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.
Misread
Kings of Convenience Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You want us to get along
Please do not expect me to
Wrap it up and keep it there
The observation I am doing could
Easily be understood
As cynical demeanor
But one of us misread
And what do you know
It happened again
A friend is not a means
You utilize to get somewhere
Somehow I didn't notice
Friendship is an end
What do you know
It happened again
How come no one told me
All throughout history
The loneliest people
Were the ones who always spoke the truth
The ones who made a difference
By withstanding the indifference
I guess it's up to me now
Should I take that risk or just smile?
What do you know
It happened again
What do you know
The song Misread by Kings of Convenience is a subtle commentary on the expectations and limitations of friendships. The opening stanza sets the tone, with the singer attributing an "observation" to himself that could be seen as cynicism. He warns his friend not to expect him to "wrap it up and keep it there," indicating that he does not want to sugarcoat his observations for the sake of their friendship. However, despite this directness, "one of us misread." This line highlights the complexity and misunderstandings that can arise in even the closest friendships.
The second stanza delves further into this complexity. The singer asserts that friendships are not simply means to an end, a way to "get somewhere" in life. He admits that he himself had not realized that "friendship is an end," which suggests a shift in his perspective. The repetition of "what do you know, it happened again" further emphasizes that these misunderstandings and realizations are an ongoing process.
The final stanza shifts to a more universal perspective, with the singer reflecting on the value of truth and the loneliness that can come with it. He notes that throughout history, those who have spoken the truth have often been the loneliest people. However, he also acknowledges that these are the people who have made a difference by "withstanding the indifference." The song ends on a questioning note, with the singer wondering if he should "take that risk or just smile."
Overall, Misread is a song that explores the complexities of friendship and the importance of truth. It highlights the difficulties that can arise in even the closest relationships, and the need for directness and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want to be my friend
If you desire to have a companionship with me
You want us to get along
You yearn for us to maintain a harmonious relationship
Please do not expect me to
Kindly avoid anticipating that I will
Wrap it up and keep it there
Pack and conceal everything we have experienced
The observation I am doing could
The impression that I am making can potentially
Easily be understood
Be comprehended without difficulty
As cynical demeanor
As a negative and distrustful demeanor
But one of us misread
But one of us had misunderstood
And what do you know
And surprisingly
It happened again
It occurred again
A friend is not a means
A friend is not a way
You utilize to get somewhere
That you take advantage of to achieve something else
Somehow I didn't notice
For unknown reasons, I did not realize
Friendship is an end
That a friendship is a goal in itself
How come no one told me
Why did nobody inform me prior
All throughout history
Throughout the course of time
The loneliest people
The most desolate individuals
Were the ones who always spoke the truth
Were those who constantly voiced the truth
The ones who made a difference
The ones who had a significant impact
By withstanding the indifference
By enduring the lack of interest
I guess it's up to me now
I suppose it is my responsibility now
Should I take that risk or just smile?
Deciding whether to take a chance or only grin?
What do you know
What a coincidence
It happened again
It occurred again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Eirik Glambek Boe, Erlend Otre Oeye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@khodijahtine6499
If you want to be my friend
You want us to get along
Please do not expect me to
Wrap it up and keep it there
The observation I am doing could
Easily be understood
As cynical demeanor
But one of us misread
And what do you know
It happened again
A friend is not a means
You utilize to get somewhere
Somehow I didn't notice
Friendship is an end
What do you know
It happened again
How come no-one told me
All throughout history
The loneliest people
Were the ones who always spoke the truth
The ones who made a difference
By withstanding the indifference
I guess it's up to me now
Should I take that risk or just smile?
What do you know
It happened again
What do you know
@lesliefr378
who's listening to this masterpiece in 2024?
@RezaqqiMulki
meeee
@user-lo8ho3vk3i
Oo
@LegoMan-cz4mn
Absolutely! Twice actually
@domingocantu9199
Me, today
@gab1610
meeee :)
@SuperKidx10x
Being young and discovering music while you are on highschool felt so joyful. I remember when a Teacher showed me this band. She was my chemistry teacher and i used to help her for my scholarship. I was pretty depressed back then and i really had no one to talk to. She showed me a bunch of bands i will never forget. The way these songs make you feel is like getting together with someone you havent seen on years and having a happy time for a short time until you have to say goodbye again.
@baron5688
which other bands did she show you?
@SuperKidx10x
@@baron5688 Beirut and The whitest boy alive
@birdsascarnage
@@SuperKidx10x the whitest boy alive and Beirut are so so so good. You just got stuck in my head "freedom is a possibility only if you're able to say no".
Those were simpler days I look back on with nostalgia.