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.
Love Is No Big Truth
Kings of Convenience Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A memory of the cushion life, I'm clinging to
The image of a mutual one, our haven
The somber chords of our song, the fading
Love is no big truth
Driven by our genes
We are simple selfish beings
A symphony that's you
The ignorant and sleeping
Passion and its brother hate, they come and go
Could easily be made to stay for longer, though
Many people play this game so willingly
Do I have to be like them, or be lonely?
Love is no big truth
Driven by our genes
We are simple selfish beings
A symphony that's you
Joyously awaking
The ignorant and sleeping
I'll never need it again, again, again
I'll never need it again, again, again
I'll never need it again, again, again
I'll never need it again, again, again
...
The lyrics to Kings of Convenience’s “Love Is No Big Truth” center around the theme of love and its truth or lack thereof. The singer admits to spending their days sleeping and thinking about their lover, clinging to the memory of their past happiness together. The idea of their relationship being a “mutual haven” is juxtaposed with the “somber chords” and “fading” nature of their song, suggesting that their love may be fleeting or incomplete. The chorus reinforces the idea that love is not a universal truth, but rather driven by our biological instincts, making us “simple selfish beings.” The singer questions whether they need to conform to societal norms of playing the game of passion and hate or be alone.
The verses of the song describe the singer’s state of mind and their relationship with their lover. The use of the phrase “cushion life” suggests a comfortable and perhaps complacent existence, while the reference to “passion and its brother hate” implies the ups and downs of a tumultuous relationship. The chorus, which repeats twice in the song, asserts the idea that love is not a grand romantic ideal, but rather a biological impulse, and that we are all driven by these same forces.
Overall, the song presents a somewhat cynical view of love, suggesting that it is fleeting and driven by biological instincts rather than any higher purpose. The singer seems torn between their desire for love and their skepticism about its lasting power.
Line by Line Meaning
All I do is sleep all day and think of you
I spend my days in a drowsy state, reminiscing about your presence in my life.
A memory of the cushion life, I'm clinging to
I hold onto the pleasant memories of having you in my life, as if it's a safe and comfortable place to be.
The image of a mutual one, our haven
Thinking of our relationship as a mutually understood and accepted place of refuge from the chaotic world.
The somber chords of our song, the fading
The melody of our relationship has become melancholic, and it's slowly disappearing.
Love is no big truth
Love is not an absolute and universal concept, but rather a subjective experience influenced by our biological instincts and individual perspectives.
Driven by our genes
Our innate biological tendencies and desires heavily shape how we experience and participate in love relationships.
We are simple selfish beings
As humans, we prioritize our own needs and interests over others, even in romantic relationships.
A symphony that's you
You are like a beautiful and complex musical composition to me, with different layers and harmonies that make up our relationship.
Joyously awaking
Feeling happy and content when I am around you, when I wake up beside you, or when I think of you.
The ignorant and sleeping
Sometimes ignorance is bliss when it comes to love, and being oblivious or unaware of certain things can actually contribute to our happiness and stability.
Passion and its brother hate, they come and go
Intense emotions like passion and hate are fleeting and temporary, they can arise as strongly and quickly as they can disappear.
Could easily be made to stay for longer, though
It's possible to artificially extend or prolong these intense emotions, but doing so would require a level of dedication and effort that may not be sustainable.
Many people play this game so willingly
A lot of people choose to actively participate in the cycle of intense emotions that love and relationships can bring, despite its potential pain and suffering.
Do I have to be like them, or be lonely?
Am I obligated to follow the same path as others and take the same risks to experience love, or can I choose a different path that avoids those risks altogether, even if that means being alone?
I'll never need it again, again, again
I have come to the conclusion that I do not need love and relationships to be happy or fulfilled, and I will remind myself of this repeatedly.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EIRIK GLAMBEK BOE, ERLEND OTRE OEYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind