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
In "På et Blunk," John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen present a perspective on relationships and introspection. The opening lines, "Tenk om mine tanker var litt som et hus / Men de e hvite blokker som e knust," describe the singer's scattered thoughts and emotions, broken apart into "white blocks." These thoughts are then packaged and distributed as "doses," demonstrating a sense of control the singer feels towards their own emotions.
The lyrics paint a picture of two people who have gone through a lot together, perhaps including some dark moments ("Og vi kommer snikende over likene / Og hører skrikene fra livene som ble krevd"). Yet despite this, the singer remains hopeful about the future ("Så du min venn bare ta det med ro"). They reflect on their own personal growth and the ability to dream their own dreams, independent of their partner's journeys ("Mine drømmer drømmer egne drømmer no").
The song addresses the strength and resilience of relationships, even amid hardships ("Men det beste av alt vi var sammen når vi falt"). In the end, there is a call to take a break and reflect on their bond, regardless of any difficulties they have faced ("Vi må ta en pause og bli værende").
Line by Line Meaning
Tenk om mine tanker var litt som et hus
Imagine if my thoughts were like a house
Men de e hvite blokker som e knust
But they are white blocks that are broken
Pakket i poser og distribuert i doser
Packed in bags and distributed in doses
Men eg vinner deg tilbake med en bukett med roser
But I'll win you back with a bouquet of roses
Og vi kommer snikende over likene
And we sneak over the bodies
Og hører skrikene fra livene som ble krevd
And hear the screams from the lives that were taken
Og selv om det virker langt til solen no
And even though the sun seems far away now
Så du min venn bare ta det med ro
So my friend, just take it easy
For mine drømmer drømmer egne drømmer no
Because my dreams are dreaming their own dreams now
Og de drømmer for oss to
And they dream for the two of us
Og tenk om dine tanker aldri vandret vekk
And imagine if your thoughts never wandered away
Og tenk om min kropp ikkje alltid kom etter
And imagine 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 is that we fell together
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
Hoping no one sees that we may have gone astray
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 will we live here on our knees
Vi må ta en pause og bli værende
We must take a break and stay awhile
Mine drømmer drømmer egne drømmer no
My dreams are dreaming their own dreams now
Og de drømmer om oss to
And they dream about the two of us
For oss to
For us two
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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