Gundersen's music banks on strong lead vocals, boasting a poetic and lyrical charm, backed by ambient backgrounds of strings and percussion. Gundersen's music has been called a blend of melancholy folk and electric euphoria, occasionally drawing comparisons to the likes of Elijah Wyman, David Wilcox, and Damien Rice. Drawing the attention of crowds across the South Puget Sound region, Noah Gundersen regularly performs in a variety of settings, ranging from small college basements to more prestigious venues such as the Triple Door, the Crocodile Cafe, and the Columbia City Theater.
Gundersen and his younger sister usually create studio work on their own - together they have produced two EPs, a live album, and most recently two full length albums:
• Brand New World EP (Noah Gundersen) - 2008
• Live at The Triple Door (Noah Gundersen & The Courage) - 2008
• Saints & Liars EP (Noah Gundersen & The Courage) - Oct. 9, 2009
• Fearful Bones (The Courage) - Sept. 11, 2010
• Family (Noah Gundersen) - Aug. 6, 2011
Official site: noahgundersenmusic.com/
The Sound
Noah Gundersen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you were in it just a memory of a kid
Just a washed out finish
Just a pain-in-the-ass Johnny
Cash middle finger
No shooting up drugs, no quitter is a winner
Nothing ever comes like it did
Keeping nothing for yourself like
A stone cold killer
Now you're passing your people like
A ship in the night
Looking to every stranger for a fight
Nothing ever comes, ever comes if you call it
Choking like a dog, like a dog on a collar
Open up your mouth, your mouth if you want it
Listen for the sound, the sound
The sound is coming down
Hoping that you like
That you like how you're living
Relying on the kindness of strangers
That you will be forgiven how many times
How many times will you shit
On what you're given? How many times
How many times 'til you shut up and listen?
Nothing ever comes, ever comes if you call it
Choking like a dog, like a dog on a collar
Open up your mouth, your mouth if you want it
Listen for the sound, the sound
The sound is coming down
Nothing ever comes, ever comes
Choking like a dog, like a dog
Open up your mouth
Listen for the sound, the sound
The sound is coming down
Nothing ever comes, ever comes if you call it
Choking like a dog, like a dog on a collar
Open up your mouth if you want it
Listen for the sound, the sound
The sound is coming down
In "The Sound" by Noah Gundersen, the lyrics explore the theme of disillusionment and the desire for a more meaningful existence. The song reflects on how life never lives up to our expectations and how the innocence and simplicity of childhood are lost as we grow older.
The opening lines, "Nothing ever comes like it did when you were in it, just a memory of a kid," suggest a longing for the past when life seemed more vibrant and full of possibility. As we age, the excitement and freshness of experiences tend to fade away. The reference to Johnny Cash's iconic middle finger gestures implies a rebellious attitude and a refusal to conform to societal expectations.
The following lines, "No shooting up drugs, no quitter is a winner," convey a sense of defiance against self-destructive behaviors and the importance of perseverance in life. It suggests that the singer has chosen a different path, one that rejects escapism and embraces determination to overcome challenges.
The chorus, "Nothing ever comes, ever comes if you call it, choking like a dog on a collar, open up your mouth if you want it, listen for the sound, the sound, the sound is coming down," highlights the frustration of feeling stuck and unfulfilled. It suggests that opportunities and fulfillment won't come to fruition unless one actively seeks them. The imagery of choking like a dog on a collar represents feeling constricted and suffocated by a life that lacks authenticity and purpose. However, the lyrics encourage the listener to open their mouth and listen for something more meaningful, indicating that change is possible.
The verse, "Hoping that you like how you're living, relying on the kindness of strangers, that you will be forgiven how many times, how many times will you shit on what you're given, how many times 'til you shut up and listen?" expresses the need for self-reflection and taking responsibility for one's actions. It questions the singer's own choices and the consequences of relying on others for validation. The lyrics suggest that true contentment comes from within and that it is necessary to stop disregarding the opportunities and potential that life presents.
Overall, "The Sound" speaks to the struggle of finding meaning and fulfillment in life, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and actively seeking change. It conveys a message of personal accountability and the need to break free from societal constraints in order to live a more authentic existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing ever comes like it did
Things never turn out the way they used to
When you were in it just a memory of a kid
When you were involved, it felt like a distant memory of your youth
Just a washed out finish
Just a faded and unsuccessful ending
Just a pain-in-the-ass Johnny
Just a troublesome and annoying individual like Johnny
Cash middle finger
Defiantly expressing disregard, like the gesture made by Johnny Cash
No shooting up drugs, no quitter is a winner
Refusing to rely on drugs; showing that quitting is not a form of success
Keeping nothing for yourself like a stone cold killer
Not preserving anything for oneself, exhibiting a detached and ruthless attitude
Now you're passing your people like a ship in the night
Now you're drifting past your loved ones without truly connecting, just like a ship passing by in the dark
Looking to every stranger for a fight
Seeking confrontation and conflict with every unfamiliar person
Hoping that you like how you're living
Desiring that you are satisfied with your current lifestyle
Relying on the kindness of strangers
Dependent on the generosity of people you don't know
That you will be forgiven how many times
Believing that you will be pardoned regardless of how many mistakes you make
How many times will you shit on what you're given?
How many times will you disrespect or disregard the opportunities or gifts provided to you?
How many times 'til you shut up and listen?
How many more instances do you need to be told to stop talking and start paying attention?
Choking like a dog, like a dog on a collar
Feeling suffocated and restricted, like a dog being choked by its collar
Open up your mouth, your mouth if you want it
Express your desires and aspirations openly if you truly want them
Listen for the sound, the sound
Pay attention for the significant indication or message
The sound is coming down
The important revelation or realization is approaching
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Noah Gundersen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@popeyedave8253
Nothing ever comes like it did when you were in it
Just a memory of a kid, just a washed out finish
Just a pain-in-the-ass Johnny Cash middle finger
No shooting up drugs, no quitter is a winner
Nothing ever comes like it did when you were in it
Keeping nothing for yourself like a stone cold killer
Now you're passing your people like a ship in the night
Looking to every stranger for a fight
Nothing ever comes, ever comes if you call it
Choking like a dog, like a dog on a collar
Open up your mouth, your mouth if you want it
Listen for the sound, the sound, the sound is coming down
Hoping that you like, that you like how you're living
Relying on the kindness of strangers that you will be forgiven
How many times, how many times will you shit on what you're given?
How many times, how many times 'til you shut up and listen?
Nothing ever comes, ever comes if you call it
Choking like a dog, like a dog on a collar
Open up your mouth, your mouth if you want it
Listen for the sound, the sound, the sound is coming down
Nothing ever comes, ever comes
Choking like a dog, like a dog
Open up your mouth
Listen for the sound, the sound, the sound is coming down
Nothing ever comes, ever comes if you call it
Choking like a dog, like a dog on a collar
Open up your mouth if you want it
Listen for the sound, the sound, the sound is coming down
@jasonmiradoli8900
Why have I not heard of this guy until Phoebe Bridgers' duet/medley with him of "Killer/The Sound". Ok, I'm a 51-year-old father of 3 adult kids, not Noah's target demographic, but this guy should be huge. His emotional build up reminds me of Silversun Pickups, yet his acoustic guitar, piano, and violins work with his lyrics on an even more emotional level. He should be a name everyone knows.
@vermaledeit1799
how cool u also like silversun pickups!!! I'm so into them, too<3
@LazyIRanch
I'm 60, and just heard this for the first time. Excuse me for a sec, I need to pick my jaw off the floor and wait for my pulse to return to normal. I have never heard of him before today, but I think I'm about to happily dive down into a new rabbithole of musical discovery!
This kind of reminds me of the first time I heard the band U2 so many years ago. So many emotions this is stirring up for me.
I guess I don't fit that demographic either, but since I love music spanning a couple of centuries and still love hearing new artists I'm not sure what demographic I fit into. I get annoyed at most of my peers who only listen to bands they liked in high school, and constantly claim that "there's no good music being made today". I try to suggest the ones I like such as Michael Kiwanuka, The Black Pumas, or Nathaniel Rateliff who (IMO) have sounds reminiscent of music we loved as teens, but with a new fresh appeal but they won't even give them a try.
@eliraine6900
Pretty much what I would say, save that I am 46 and I have one kid who is still a kid...
But, yeah, why the hell isn't this guy huge!?
Excellent song-craft and performance.
@pakito8i8
Because you didn't watched Sons of Anarchy! Surely!
@JohnDoe-rn6pz
In one respect, I’m glad he is not huge because he’s too good for mass consumption this is what real music is all about. at its finest.
@jamesworshammusic8714
Sat down and listened to Noah's music for the first time recently after hearing his name for years, and I feel like my favorite songwriter has just been here all along, waiting for me to finally look and listen.
@tb4326
This song always moves me and gets my brain thinking. Truly underrated and needs to be given a bigger stage. The production of this song is also so well done. Every tone, beat, you name it, it's so well thought out. Just an amazing and brilliant song.
@acolour
It is EPIC, to me its a cross of The Killers and The National or something like that, but yes, it's exceptionally well done and such a banger!
@tikinhodetudovemrirouenlou2115
Conheci hoje essa banda na canal286 e me apaixonei, já quero tudo deles. 😍😍😍😍 São foda