Born in Bergen, Hordaland, Norway, the young Lerche was heavily influenced by the 80's music emanating from his older siblings' rooms. Compelled by a defining fascination for bands such as a-ha, The Beach Boys, and Prefab Sprout, Lerche began formal guitar instruction at age eight. Not satisfied with the lessons at school, Lerche experimented with original tunes on his own accord, eventually penning his first song, "Locust Girl" at the age of fourteen. While still underage, Lerche held acoustic performances at the club where his sister worked; Lerche was eventually discovered by Norwegian producer Hans-Petter "HP" Gundersen.
While under Gundersen's mentorship, Lerche was exposed to diverse music genres, including psychedelia, 60's pop, and mainstream Brazilian music, broadening his appreciation for eclectic music styles. Around this time Lerche was also introduced to Oslo-based manager Tatiana Penzo, resulting in a recording contract with Virgin Norway. With steadily growing popularity in his home country, he recorded his debut album in 2000. The album's release was postponed until Lerche fulfilled several academic requirements; in the interim, he was named Best New Act at Spellemannprisen (the Norwegian equivalent of the Grammys) and performed locally as a support act for major acts such as Beth Orton.
Officially released in Norway during September of 2001, Lerche's debut album Faces Down was a chart success in Norway. 2002 saw the album's international release, garnering praise from international publications and critics; Rolling Stone placed it in their top 50 albums of 2002. He embarked on subsequent tours in Europe and the United States. Lerche toured with various acts, including a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share the stage with his long-time idols, a-ha. A studio/live compilation EP, Don't Be Shallow, was released in 2003. During the same year, he would have the opportunity to tour with another of his musical idols, Elvis Costello, with whom he would tour once more in 2005.
Lerche's second studio album, Two Way Monologue, was released in 2004. The album displayed Lerche's penchant for experimentation with eclectic styles to an even greater extent than his earlier works, its content ranging from upbeat pop songs to mellow, melancholic tunes. In 2006, Lerche released his third studio album, Duper Sessions. A classical jazz album featuring original songs, as well as a cover of the jazz standard "Night and Day", it was recorded by Lerche and the Faces Down, augmented by pianist Erik Halvorsen, at Duper Studios in Bergen, hence its name.
In 2007, Phantom Punch, a rock album with a distinctly more aggressive sound than his earlier works, was released. Lerche and the Faces Down recorded and mixed the album in Los Angeles in April and May 2006, with producer Tony Hoffer. The same year, he composed the musical score for the film Dan in Real Life. Lerche and the Faces Down also made an appearance in the film itself, performing the song "Modern Nature" as a duet with actress Marci Occhino (the actual vocals were performed by Lillian Samdal). Another song of Lerche's, "Dear Laughing Doubters", was featured in the film Dinner for Schmucks; both films starred actor Steve Carell.
In 2009, Sondre Lerche released Heartbeat Radio. 2011 saw the release of his self-titled sixth studio album, Sondre Lerche.
Counter Spark
Sondre Lerche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You saw the light when it was on
You never turned or looked away
Your eyes were focused, mine were grey
Your sentences were concentrated
You made your points so understated
Where I would mumble, you would say
I made up conversations with my symbolic language
Saying everybody wants to be like you
But I'd rather fall in love with you
You got the picture from the start
You saw right through me in the dark
You saw that I couldn't behave
With eyes so focused, yet so frail
I chose you from a million
You were the choice of billions
Wishing they would try to be like you
But I'd rather fall in love with you
Ba-ba-ba baa-ba...
You questioned men and called them whores
But you would never burn your bra
You held your head up in the rain
Your eyes were focused, mine were grey
You had relationships that worked
And yet experience with jerks
So well adjusted, but with charm
Your eyes were focused and yet calm
I'm fairly realistic
But my thought are out of lip-sync
When I say that I'm not one of those
Who pass you by and fall in love with you
Who pass you by and fall in love with you
Who pass you by and fall in love with you
I'll pass you by and fall in love with you
Ba-ba-ba baa-ba...
The lyrics of Sondre Lerche's song Counter Spark describe the admiration and love that the singer feels towards a person with a strong sense of self-awareness, confidence, and focus. The contrast between the two characters is highlighted throughout the song: while the singer feels lost and insecure (their "eyes were grey"), the subject of their love is portrayed as a person with unshakable conviction and control over their own life.
