare det
At vi orker det, som gamle boksere
Henger i en tid som e forsvunnet for å bli
Har fått nok av det, se på blomstene
De e ferdig, de
Dette landet finnes ikkje på kartet
Disse følelsene kansje være på ekte
Dette landet finnes ikkje på kartet
Blir for dumt å være så smart som dette
Polske varer i norske gater
Eg har netter som varer i flere dager
Sett alle som én falle ned
Lett som bare det
At vi orker det, som gamle boksere
Henger i en tid som e forsvunnet for å bli
Har fått nok av det, lukt på blomstene
Så om vi ikkje klarer å snu
Vil vel denne bli eneste veien ut
Eneste veien ut
The song "Eurosport" by John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen confronts the issue of disillusionment with contemporary society, particularly in Norway. The lyrics of the song revolve around the experiences of the singer persona who reflects on his childhood ideals, societal contradictions, and the outcomes of his own actions. The first verse is reminiscing about the singer's childhood innocence, where he believed that the world's best thief could steal without making a sound. He then acknowledges that such beliefs are empty words about a predetermined future, indicating that he has grown up, and he's no longer as innocent.
In the second verse, the singer talks about the ills of society and the complacency of individuals even in the face of obvious dangers. He talks of their ability to tolerate the presence of illegal goods in the streets, their extended nights that stretch to days, and their apathy to the plight of people who fall. In his assessment, the people are hanging on to the past, much like old boxers on the ropes, yet the time has moved on, and they need to take responsibility and get out of their complacency.
The chorus emphasizes the theme of the song, the acceptance of a society that has lost its way. The singer laments the presence of Polish goods in Norwegian markets, the continuation of nights that extend to days, and the constant fall of people. He emphasizes that they are accepting the situation despite how blatant the problems are. The bridge tackles the concept of escapism, proposing that people should confront the reality of their situation rather than fleeing from it. Still, if they fail, the only option would be to follow along a misguided path.
Line by Line Meaning
Når eg var liten trodde eg du var verdens beste tyv
When I was little, I believed you were the best thief in the world
For når vi gikk i mørket fantes det ingen lyd
Because when we walked in the dark, there was no sound
Men bak det fjellet finnes det en liten by
But behind that mountain, there's a small town
Der vi hører alarmene gå på ny
Where we hear the alarms go off again
Eg sa "skyt meg om vi noen gang blir som de"
I said, "shoot me if we ever become like them"
Bare tomme ord i en bestemt fremtid
Just empty words in a predetermined future
Polske varer i norske gater
Polish goods in Norwegian streets
Eg har netter som varer i flere dager
I have nights that last for several days
Sett alle som én falle ned
See everyone falling down
Lett som bare det
As easy as it gets
At vi orker det, som gamle boksere
That we can handle it, like old boxers
Henger i en tid som e forsvunnet for å bli
Hanging on a time that is gone, so it can become
At vi orker det, gamle boksere
That we can handle it, old boxers
Du har fått deg gjeld ingen ærlig mann kan betale
You have gotten yourself a debt no honest man can pay
Og eg har gjort ting ingen ord noen gang kan forsvare
And I have done things no words can ever justify
Å være på beaten gisje oss tiden tilbake
Being on the beaten path gives us back the time
Så ikkje spør meg om du ikkje fikser svaret
So don't ask me if you can't handle the answer
For eg trosje eg klarer så veldig mange til
Because I believe I can handle very many
Ser du ikkje flyet som krasjer i sakte film?
Don't you see the plane crashing in slow motion?
Har fått nok av det, se på blomstene
I've had enough of it, look at the flowers
De e ferdig, de
They're done, they
Dette landet finnes ikkje på kartet
This country is not on the map
Disse følelsene kansje være på ekte
These feelings might be real
Blir for dumt å være så smart som dette
It's too foolish to be this smart
Har fått nok av det, lukt på blomstene
I've had enough of it, smell the flowers
Så om vi ikkje klarer å snu
So if we can't turn around
Vil vel denne bli eneste veien ut
This will probably be the only way out
Contributed by Reagan T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
NayLaChee
Nydelig låt--- blir spennende å høre resten:)
limpeza
Helt fantastisk. Som Ingosb2 skriver: John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen gir meg følelser i kroppen som kun de kan skape. Lyrikken og musikken treffer meg, som vanlig, rett i hjertet.
Pia Lilleskare
gud, så deilig låt. Skuffer aldri de guttene!
Hannah Drage
Nydelig tjommi :-)
Ida Susanne Aspaas Olsen
Dette er magisk.
Anax89
Vakkert
Tone K
1 plass på Ituneslista.. sterkt.
Emil Vangsnes
Etter Sisters of mercys something fast, er dette den beste ADHD sangen.
Tom Gabriel Østgulen Rondestveit
Reisendemac77 Ka e det du snakker om ???