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.
Renegade
Kings of Convenience Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To see if you'll hold on to me
I'm in doubt
Of what is thought and what is real
In our room
Between the shapes I thought I knew
A guillotine
I've come
To a listening post beyond your lines
I'm all ears
To gather clues and look for signs
But I can't hear
The song you sing while you try to soothe
Why are you whispering
While the bombs are falling?
Go easy on me
I can't help what I'm doing
Go easy on me
Oh, I can't help what I'm doing
Hello again
I buried you, where have you been?
My renegade
You came back from the labyrinth
Unlike me
You've looked for things that could be found
And the thread
That guides through black times
Go easy on me
I can't help what I'm doing
Go easy on me
Oh, I can't help what I'm doing
When thoughts
Had outnumbered spoken words
In the early hours
We failed to establish
Who was hurt
Most
The lyrics of Kings of Convenience's song Renegade seem to highlight the struggle between holding on and letting go in a relationship. The singer seems to be doubting what is real and what is just a perception in their thoughts. The line "I'm letting go, to see if you'll hold on to me" highlights the need for reassurance and validation in a relationship. The use of metaphors like "a guillotine" and "a pillow with feathers like snow" to describe the shapes in their room adds to the ambiguity of the situation.
In the second verse, the singer talks about being in a "listening post beyond your lines" indicating distance and separation in the relationship. They are actively looking for clues and signs to understand what is happening between them. The line "Why are you whispering while the bombs are falling?" seems to be a critique of the other's behavior in a time of crisis. The chorus seems to be the singer's plea for forgiveness for their actions which are perhaps driven by insecurity.
In the final verse, the singer seems to be addressing someone who has gone on a journey of self-discovery and has returned changed. They seem to be in awe of the other person's resilience and the fact that they were able to "look for things that could be found" while they were struggling. The song ends with the realization that in times of conflict, both parties are hurt and that establishing who is hurt the most is futile.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm letting go
I am releasing my hold on the situation to see if you will take over.
To see if you'll hold on to me
I am testing whether you are committed to our relationship.
I'm in doubt
I am uncertain.
Of what is thought and what is real
I am questioning the authenticity of my perceptions and beliefs.
In our room
We are alone together.
Between the shapes I thought I knew
I am disoriented and feel like I have lost my bearings.
A guillotine
A sharp and deadly object.
A pillow with feathers like snow
A soft and comforting object.
I've come
I have arrived at a new place or understanding.
To a listening post beyond your lines
I have extended myself beyond what I already know or understand in order to better understand you.
I'm all ears
I am fully engaged and listening with an open mind.
To gather clues and look for signs
I am searching for meaning in what you say and do.
But I can't hear
I am unable to understand or appreciate what you are expressing.
The song you sing while you try to soothe
The soothing words you are using to calm me down.
Why are you whispering
Why are you speaking in a hushed tone?
While the bombs are falling?
During such a difficult and stressful time.
Go easy on me
Be patient and understanding with me.
I can't help what I'm doing
I am acting based on my emotions and instincts, and cannot control them.
Hello again
After some time apart or a significant event, we have reconnected.
I buried you, where have you been?
I thought you were gone, where have you been all this time?
My renegade
You are a rebel and do not conform to expectations.
You came back from the labyrinth
You have survived a difficult and confusing situation.
Unlike me
In contrast to me.
You've looked for things that could be found
You have been searching for things that were accessible and available.
And the thread
The guiding principle or idea.
That guides through black times
That provides direction and guidance during difficult and uncertain times.
When thoughts
At the moment when we were thinking.
Had outnumbered spoken words
When our unexpressed thoughts were more than our spoken words.
In the early hours
During the first part of the day.
We failed to establish
We were unable to come to an agreement or understanding.
Who was hurt
Who was injured or upset more in a given situation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EIRIK GLAMBEK BOE, ERLEND OTRE OEYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Wiraharyatama
"Renegade"
I'm letting go
To see if you'll hold on to me
I'm in doubt
Of what is thought and what is real
In our room
Between the shapes I thought I knew
A guillotine
A pillow with feathers like snow
I've come
To a listening post beyond your lines
I'm all ears
To gather clues and look for signs
But I can't hear
The song you sing while you try to soothe
Why are you whispering
While the bombs are falling?
Go easy on me
I can't help what I'm doing
Go easy on me
Oh, I can't help what I'm doing
Hello again
I buried you, where have you been?
My renegade
You came back from the labyrinth
Unlike me
You've looked for things that could be found
And the thread
That guides through black times
Go easy on me
I can't help what I'm doing
Go easy on me
Oh, I can't help what I'm doing
When thoughts
Had outnumbered spoken words
In the early hours
We failed to establish
Who was hurt
Most
@cosmosnpolitan4529
I'm letting go
To see if you'll hold on to me
I'm in doubt
Of what is thought and what is real
In our room
Between the shapes I thought I knew
A guillotine
A pillow with feathers like snow
I've come
To a listening post beyond your lines
I'm all ears
To gather clues and look for signs
But I can't hear
The song you sing while you try to soothe
Why are you whispering
While the bombs are falling?
Go easy on me
I can't help what I'm doing
Go easy on me
Oh, I can't help what I'm doing
Hello again
I buried you, where have you been?
My renegade
You came back from the labyrinth
Unlike me
You've looked for things that could be found
And the thread
That guides through black times
Go easy on me
I can't help what I'm doing
Go easy on me
Oh, I can't help what I'm doing
When thoughts
Had outnumbered spoken words
In the early hours
We failed to establish
Who was hurt
Most
@Lowkeywali
Took a trip with one of my best childhood friends right after we graduated high school. We took a trip to Virginia Beach and it was around the time I had just become a KOC fan. We played this song and a few others from the album every night at the beach and talked about the future and how we would be on top of the world no matter what we did in our lives. Good times!
@bentdink9006
This song changed my life, it is the one of the most beautiful things over ever heard
@oli90
I'm generally a jazz fan, and although jazz is much more complex than this, taking it back to the basics is very purifying. Lace it with these incredible lyrics, and it creates a sort of escape. There's no other word other than excellent for the quality of music these two have constantly put out. It inspires me to drop everything and pursue music, travel and forget about all my worries, and just play my heart out.
@ongoer9036
This is probably my favorite by them. This whole album is awesome to listen to at the beach. Just came back from Miami a week ago and listened to all of these tracks on the beach.
@shanereidy5650
Man this song just cuts right through me. Beautiful!! Brings tears to my eyes
@vanthecatp3001
Great memories. 2010 a fine year
@Sinormi
You really start thinking about who you are when you hear this kind of music. So slowly but it makes your heart beat so fast. I Love it. Respect from Denmark! <3
@fionaclark1841
Calming, peaceful, long live the kings.
@coastalwren
timeless kings. just found this band through spotify. what a buried treasure,,,
@farhansaif3044
man i love this one