The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and metaphors, such as "You saw the light when it was on" or "You held your head up in the rain". They also depict the singer's unrealized desire to be like the person they love, and the frustration that comes with it: "Saying everybody wants to be like you, but I'd rather fall in love with you". The final lines of the song "I'll pass you by and fall in love with you" could be interpreted as the singer's resignation to the fact that they might never have a chance with the person they admire, but that they will continue to love them anyway.
Overall, the lyrics of Counter Spark are a poignant exploration of the complexities of love, self-perception, and admiration.
Line by Line Meaning
You could be sad but never torn
You have the ability to be sad without being overtaken by it.
You saw the light when it was on
You recognize opportunity and take advantage of it.
You never turned or looked away
You confront difficult situations head on and don't shy away from them.
Your eyes were focused, mine were grey
You have a clear vision and purpose in life, while I feel lost and unsure.
Your sentences were concentrated
You speak with clarity and purpose, choosing your words carefully.
You made your points so understated
You don't need to speak loudly to make an impact - your words speak for themselves.
Where I would mumble, you would say
I struggle to communicate clearly, while you have a gift for it.
I made up conversations with my symbolic language
In my head, I have conversations with you using symbolic and indirect language.
Saying everybody wants to be like you
I imagine that everyone admires you and wants to be like you.
But I'd rather fall in love with you
Despite your admirable qualities, what I truly want is to be in a romantic relationship with you.
You got the picture from the start
You understood who I was from the beginning.
You saw right through me in the dark
You saw my true self, even when I was trying to hide it.
You saw that I couldn't behave
You recognized my flaws and mistakes in my behavior.
With eyes so focused, yet so frail
Despite your clarity of vision, you still have weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
I chose you from a million
Out of many people, I selected you as the one I admire and want to be with.
You were the choice of billions
You are someone who is admired and respected by many people around the world.
Wishing they would try to be like you
Others aspire to be like you, but I want to be with you in a romantic relationship.
You questioned men and called them whores
You challenge traditional gender roles and aren't afraid to speak your mind about them.
But you would never burn your bra
While you may push against gender norms, you won't resort to extreme or harmful measures.
You held your head up in the rain
You persevere through difficult times with strength and dignity.
You had relationships that worked
You have a history of healthy, successful relationships.
And yet experience with jerks
You've also dealt with difficult and toxic people in your past relationships.
So well adjusted, but with charm
You are emotionally mature and well-adjusted, but also have a charming and appealing personality.
I'm fairly realistic
I consider myself to be grounded and practical in my thinking.
But my thought are out of lip-sync
Despite my efforts to be realistic, my thoughts are at odds with each other and don't align well.
When I say that I'm not one of those
I want to make it clear that I'm not like other people who might admire you for the wrong reasons.
Who pass you by and fall in love with you
People who only see the surface-level qualities in you and don't truly understand you.
I'll pass you by and fall in love with you
I will take the time to truly know you and fall in love with the real you.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: SONDRE LERCHE VAULAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rio Kayo Arno
You could be sad but never torn
You saw the light when it was on
You never turned or looked away
Your eyes were focused, mine were grey
Your sentences were concentrated
You made your points so understated
Where I would mumble, you would say
Your eyes were focused, mine were grey
I made up conversations with my symbolic language
Saying everybody wants to be like you
But I'd rather fall in love with you
You got the picture from the start
You saw right through me in the dark
You saw that I couldn't behave
With eyes so focused, yet so frail
I chose you from a million
You were the choice of billions
Wishing they would try to be like you
But I'd rather fall in love with you
Ba-ba-ba baa-ba...
You questioned men and called them whores
But you would never burn your bra
You held your head up in the rain
Your eyes were focused, mine were grey
You had relationships that worked
And yet experience with jerks
So well adjusted, but with charm
Your eyes were focused and yet calm
I'm fairly realistic
But my thought are out of lip-sync
When I say that I'm not one of those
Who pass you by and fall in love with you
Who pass you by and fall in love with you
Who pass you by and fall in love with you
I'll pass you by and fall in love with you
Ba-ba-ba baa-ba-baa
Charlotte Jones
<3
pandiimore2
come to Mexico, Sondre!
Luis Angel Valdepeña
He never comes to Mexico, @pandiimore2 :(
pandiimore2
:)