Langer writes the majority of his repertoire alone, but also collaborates with among others Marcus Winther-John , Tim Christensen , Daniel Ahearn , Edie Kuhnle , and Justin Hawkins . Tim Christensen has contributed to several songs with backing vocals, guitar and bass on Langer's earlier albums, and Justin Hawkins sings backing vocals on Langer's upcoming album. He has announced that he will also be working with several artists and producers from the United States, including Ryan Tedder . About his approach to music, Langer says: "I'm very inspired of the way Keith Jarrett just lets his hands run out of control and create big poetic moments out of improvisation. The same can be said for other big artists like Ryan Adams and Jeff Buckley. I can relate to all three because they all seem to let their intuition and playful musicality take them to beautiful places. My own music originates in the same way.” Other musical influences he names are Chris Cornell , John Mayer , Prince , Coldplay , Rickie Lee Jones , Stevie Wonder , The Beatles , Nick Drake , The Band , Radiohead , Fionn Regan , Bob Dylan , Neil Young , and Ray Lamontagne . His voice is often compared to Thom Yorke's and Jeff Buckley's. His band, both in the studio and live, is composed of Søren Lund on guitar, Nis Tyrrestrup op bass, and Asger Møller on drums and percussion. On March 30, 2011, Langer introduced Simon Luth as his sixth band member and announced he will be the opening act for his shows in May 2011. Langer plays among others guitar, piano, Mellotron, and keyboard.
Langer grew up in the town of Skive, Denmark. His parents are both teachers and share a love for music. At age three, he started learning the piano and he listened to his father's record collection. When he was 15, he dreamt of moving to New York and becoming a rock star. In high school, he was in a Rage Against the Machine cover band. After finishing high school, a local audition in Skive got him in touch with a talent scout who suggested him to move to Copenhagen and present his homemade demos there. He studied jazz piano at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, but eventually he just started writing music It was during this time he started playing guitar. Ultimately this landed him a record deal with Copenhagen Records. Langer debuted on March 20, 2006
in Denemark with Attention Please, an album containing potent pop rock songs. It was scheduled to be released a year earlier, but in post-production he connected so well with Søren Balsner of Carpark North that Langer requested his label to scrap the recordings and start over with Balsner as producer. Despite an intense media hype and good reviews, the album had limited success in Denmark. According to Langer, his record label is to blame for raising unrealistic expectations: "As it often happens, when something is overhyped, then the media just gives you the finger afterwards when it comes out. Because of course this record isn't a masterpiece, but I think it's a very good debut for a very young guy, but that's never where we came to because they had been told that it was a masterpiece from the record label. So the minute it came out, it flopped." The song "Breaking News" became a hit. The American spotter Sat Bisla picked up on him which enabled Langer to perform in Great Britain and Germany, to move to New York City and from there often travel back and forth to Los Angeles, where he among others played before record company executives. This media circus life was taxing on him at such a young age, he had grown tired of other people's visions on his career, questioned his talent and got homesick, so in 2007 he quit his rock star life and returned to Skive. Equipped with only a map and his guitar, he roamed through Europe like a troubadour, playing about 100 acoustic shows (other sources say about 60[6]) for gas money to fuel his c. 1987 Volkswagen Polo which he bought after his return. He lived off the money he collected by selling his CDs after each show. The tour helped him to find himself again and garnered him a growing fanbase. Later in 2007, he composed and conducted the Danish performance of Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Nørrebros Theater in Copenhagen starring Anders W. Berthelsen.
For his second studio album, Langer had written over 90 songs, of which he wrote "Say No More" together with Tim Christensen. He explains the cause of this large quantity as follows: "A minute doesn’t go by, not even a second, without a stream of new musical ideas or familiar phrases running through my head. My songs spring from that source." The record was eponymous because he felt this album made it clear in which direction he is headed in style and genre, whereas he felt the songs on his first album did not reflect him, but were what he thought others wanted from him. The album was released in Denmark on February 9, 2009. The critical reception was bland; critics judged that the music was more of the same and lacked a soul because it was too polished. He did score hits with "Wake Me Up in Time" and Fact-Fiction, a song he wrote in the United States in less than ten minutes and describes his confusion during that time. He started his tour as opening act for Tim Christensen and The Script before continuing his tour as main act. The songs "The River has Run Wild" and "Beauty of the Dark" have been used in the American television series The Vampire Diaries, On En Hyldest til Sebastian ("A Tribute to Sebastian"), released in October 2009, Langer covers the song "Stille Før Storm" ("Silence before the storm"). Sebastian originally wrote this song for Lis Sørensen, which led to her breakthrough.
Langer grew up in the town of Skive, Denmark. His parents are both teachers and share a love for music. At age three, he started learning the piano and he listened to his father's record collection. When he was 15, he dreamt of moving to New York and becoming a rock star. In high school, he was in a Rage Against the Machine cover band. After finishing high school, a local audition in Skive got him in touch with a talent scout who suggested him to move to Copenhagen and present his homemade demos there. He studied jazz piano at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, but eventually he just started writing music It was during this time he started playing guitar. Ultimately this landed him a record deal with Copenhagen Records. Langer debuted on March 20, 2006 in Denemark with Attention Please, an album containing potent pop rock songs. It was scheduled to be released a year earlier, but in post-production he connected so well with Søren Balsner of Carpark North that Langer requested his label to scrap the recordings and start over with Balsner as producer. Despite an intense media hype and good reviews, the album had limited success in Denmark. According to Langer, his record label is to blame for raising unrealistic expectations: "As it often happens, when something is overhyped, then the media just gives you the finger afterwards when it comes out. Because of course this record isn't a masterpiece, but I think it's a very good debut for a very young guy, but that's never where we came to because they had been told that it was a masterpiece from the record label. So the minute it came out, it flopped." The song "Breaking News" became a hit. The American spotter Sat Bisla picked up on him, which enabled Langer to perform in Great Britain and Germany, to move to New York City and from there often travel back and forth to Los Angeles, where he among others played before record company executives. This media circus life was taxing on him at such a young age, he had grown tired of other people's visions on his career, questioned his talent and got homesick, so in 2007 he quit his rock star life and returned to Skive. Equipped with only a map and his guitar, he roamed through Europe like a troubadour, playing about 100 acoustic shows (other sources say about 60) for gas money to fuel his c. 1987 Volkswagen Polo which he bought after his return. He lived off the money he collected by selling his CDs after each show. The tour helped him to find himself again and garnered him a growing fanbase. Later in 2007, he composed and conducted the Danish performance of Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Nørrebros Theater in Copenhagen starring Anders W. Berthelsen.
For his second studio album, Langer had written over 90 songs, of which he wrote "Say No More" together with Tim Christensen. He explains the cause of this large quantity as follows: "A minute doesn’t go by, not even a second, without a stream of new musical ideas or familiar phrases running through my head. My songs spring from that source." The record was eponymous because he felt this album made it clear in which direction he is headed in style and genre, whereas he felt the songs on his first album did not reflect him, but were what he thought others wanted from him. The album was released in Denmark on February 9, 2009. The critical reception was bland; critics judged that the music was more of the same and lacked a soul because it was too polished. He did score hits with "Wake Me Up in Time" and Fact-Fiction, a song he wrote in the United States in less than ten minutes and describes his confusion during that time. He started his tour as opening act for Tim Christensen and The Script before continuing his tour as main act. The songs "The River has Run Wild" and "Beauty of the Dark" have been used in the American television series The Vampire Diaries, On En Hyldest til Sebastian ("A Tribute to Sebastian"), released in October 2009, Langer covers the song "Stille Før Storm" ("Silence before the storm"). Sebastian originally wrote this song for Lis Sørensen, which led to her breakthrough.
In December 2010, Langer offered a free download of "The River has Run Wild" off this album to anyone who joined his mailing list. In March 2011, the single "Microscope" was offered to new subscribers instead. "Microscope" entered the Italian charts at #25. It was written in around 30 minutes and came out of nothing. It was intended to be a happy song, but turned melancholic as the lyrics were written. Langer has already explained the theme of some of the other songs. "Last Flower" was written in memory of a Danish fan who committed suicide. In her suicide note she requested Langer to play at her funeral, where he performed this song. "Death has Fallen in Love" is about stopping to realize that someone you love could die too. The idea for the song came about while Langer' girlfriend was brushing her teeth.
A song that has not made its way onto the album is "Bowie and Champagne", which refers to a girl he fooled around with when he was growing up, but who tried everything and ended up a drug addict. The original lyrics were written after Langer woke up from a dream and jotted a few lines down about Aerosmith and wine. At that time he thought they might just be the best lyrics in the world, but when he checked them over the following morning, he felt they were too cheesy but could be improved with some changes.
From May 11 through to 14, Langer will go on a mini-tour through Denmark.
www.madslanger.com.
Contact:
Sue Whitehouse:
sue@whitehousemanagement.com
Booking ( Europe except Denmark)
Adam Saunders: adam@xraytouring.com
Booking (Denmark)
Malte Erbs: mbe@PDH.DK
www.madslanger.com
www.youtube.com/user/madslanger24
www.facebook.com/pages/Mads-Langer/99879780312
www.myspace.com/madslanger
Riding Elevators
Mads Langer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm tired of going up and down
But sometimes it feels safer, waiting.
It's beautiful at the top
But I never really get a chance to stop
It feels like I am falling again
People come and go,
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
Everyone seems to have somewhere to go
I dream of going with them but I don't
I'm looking down always on every floor
But I never really find what I'm looking for
But I keep looking for you
Doors are opening, doors are closing,
People come and go,
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
If I get off and I could get lost
Or better, if you were there,
I wouldn't have to keep riding elevators
Doors are opening, doors are closing,
People come and go,
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators.
The song "Riding Elevators" by Mads Langer tells the story of a person who is constantly moving, going up and down on elevators, but never really finding what they are looking for. The lyrics describe the feeling of being lost and disconnected, always looking for someone or something to hold onto. The singer feels like they are falling, but they keep riding elevators, hoping to find something that will ground them.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of restlessness and longing. The singer is tired of going up and down and wishes they could put their feet on the ground. They describe the beauty of being at the top, but never really having a chance to stop and enjoy it. Instead, they are always moving, always riding elevators. The doors are constantly opening and closing, and people come and go, but the singer remains lost.
The central theme of the song seems to be the search for meaning and connection in a world that can be confusing and overwhelming. The singer dreams of finding someone to be with, someone who will help them feel less lost and disconnected. They long for something that will give their life purpose and direction. In the end, the song leaves us with a sense of hope - if the singer could find this person, they could finally get off the elevator and find their way.
Overall, "Riding Elevators" is a poignant and introspective song that speaks to the human condition. It reminds us that, no matter how lost we may feel at times, there is always hope for connection and meaning in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Waiting to put my feet on the ground
I am waiting to be stable and secure in my life.
I'm tired of going up and down
I am tired of the constantly changing nature of my life.
But sometimes it feels safer, waiting.
I am scared of what could happen if I take action and change my situation.
It's beautiful at the top
Success and achievement can be beautiful and fulfilling.
But I never really get a chance to stop
It feels like I have to keep striving for more and never get to truly enjoy my accomplishments.
It feels like I am falling again
My fear of failure is always looming, even when I am successful.
Doors are opening, doors are closing,
People come and go,
But I'm still riding elevators
My life is constantly changing and I am always experiencing new things, but I am still stuck in a pattern of uncertainty.
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
I feel like I am not grounded in any specific place or situation and I am constantly moving, but I am not making real progress.
Everyone seems to have somewhere to go
It feels like everyone else around me has direction and purpose, unlike me.
I dream of going with them but I don't
I have aspirations and desires, but I am too scared to act on them or don't know how to achieve them.
I'm looking down always on every floor
But I never really find what I'm looking for
But I keep looking for you
I am searching for something or someone that can give me a sense of purpose and direction, but I haven't found it yet.
If I get off and I could get lost
Or better, if you were there,
I wouldn't have to keep riding elevators
I am scared of what could happen if I take a risk and change my situation on my own, but if I had someone to support me, it would be different.
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
Despite my desire for stability and direction, I am still stuck in a pattern of uncertainty and change.
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators.
I am still searching for a sense of purpose and direction in my life, but I am unsure of how to achieve it.
Contributed by Chloe B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Octavio DiRienzo
Lyrics:
Waiting to put my feet on the ground*
I'm tired of going up and down
But sometimes it feels safer, waiting.
It's beautiful at the top
But I never really get a chance to stop
It feels like I am falling again
Doors are opening, doors are closing,
People come and go,
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
Everyone seems to have somewhere to go
I dream of going with them but I don't
I'm looking down always on every floor
But I never really find what I'm looking for
But I keep looking for you
Doors are opening, doors are closing,
People come and go,
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
If I get off and I could get lost
Or better, if you were there,
I wouldn't have to keep riding elevators
Doors are opening, doors are closing,
People come and go,
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
Celina Sguazzino
Waiting to put my feet on the ground
I'm tired of going up and down
But sometimes it feels safer, waiting.
It's beautiful at the top
But I never really get a chance to stop
It feels like I am falling again
Doors are opening, doors are closing,
People come and go,
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
Everyone seems to have somewhere to go
I dream of going with them but I don't
I'm looking down always on every floor
But I never really find what I'm looking for
But I keep looking for you
Doors are opening, doors are closing,
People come and go,
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
If I get off and I could get lost
Or better, if you were there,
I wouldn't have to keep riding elevators
Doors are opening, doors are closing,
People come and go,
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators.
Jir3nPilz3n
escuché esta canción hace ya muchos años y nunca ha dejado de gustarme, la dulce voz de Mads Langer me tranquiliza en momentos tristes 💙
Saludos desde Chile
Octavio DiRienzo
Lyrics:
Waiting to put my feet on the ground*
I'm tired of going up and down
But sometimes it feels safer, waiting.
It's beautiful at the top
But I never really get a chance to stop
It feels like I am falling again
Doors are opening, doors are closing,
People come and go,
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
Everyone seems to have somewhere to go
I dream of going with them but I don't
I'm looking down always on every floor
But I never really find what I'm looking for
But I keep looking for you
Doors are opening, doors are closing,
People come and go,
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
If I get off and I could get lost
Or better, if you were there,
I wouldn't have to keep riding elevators
Doors are opening, doors are closing,
People come and go,
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
Never here or there,
On the ground or in the air
People come and go
But I'm still riding elevators
gaelle gilles
if i had to describe this guy in one word, i wouldn't know what word to use to describe him. Every song i listen to from him makes me think in my mind that this guy is someone that i need to meet.
Charlie Gee
This is my favourite song of the last few years, extremely hypnotic. I am still riding elevators, I have been stuck on the same floor for a while a couple of times but I am still riding elevators!
Lisbeth Schrøder
Tænk at vi har sådan en talentfuld sanger i Danmark! Jeg kan ikke vente til at jeg skal høre dig live :)
Breaking Flowers
One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Moreover I think it's beautiful how the video goes perfectly with the words. Chapeau Mads, from Italy!
Ale Lui
Davvero una canzone stupenda. Non sempre mi piacciono canzoni di questo genere musicale, ma questa è davvero bella! Strano che sia molto meno conosciuta di You're not alone...questa è anche migliore! I love mads langer <3
Cassius
Heard this song for the first time on BBC Radio 2 the other day and I just had to look it up as soon as it was finished. This is a beautiful song and yet so sad :c I'll def be looking up more of your work! Love from the UK xx
Ida Grebjerg
Jeg forstår ikke at han ikke er mere kendt for hans FANTASTISKE talent! ;)
Jane
I love this song ! The lyrics are beautiful ! <3