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?.
True Love
Laakso Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We ended up
In the thing that I use as a bed
We lay down
Nice, even though you had your period
Nice, even though I couldn't get it up
Nice, even though you had your period
True love
This must be it
On a boat between Stockholm and Helsinki
We just couldn't wait 'til we got to our room
We just couldn't wait 'til we got to our room
We made love on the toilet
Was nice, even though you kept your trousers on
Nice, even though I hadn't wash for this
Nice, even though you kept your trousers on
Nice, even though I hadn't wash for this
True love
This must be true love
True love
This must be it
On a night after a fight
We got together again
With peace and love in your apartment
Weeks later I got this mail where you said
"I miss you, I'm pregnant
I miss you, I'm pregnant again"
Was nice, even though you had no period
Nice, even though we both were terrified
Nice, even though we didn't know what to do
Be the best to drop
You, oh you left for Norway
And didn't turn on the way
The lyrics of "True Love" by Laakso describe unconventional but genuine moments of intimacy between two people who care for each other. The song details three different scenarios where the couple engages in sexual acts, regardless of challenging circumstances. The opening lines, "In the place they call my home, we ended up/In the thing that I use as a bed, we lay down," hints at a possible lack of comfort and stability in the singer's living situation. However, these challenges are overcome with the connection shared by the couple.
The song continues to describe the couple making love on a boat between Stockholm and Helsinki in the toilet. This scenario accentuates the desire and passion shared by the couple, which overrides any concern for privacy or sanitation issues. The final verse describes a moment of reunion, after a fight, where the couple reconnects in a peaceful and loving way. The lyrics end with a bittersweet note, where the woman tells the singer she is pregnant with twins but leaves for Norway, representing the uncertainty of their future together.
The lyrics of "True Love" are unconventional but beautifully honest, describing true intimacy and love that is not limited by physical or societal barriers. The song highlights the depth of the connection between the couple, showing that love can exist in even the most challenging of circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
In the place they call my home
Referring to the location where the singer resides
We ended up
Revealing that the singer and their partner arrived at their abode
In the thing that I use as a bed
Indicating that the couple went to bed together
We lay down
Describing the couple's restful position on the bed
Nice, even though you had your period
Expressing appreciation for the partner's willingness to engage in intimacy during menstruation
Nice, even though I couldn't get it up
Conveying gratitude for the partner's patience and empathy during the singer's sexual dysfunction
True love
Stating that the emotions felt between the two individuals are genuine and profound
This must be it
Asserting that the feeling of true love has been discovered
On a boat between Stockholm and Helsinki
Detailing the location where the couple engaged in a sexual encounter
We just couldn't wait 'til we got to our room
Revealing the couple's impatient desire to engage in intimacy
We made love on the toilet
Disclosing the unique location where the couple had intercourse
Was nice, even though you kept your trousers on
Expressing appreciation for the partner's willingness to participate in sexual activity while clothed
Nice, even though I hadn't wash for this
Conveying gratitude for the partner's sexual acceptance despite the singer's uncleanliness
This must be true love
Reiterating the profound and genuine nature of the couple's love
On a night after a fight
Indicating that the couple argued before reconciling
We got together again
Describing the renewal of the couple's romantic relationship
With peace and love in your apartment
Revealing the setting for the couple's reconciliation
Weeks later I got this mail where you said
Narrating the event of receiving a message from the partner
"I miss you, I'm pregnant
Disclosing the partner's pregnancy through the mail
I miss you, I'm pregnant again"
Revealing that the partner is pregnant for the second time
Nice, even though you had no period
Expressing gratitude for the partner's acceptance and comfort during a pregnancy without menstruation
Nice, even though we both were terrified
Conveying gratitude for the partner's support and understanding despite the couple's fear and uncertainty
Nice, even though we didn't know what to do
Expressing gratitude for the partner's companionship and guidance during a confusing situation
Be the best to drop
A nonsensical phrase with no clear meaning
You, oh you left for Norway
Revealing that the partner departed for Norway, leaving the singer behind
And didn't turn on the way
Possibly indicating that the partner did not return to the singer's location
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind