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.
Goodnight
Sondre Lerche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I only wish I was there, not trapped upon this bunk
Hurry, and to God-knows where
In a land far, far away; in a low-budget production
I make up stories of you
In seduction, you may want to add a thing or two between the lines
Tell me all about it and I'll try to make the words jump off the pages at any time
For the lack of better words, I'll choose them carefully
and say 'I bet you're quite a sight'
I can't pretend I don't care, I'm not the jealous kind
But I can't imagine and stare, watchin your daylight fly by
Or topping my darkest confessions, reading the things I write
? just questions, you may want to add a thing or two between the lines
Tell me all about it and I'll try to make the words spill from your pages everytime
Girl, I could be doing this all day
But the lack of flesh and blood beneath the words leaves me inane
Is it a drug or a word, maybe just a nice piece of fiction?
Won't I ever cease to obsess over this universal addiction?
In a word you're all that I want, oh, you're the only prescription
But nothing here seems to match
Your description, you may want to add a thing or two between the lines
Tell me all about it and I'll try to make the words jump off the pages all the time
Strange abbreviations can prevent my serenading you in message number nine
I'll try to make the sentence last all day
And for lack of better words, I'll choose them carefully and say
'Goodnight'
The song "Goodnight" by Sondre Lerche is a heartfelt exploration of longing and distance. The lyrics depict the singer's intense desire for someone who is far away, and his attempts to connect with them through writing and storytelling. He expresses his admiration for the person's drunken state, wishing he could be there with them instead of being trapped on his bunk. He fantasizes about the person and makes up stories about them, hoping to bring their words to life through his writing. But ultimately, he realizes that his words are not enough to bridge the distance between them. He acknowledges the limitations of the written word and the emptiness that comes with its inability to replace the flesh and blood presence of a loved one.
The song showcases Lerche's talent for creating poetic and poignant lyrics that capture universal emotions. His use of evocative imagery and metaphors adds depth to the lyrics and allows listeners to relate to the feelings of longing and isolation conveyed in the song. The gentle melody and soft instrumentation also contribute to the song's emotional impact, creating a sense of intimacy and vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
Good day, I like you when you're drunk
I enjoy your company when you are under the influence, and it makes me wish I was with you instead of being stuck somewhere else.
I only wish I was there, not trapped upon this bunk
I wish I was with you instead of being confined to this uncomfortable bed/position.
Hurry, and to God-knows where
You are rushing off somewhere, and I'm not sure where you are going or what you are doing.
In a land far, far away; in a low-budget production
You are somewhere distant, and the context seems less than ideal or glamorous.
I make up stories of you
I create fictional scenarios involving you and imagine different plots and outcomes.
In seduction, you may want to add a thing or two between the lines
If you were to engage in seduction, perhaps you could include some subtle hints or insinuations.
Tell me all about it and I'll try to make the words jump off the pages at any time
Share your thoughts and fantasies with me, and I'll do my best to make them come alive in my writing or storytelling.
Lost in correspondences all day
I spend much of my day consumed by writing or messaging back and forth with you.
For the lack of better words, I'll choose them carefully and say 'I bet you're quite a sight'
I don't have the perfect phrasing, but I want to express that you are likely stunning or impressive in some way.
I can't pretend I don't care, I'm not the jealous kind
I can't convincingly act as though I don't have feelings for you, but I'm not prone to envy or suspicion in relationships.
But I can't imagine and stare, watchin your daylight fly by
I can't bear to imagine you spending your time with someone else while I'm not there to witness it.
Or topping my darkest confessions, reading the things I write
Even my most personal and vulnerable thoughts don't compare to the excitement and mystery of discovering more about you through your messages.
? just questions, you may want to add a thing or two between the lines
I still have some unanswered inquiries, so feel free to provide further details or hints in your responses.
Tell me all about it and I'll try to make the words spill from your pages everytime
Share as much as you are comfortable with, and I'll strive to create vivid, impactful imagery and narrative from your words.
Girl, I could be doing this all day
This process of communication and imaginative writing could occupy my mind and attention indefinitely.
But the lack of flesh and blood beneath the words leaves me inane
Despite the depth and passion of my feelings for you, the absence of physical intimacy makes me feel uninspired or disconnected.
Is it a drug or a word, maybe just a nice piece of fiction?
I'm unsure whether this obsession with you is genuinely healthy, if it's all in my head, or if it's simply a pleasurable distraction.
Won't I ever cease to obsess over this universal addiction?
I wonder if I'll ever be able to shake this all-consuming infatuation and focus on other aspects of my life.
In a word you're all that I want, oh, you're the only prescription
To distill it down to a single word, you are the only thing I truly desire or need, like a necessary medication.
But nothing here seems to match
Everything around me seems dull or uninteresting in comparison to thoughts of you.
Your description, you may want to add a thing or two between the lines
As lovely as my mental image of you is, it's possible that there are additional details or qualities about you that I am not aware of.
Tell me all about it and I'll try to make the words jump off the pages all the time
Provide further insight or clarifications, and I'll endeavor to make my writing even more captivating and impactful.
Strange abbreviations can prevent my serenading you in message number nine
The use of unfamiliar shorthand or abbreviations can hinder my ability to fully express myself or create artful language in response.
I'll try to make the sentence last all day
I'll stretch my sentences and my conversation with you out as long as possible, relishing every moment of it.
And for lack of better words, I'll choose them carefully and say 'Goodnight'
I don't have any further grand declarations or passionate prose to offer, so I'll settle for bidding you farewell for the time being.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SONDRE LERCHE VAULAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind