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.
På et blunk
John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Men de e hvite blokker som e knust
Pakket i poser og distribuert i doser
Men eg vinner deg tilbake med en bukett med roser
Og vi kommer snikende over likene
Og hører skrikene fra livene som ble krevd
Og selv om det virker langt til solen no
For mine drømmer drømmer egne drømmer no
Mine drømmer drømmer egne drømmer no
Og de drømmer for oss to
Og tenk om dine tanker aldri vandret vekk
Og tenk om min kropp ikkje alltid kom etter
Og det verste av alt e at det meste e sant
Men det beste av alt: vi var sammen når vi falt
Og de ser seg over skuldrene når vi e ute med ulvene
Håper ingen ser at vi kanskje e gått til hundene
Men om det e så, så e dette mitt brev
Og eg tar første runden om du får det eg skrev
For mine drømmer drømmer egne drømmer no
Mine drømmer drømmer egne drømmer no
Og de drømmer for oss to
Kor lenge skal vi leve her på knærne?
Vi må ta en pause og bli værende
Mine drømmer drømmer egne drømmer no
Mine drømmer drømmer egne drømmer no
Og de drømmer om oss to
For oss to
The song "På et blunk" by John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen is a reflective and introspective piece that brings to light the messy complexities of relationships. The opening lines poetically express the frustration of having scattered and broken thoughts that are trying to be gathered and understood. The idea of white blocks being shattered and distributed in doses represents the frustration of not being able to control one's thoughts and feelings. However, the lyrics take a positive turn when the singer wins their partner back with a bouquet of roses.
The second verse delves deeper into the harsh realities of life, as the couple sneaks past "the bodies" of those who have been lost. The singer reassures their partner that even though the journey ahead may seem long, they should remain calm and trust in the path they are taking. The subsequent lines "mine dreams dream their own dreams now, dreams for both of us" reveals that the singer has accepted the things they cannot control and instead, chooses to focus on their own dreams and aspirations.
The third verse explores the idea of not letting thoughts wander too far and losing control of one's body. The singer is thankful for the fact that they fell together, even if the harsh realities of life constantly threaten to tear them apart. The lines "they look over their shoulders when we are out with the wolves, hoping no one sees that we may have gone to the dogs" represents the societal pressures of keeping up appearances and pretending everything is okay. The singer acknowledges that if they have fallen, then this song is their way of communicating and taking the first step towards reconciliation.
Overall, the song is a poignant and honest reflection on the complexities of relationships and the importance of accepting the things outside of one's control.
Line by Line Meaning
Tenk om mine tanker var litt som et hus
What if my thoughts were a bit like a house
Men de e hvite blokker som e knust
But they're white blocks that are shattered
Pakket i poser og distribuert i doser
Packaged in bags and distributed in doses
Men eg vinner deg tilbake med en bukett med roser
But I win you back with a bouquet of roses
Og vi kommer snikende over likene
And we come sneaking over the bodies
Og hører skrikene fra livene som ble krevd
And hear the screams from the lives that were demanded
Og selv om det virker langt til solen no
And even though the sun seems far away right now
Så du min venn bare ta det med ro
You, my friend, just take it easy
For mine drømmer drømmer egne drømmer no
Because my dreams dream their own dreams now
Mine drømmer drømmer egne drømmer no
My dreams dream their own dreams now
Og de drømmer for oss to
And those dreams are for the two of us
Og tenk om dine tanker aldri vandret vekk
And what if your thoughts never wandered away
Og tenk om min kropp ikkje alltid kom etter
And what if my body didn't always follow
Og det verste av alt e at det meste e sant
And the worst part is that most of it is true
Men det beste av alt: vi var sammen når vi falt
But the best part of all: we were together when we fell
Og de ser seg over skuldrene når vi e ute med ulvene
And they look over their shoulders when we're out with the wolves
Håper ingen ser at vi kanskje e gått til hundene
Hope no one sees that we might have gone to the dogs
Men om det e så, så e dette mitt brev
But if that's the case, then this is my letter
Og eg tar første runden om du får det eg skrev
And I'll take the first round if you get what I wrote
Kor lenge skal vi leve her på knærne?
How long are we going to live on our knees?
Vi må ta en pause og bli værende
We need to take a break and stay put
Mine drømmer drømmer egne drømmer no
My dreams dream their own dreams now
Mine drømmer drømmer egne drømmer no
My dreams dream their own dreams now
Og de drømmer om oss to
And those dreams are about us two
For oss to
For us two
Contributed by Kayla K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.