Reeperbahn is a punk and power pop influenced rock band from Sweden. They r… Read Full Bio ↴Reeperbahn is a punk and power pop influenced rock band from Sweden. They released a self-titled LP in 1979, which featured the locally successful single "Havet ligger blankt" (English: "The Empty Sea") that became their signature song. Later singles and albums proved unable to match the initial appeal, but the group has maintained a loyal fan base; they have continued to play to audiences into the 2010s. They have garnered some international attention after their aforementioned single was featured in the multi-artist musical collection 'Shake Some Action', cited as an example as great non-Anglo-American power pop.

Havet ligger blankt
Reeperbahn Lyrics

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Springer hit, springer dit, tycks fцrlora alla jobb
Sliter ut sin unga kropp, дter bara nеgon gеng ibland
Alla vill honom vдl, men goda rеd sдljs alltid dyrt
Han дr missfцrstеd men tycker det дr skцnt
Hans mor rдknade med hans blygsamma natur
Att vara nцjd med sin lott och vara tacksam fцr resten av sitt liv
Men han vill ha sitt liv som smе nеlar I sitt brцst

Sе havet ligger blankt, havet ligger blankt
Havet ligger blankt och stormen rasar

Sе havet ligger blankt, havet ligger blankt
Havet ligger blankt och gцmmer en skatt

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Reeperbahn's song "Havet ligger blankt" depict the struggles and complexities of a young man's life. He jumps from job to job and his body is constantly worn out. Despite being loved by everyone, he believes that good advice always comes at a high cost. He is misunderstood, but he finds it liberating. His mother raised him to be content with what he has and to be grateful for the rest of his life. However, he longs for a life full of excitement and adventure.

The chorus of the song, "Sе havet ligger blankt, havet ligger blankt, Havet ligger blankt och stormen rasar," translates to "The sea lies calm, the sea lies calm, The sea lies calm while the storm rages." The juxtaposition between the calmness of the sea and the raging storm represents the young man's inner turmoil. The sea in this context also represents the unknown, which he is attracted to despite its potential dangers.

Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the struggles and desires of a young adult, who longs for more but is uncertain of what lies ahead. It is a reminder that everyone has their own journey and that it is important to follow your dreams, even if they may lead you towards uncertain waters.

Line by Line Meaning

Springer hit, springer dit, tycks fцrlora alla jobb
He moves around a lot, seems to keep losing jobs

Sliter ut sin unga kropp, дter bara nеgon gеng ibland
He exhausts his young body and only eats occasionally

Alla vill honom vдl, men goda rеd sдljs alltid dyrt
Everyone cares about him but good advice is always expensive

Han дr missfцrstеd men tycker det дr skцnt
He is misunderstood but finds it comfortable

Hans mor rдknade med hans blygsamma natur
His mother expected him to be modest by nature

Att vara nцjd med sin lott och vara tacksam fцr resten av sitt liv
To be content with what he has and be grateful for the rest of his life

Men han vill ha sitt liv som smе nеlar I sitt brцst
But he wants his life to be like small needles in his chest

Sе havet ligger blankt, havet ligger blankt
So the sea lies calm, the sea lies calm

Havet ligger blankt och stormen rasar
The sea lies calm while the storm rages

Sе havet ligger blankt, havet ligger blankt
So the sea lies calm, the sea lies calm

Havet ligger blankt och gцmmer en skatt
The sea lies calm and hides a treasure