In the fall of 1999 at a lunch canteen of the university outside of Uppsala, Sweden, Markus was humming to a Belle & Sebastian song so that David could hear him. It was enough to convince that the chasm between an indie-nerd who didn't care enough and a vegan who wanted only to demonstrate could in fact be bridged. Later they moved in together and formed LAAKSO. The name LAAKSO and the fact that the band exclusively sang in Finnish when they first formed is due to David's both parents and Markus' mother all coming from Tornedalen (Tornionjokilaakso, Laakso meaning valley).
After resolutely searching amongst the students of Uppsala they found Micke, a dungeons and dragons fanatic from Gotland (an island on the East coast of Sweden) who liked Guns & Roses and loved to play bass; and Jonathan, the drummer. Jonathan developed stage fight and was replaced a few days before the recording of their debut EP - Long Beach EP - by Lars, a carefree lad with passion for funk.
Things developed at a steady pace and LAAKSO made new friends. David and the Citizens and The Concretes were probably the most meaningful meetings. The first indirectly lead to a recording contract with a small independent Adrian Recordings and Luger to become their booking agency. The second meeting lead to a love affair between Laakso and producer Jari Haapalainen (Ed Harcourt, Moneybrother, Kristofer Åström, The Concretes and Nicolai Dunger).
Since then Jari had accompanied guys into the studio for all their recordings - from Long Beach EP via LAAKSO's debut album I Miss You, Im Pregnant and a single Aussie Girl to their second release My Gods and finally to an album Mother, Am I Good Looking?.
Clear
Laakso Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
afterwards weird things seem to make sense
but while in it it's a mess
drunk turns sober again
vividly crazy gets hangover in the end
oh such a mess
it's a fucking mess
I was waiting at your door
hoping for more
but hey, I want you to know that I'm ready to go on my own
I won't beg on my knees and I won't ask you please
cause I'm here and I'm now and it's good to be just on my own
live your dreams at last
troubled times from now belong to the past
but you miss the mess
miss the mess, miss the mess, miss the mess
so this is greener grass
better views new sights should bring meaning to life
but you miss the mess
it's a fucking mess
I was waiting at your door
hoping for more
but hey, I want you to know that I'm ready to go on my own
I won't beg on my knees and I won't ask you please
cause I'm here and I'm now and it's good to be just on my own
The lyrics to Laakso's song "Clear" explore the idea that things may only make sense after they've happened, and that the mess and chaos of life can be missed even after achieving one's dreams. The opening lines suggest that hindsight can bring clarity, but in the moment, life can be confusing and complicated. The metaphor of getting drunk and then sober again is used to illustrate this idea, as well as the notion that something can be vividly crazy but ultimately lead to a hangover.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of moving on and being ready to stand on one's own two feet. The singer asserts that they are ready to move forward without begging or asking for anyone's help, indicating a sense of pride and independence. However, even while living one's dreams and experiencing new things, there can still be a sense of missing the mess and chaos of life.
Overall, the lyrics to "Clear" convey a complex blend of ideas about life, including the messiness of existence, the confusing nature of hindsight, and the desire for independence even while acknowledging the value of chaos and imperfection.
Line by Line Meaning
things turn clear in the end
Eventually, situations or events become understandable and unambiguous.
afterwards weird things seem to make sense
In retrospect, things that were strange or illogical at the time now have a logical explanation.
but while in it it's a mess
During the confusion, it's difficult to make sense of anything.
drunk turns sober again
After the intoxication fades, one returns to an objective state of mind.
vividly crazy gets hangover in the end
Excessive indulgence in pleasure eventually leads to negative consequences and regret.
oh such a mess
The situation is disorganized and chaotic.
it's a fucking mess
The situation is extremely disordered and out of control.
I was waiting at your door
The artist was anticipating an encounter or relationship.
hoping for more
The artist had high expectations for the encounter or relationship.
but hey, I want you to know that I'm ready to go on my own
The artist is independent and self-assured and does not need another's validation or approval.
I won't beg on my knees and I won't ask you please
The singer will not lower themselves or grovel for someone's affection or attention.
cause I'm here and I'm now and it's good to be just on my own
The artist is content and fulfilled in their current state of independence and self-reliance.
live your dreams at last
Finally achieve your aspirations and desires.
troubled times from now belong to the past
The difficulties and challenges experienced in the past are now over and done with.
but you miss the mess
There is a sense of longing or nostalgia for the chaotic and unpredictable moments of the past.
miss the mess, miss the mess, miss the mess
The artist strongly desires the tumultuous elements of the past.
so this is greener grass
The current situation or circumstance appears to be better or more desirable than the past.
better views new sights should bring meaning to life
The new experiences and opportunities should give purpose and significance to life.
I was waiting at your door
The singer was anticipating an encounter or relationship.
hoping for more
The artist had high expectations for the encounter or relationship.
but hey, I want you to know that I'm ready to go on my own
The artist is independent and self-assured and does not need another's validation or approval.
I won't beg on my knees and I won't ask you please
The artist will not lower themselves or grovel for someone's affection or attention.
cause I'm here and I'm now and it's good to be just on my own
The singer is content and fulfilled in their current state of independence and self-reliance.
Contributed by Lillian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.