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.
It's Our Job
Sondre Lerche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Words came easy as the seemed
And as conversations go
I let this one go off enough
Tonight I'll just sit here on my back
When you're applauding your fine mind
Darker corners come to shine
The filters that I use
What I've forgotten.is now forgotten
What I've forgotten.is now forgotten
But I think you're in my soul
And it warms me to know
that you'll still be in charge of the heart's content
It's our job
It's our job to breathe
Yes it warms me to know
that I'll still be in charge of your heart's content
It's our job
It's our job to breathe
In Sondre Lerche's song "It's Our Job," the lyricist describes a moment of creative inspiration and the ways in which he allows certain conversations and thoughts to slip away in order to focus on the ones that matter most. The imagery of a stream suggests the flow of ideas and the ease with which language comes when in the right state of mind. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that there is another person who is also important to the singer. The line "But I think you're in my soul" suggests a deep connection to someone that goes beyond simply creative energy.
As the song progresses, there is a shift in focus from individual creation to shared experience. The repetition of the line "It's our job to breathe" drives home the idea that life and love are things that must be actively worked on and maintained. The singer acknowledges that they will each have control over the other's hearts, but it is their collective responsibility to ensure that they continue to thrive.
Overall, the song is a meditation on the power of creation and the importance of human connection. The opening verse deals with the individual process of creating, while the later verses emphasize the need for partnership and shared responsibility.
Line by Line Meaning
I was floating on a stream
I was in a state of ease and comfort
Words came easy as they seemed
I found it effortless to express myself
And as conversations go, I let this one go off enough
I allowed the conversation to drift away
Tonight I'll just sit here on my back
I will simply relax and not take any action
When you're applauding your fine mind
When you're feeling proud of your intelligence
Darker corners come to shine
Negative aspects of your personality become more apparent
The quality control I run
The standards I hold myself to
The filters that I use
The limitations I place on myself
What I've forgotten is now forgotten
Things I have forgotten are no longer a concern
But I think you're in my soul
I feel a strong connection to you
And it warms me to know that you'll still be in charge of the heart's content
I am happy that you will take care of matters of the heart
It's our job, It's our job to breathe
Our task is to simply live and be present
Yes it warms me to know that I'll still be in charge of your heart's content
I am pleased that I can still make you happy
It's our job, It's our job to breathe
Our responsibility is to live and breathe
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SONDRE LERCHE VAULAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dirtporcelain
Wasn't my favorite when I first heard this wonderful album but I come back to this the most. Truly wonderful.
@mikesinclair7135
So so beautiful... I love this song... and this album... probably still my favourite.
@MaebeIf
~ Ughh, Love him and his music, Such great Talent! ~
@DCristotallyawesome
His voice... <3
@pandiimore2
oooh, come on, Sondre, I know you want to come to Mexico sooo bad ;)