Brundtland and Berge were schoolmates in their hometown Tromsø, experimenting with electronic instruments in the early 90s and being a part of their city's techno scene. As they grew up in northern Norway, they listened to local artists like Bel Canto and Biosphere. The band has also expressed their interest in the music of Kraftwerk, Brian Eno, Giorgio Moroder, Art of Noise, Vangelis, Erik Satie, and Francis Lai. They were members of various electro acts in their youth, such as Alanïa, Drum Island and Aedena Cycle. After recording as part of Aedena Cycle, Berge and Brundtland left the group to form their own band, Röyksopp.
In 8 October 2001, Röyksopp released their debut album Melody A.M. on Wall of Sound label. This critically acclaimed downtempo album reached #1 in Norway charts, #9 in UK Albums Chart, #18 in US Top Electronic Albums. Melody A.M. spawned five singles: "So Easy" (released in 1999, re-released in 2002), "Eple" (released in July 2001, re-released in 24 February 2003; #16 UK), "Poor Leno", featuring Erlend Øye (released in 3 December 2001, re-released on 18 November 2002; #38 UK), "Remind Me", featuring Erlend Øye (5 August 2002; #21 UK), and "Sparks", featuring Anneli Drecker (2003; #41 UK).
The band became famous for their original music videos (the infographic-styled video by French company H5 for the track "Remind Me", won the 2002 MTV Europe Music Award for best music video). The single "Eple" (meaning "apple") was used by Apple Inc. as the music for the startup video for Mac OS X 10.3.
In 4 July 2005, the band issued their sophomore album The Understanding on Wall of Sound. The album was preceded by the hit single "Only This Moment", featuring Kate Havnevik (27 June 2005; #33 UK). Another four singles followed: "49 Percent" (26 September 2005; #55 UK), "Curves" (non-album single; 3 October 2005), "What Else Is There?", featuring Karin Dreijer of The Knife (5 December 2005; #4 Norway, #32 UK) and "Beautiful Day Without You" (26 June 2006).
Röyksopp's Night Out EP was released in 27 February 2006 and it contains live recordings from a concert in Norway, Rockefeller (Oslo) in November 2005. The album contains a new dance version of their single "Sparks" and a reinterpretation of the song "Go With the Flow”, originally by Queens of the Stone Age. In 5 March 2007, the group issued Back to Mine: Röyksopp, a compilation album from the Back to Mine series, compiled and mixed by the band.
On 23 March 2009, Röyksopp released their third album Junior on Wall of Sound. Röyksopp have invited several guest artists, like Robyn, Anneli Drecker, Karin Dreijer, Lykke Li, to perform on various songs from Junior. The first single "Happy Up Here" was released on 19 January 2009 (digital)/16 March 2009 (vinyl) and peaked on #3 in Norway and on #44 in UK. Another two singles supported the album' sales: "The Girl And The Robot", featuring Robyn (15 June 2009; #2 Norway) and "This Must Be It", featuring Karin Dreijer (2 November 2009).
Since 2010, the band started posting on their official site new exclusive songs available for free download (usually a song every month), known as Röyksopp.com Track Of The Month.
In 13 September 2010, Röyksopp released the fourth album Senior, the atmospheric counterpart of Junior. The first single from the album, "The Drug", was released on 9 August 2010.
Official site: http://www.royksopp.com
Compulsion
Röyksopp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never thought that I could change
Until you woke me with your touch
And now they see it in my eyes
You're the craving of my life
I want you more than words could say
You're in my head
You touch my skin, you keep me warm
Bring me closer to the sun
You're the reason, my desire
I feel serenity in all
Heavy waves of gentle love
Soothing whispers from the stars
Oh, in my dreams...
...in my dreams...
Such a singleminded lust
To be there once is not enough
You change your point of view once stung
And this is where I want to be
No anxiety or fear
A quiet moment in your arms
If you could see just what I've seen...
If you could see just what I've seen...
If you could see just what I've seen...
If you could see just what I've seen
Would you believe?
The lyrics to Röyksopp feat. Jamie McDermott's song Compulsion depict the singer's newfound obsession with someone who has brought a significant change to their life. The opening lines confess the singer's surprise at transforming and their desire caused by this person's touch. The singer acknowledges that their infatuation is evident in their eyes, and the person they lust after seems to be the purpose of their existence.
As the song progresses, the impact of this person intensifies as they touch the singer's skin and make them feel the warmth of the sun. This lover appears to be the reason for their strong yearning, and they find peace in their love. The waves of gentle love and whispers from the stars soothe the singer, which they experience in their dreams. The climax of the song emphasizes this person's significance, as the singer discovers a desire to be in their arms.
Overall, the song Compulsion represents the agony of addictive love and how it can transform and shape a person's life.
Line by Line Meaning
I never meant to be this way
I did not intend to become who I am now.
Never thought that I could change
I did not believe that I could transform myself.
Until you woke me with your touch
I did not experience transformation until you touched me.
And now they see it in my eyes
People can notice the changes in me through my eyes.
You're the craving of my life
You are the strongest desire of my existence.
I want you more than words could say
I desire you beyond what my words can express.
You're in my head
You occupy my thoughts entirely.
You touch my skin, you keep me warm
Your touch feels warm and soothing to me.
Bring me closer to the sun
Your touch elevates me and makes me feel like I am closer to the sun.
You're the reason, my desire
You are the cause of my intense craving.
I feel serenity in all
I experience a profound sense of peace and calm.
Heavy waves of gentle love
I feel a strong and tender love washing over me.
Soothing whispers from the stars
I hear comforting whispers from the stars above.
Oh, in my dreams...
In my dreams, I find solace and comfort.
...in my dreams...
My dreams are a refuge and safe haven.
Such a singleminded lust
My desire for you is focused and intense.
To be there once is not enough
Being with you just once is not satisfying for me.
You change your point of view once stung
After being hurt, you can change your perspective on things.
And this is where I want to be
Being with you is the place where I want to stay.
No anxiety or fear
When I am with you, I feel no anxiety or fear.
A quiet moment in your arms
I cherish peaceful moments in your loving embrace.
If you could see just what I've seen...
If you could experience what I have experienced...
If you could see just what I've seen...
If you could see what I have seen...
If you could see just what I've seen...
If you could understand my perspective...
If you could see just what I've seen
If I could make you understand...
Would you believe?
Would you trust me?
Contributed by Carson P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Roiy Benkel
I never meant to be this way
Never thought that I could change
Untl you woke me with your touch
And now they see it in my eyes
You're the craving of my life
Want you more than words can say
You're in my head
In my head
You touch my skin, you keep me warm
Bring me closer to the sun
You're the reason, my desire
I feel serenity in all
Heavy waves of gentle love
Soothing whispers from the stars
Oh, in my dreams
In my dreams
Such a singleminded lust
To be there once is not enough
You change your point of view once stung
This is where I want to be
No anxiety or fear
A quiet moment in your arms
If you could see just what I've seen
If you could see just what I've seen
If you could see just what I've seen
If you could see what I have seen
Would you believe
313onelove
Goosebumps from start to finish
David Williamson
One of the best Royksopp have ever done. The way it builds up and slows down. If you could see just what I see, will you believe ?
Arnaud Sibille
It's the best song about drug use I have ever heard. Some verses are just terrible: "You change your point of view once stung", "Heavy waves of gentle love", "I never meant to be this way". It's painfully accurate but it gives us few unfortunates out there something beautiful to relate to. It's a lifesaving song to those who are afflicted by what the song deals with.
So, thank you, Röyksopp. <3
House of Cars
I L U
Oscar Vidal
Imposible to describe with words... what a song..
colonia1901
Amazing Stuff !!👌
Justa Car
Magiczny utwór
Liliana Padilla
I like how this song has a deep sound 🎵🎶😍
adidzis
yes, these musical vibrant bass part especially
Hum Dae
THEIR BEST SONG IN THE ALBUM !