After first earning notice thanks to a series of acclaimed European festival appearances during the summer of 1999, the twosome signed to American label Kindercore to issue their lovely eponymous debut the following spring. Quiet Is the New Loud was issued in early 2001 on Astralwerks. The album used many of the same tracks from the Kindercore release but re-ordered them and replaced a few with newer songs. The remix album Versus followed later in the year and featured remixes by artists as diverse as Ladytron, avid Whitaker and Four Tet. After a three year layoff during which Øye recorded a solo album, 2003's Unrest, and gained some reknown as an electronica DJ while Bøe worked on finishing up his psychology degree, the pair teamed up again for the recording and release of 2004's Riot on an Empty Street.
After a 5 year layoff, the band released Declaration Of Dependence on October 20, 2009 on Astralwerks in the US and Virgin Records in the UK.
Erlend Øye has released some solo material and is also a member of The Whitest Boy Alive.
Eirik Glambek Bøe is also a member of a second band, Kommode. The Whitest Boy Alive and Kommode toured together this year for a short period.
Failure
Kings of Convenience Lyrics
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To cover my thighs against the rain,
I do not mind about my hair.
Your jacket may be waterproof,
But I know the moment you get home
You're gonna get your trousers changed.
Failure is always the best way to learn,
Retracing your steps until you know,
I wish I could travel overground
To where all you hear is water sounds,
Lush as the wind upon a tree.
I wish I could travel overground
To where all you hear is water sounds,
To capture and keep inside of me.
Failure is always the best way to lean,
Retracing your steps until you know,
Have no fear your wounds will heal.
In "Failure" by Kings of Convenience, the lyrics speak to the idea of accepting mistakes and failures as a necessary part of the learning process. The singer describes using the Guardian newspaper as a shield against the rain, emphasizing the idea of protection as a way to avoid failure. However, they also acknowledge that failure is inevitable and is, in fact, the best way to learn. They encourage listeners to retrace their steps and learn from their mistakes, assuring that any wounds caused by failure will eventually heal.
The musical style of "Failure" is mellow and melancholy, with acoustic guitar and soft vocals. The melancholic tone of the music enhances the introspective nature of the lyrics, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own experiences with failure.
Overall, "Failure" is a compelling song that speaks to the importance of accepting and learning from one's mistakes. Through its lyrics and music, it encourages listeners to embrace the learning process, even when it involves setbacks or difficulties.
Line by Line Meaning
Using the Guardian as a shield,
I am using the newspaper as a makeshift shield to protect my legs from the rain.
To cover my thighs against the rain,
I am trying to keep my legs dry by covering them with the newspaper.
I do not mind about my hair.
I don't care if my hair gets wet, as long as the newspaper is protecting my legs.
Your jacket may be waterproof,
Even though your jacket is waterproof,
But I know the moment you get home
I know that as soon as you get home
You're gonna get your trousers changed.
You will change your trousers because they will be wet.
Failure is always the best way to learn,
One learns best from their mistakes.
Retracing your steps until you know,
By going back over your mistakes, you will learn how to do it correctly.
Have no fear your wounds will heal.
Don't worry, you will recover from your mistakes.
I wish I could travel overground
I would love to travel above ground
To where all you hear is water sounds,
To a place where the only sound is water.
Lush as the wind upon a tree.
The sound of the water would be as refreshing as the wind blowing through trees.
To capture and keep inside of me.
I would like to hold onto that peaceful feeling.
Failure is always the best way to learn,
The best way to learn is through one's mistakes.
Retracing your steps until you know,
By reviewing your mistakes, you can learn how to do it right.
Have no fear your wounds will heal.
Don't worry, you will recover from your mistakes.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EIRIK GLAMBEK BOE, ERLEND OTRE OEYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind