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.
Klokkene
John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Og kom kommer eg eg kommer som sendt for deg
Tenk tenker du tenker du tenk på meg
Og spreng sprenger eg eg sprenger en vegg for deg
Ville hjerter vil vel aldri bli knust
Men ka hjelper det når vi flyr i et bur
Og galskapens tanker banker på din dør
Og ingenting kan bli som det var før
Fra vestblokkene skal klokkene ringe
Fra dagen du røk inn til dagen du kommer ut
Smil smiler du du smiler og tviler no
Tvil tviler eg eg tviler på livet no
Lev lever du du lever i sivet no
Riv river det det river mitt liv i to
Og sender ut bare klare signaler
Tar du tiden gjør som tiden befaler
Alt vi gjorde og alt vi aldri sa
Og alt vi aldri ble så
Vent venter du venter du vent på meg
Og kom kommer eg eg kommer som sendt for deg
Tenk tenker du tenker du tenk på meg
Og spreng sprenger eg eg sprenger en vegg for deg
Fra vestblokkene skal klokkene ringe
Fra dagen du røk inn til dagen du kommer ut
Tar du tiden kom kast klokken på sjøen
Tar du dommen kom kast klokken på sjøen
The lyrics to "Klokkene" by John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen are filled with introspection and themes of waiting, doubts, and longing for a connection or a better life. The repetition of phrases like "vent venter du venter du vent på meg" (wait, are you waiting, you're waiting, waiting for me) and "tenk tenker du tenker du tenk på meg" (think, are you thinking, you're thinking, think of me) gives a sense of anticipation and a desire for someone to acknowledge the singer's presence or thoughts. The lyrics also touch on the feeling of being trapped or confined, represented by the line "Ville hjerter vil vel aldri bli knust, men ka hjelper det når vi flyr i et bur" (Willing hearts will never be broken, but what good is it when we fly in a cage). There is a recognition that despite the desire for connection, things cannot go back to the way they were before.
The song also introduces the motif of clocks, symbolizing the passing of time and the inevitable changes it brings. The line "Fra vestblokkene skal klokkene ringe, fra dagen du røk inn til dagen du kommer ut" (From the west blocks, the bells will ring, from the day you got in until the day you get out) suggests a sense of imprisonment or a struggle, and the longing to break free from it.
Overall, the lyrics of "Klokkene" convey feelings of anticipation, longing, doubts, and a yearning for change or escape. It explores the complexities of human emotions and the desire for connection in a world that can often feel confining and limited.
Line by Line Meaning
Vent venter du venter du vent på meg
Wait, are you waiting for me, eagerly anticipating my arrival?
Og kom kommer eg eg kommer som sendt for deg
And here I am, arriving just at the right time for you.
Tenk tenker du tenker du tenk på meg
Are you thinking about me, constantly pondering my presence?
Og spreng sprenger eg eg sprenger en vegg for deg
And I will break through any obstacle for you, bursting like an explosion.
Ville hjerter vil vel aldri bli knust
Willing hearts will probably never be broken.
Men ka hjelper det når vi flyr i et bur
But what does it matter when we are trapped, flying in a cage?
Og galskapens tanker banker på din dør
And the thoughts of madness knock on your door.
Og ingenting kan bli som det var før
And nothing can be like it was before.
Fra vestblokkene skal klokkene ringe
From the western blocks, the bells shall ring.
Fra dagen du røk inn til dagen du kommer ut
From the day you got caught until the day you are released.
Smil smiler du du smiler og tviler no
You're smiling and doubting now, with a smile on your face.
Tvil tviler eg eg tviler på livet no
I doubt, I have doubts about life now.
Lev lever du du lever i sivet no
You're living, living in the reeds now, hiding.
Riv river det det river mitt liv i to
To tear, it tears my life in two.
Og sender ut bare klare signaler
And I'm sending out only clear signals.
Tar du tiden gjør som tiden befaler
If you take the time, do as time commands.
Alt vi gjorde og alt vi aldri sa
Everything we did and everything we never said.
Og alt vi aldri ble så
And all that we never became.
Tar du tiden kom kast klokken på sjøen
If you take the time, come and throw the clock into the sea.
Tar du dommen kom kast klokken på sjøen
If you take the judgement, come and throw the clock into the sea.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ketil S - Taphephobia
Bra jam. Takk for inspirasjonen.
GvrnmntHkr
Dette er så ekte, så vakkert, så ekte. Så sommerlig. Pils, akustisk, sigaretter og kos.
Andy Johannesen
kjør hard kjør stil , Gleder meg te sommeren i 5071 uten tvil
Brage Hallgrimsen
Definisjoen på ekte musikk.
Danny Powers
Nydelig
alexskulstad
deilig!!
lykkelig10
deilig!
bjornary
Kanskje den beste Hansa-reklamen ever
moviefreakFTW
blir faen ikke bedre !
Izabella Corazon
Gjengen❤️