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.
Mr. Bassman
Sondre Lerche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got that certain something
Hey Mr. Bassman
You set that music thumping
To you its easy when you go one, two, three
Bah bah bah bah bah
You mean bah bah bah bah bah bah bah bah boom boom boom
You're on all the songs with a
Bah bah bah bah boom boom
Bah bah bah bah boom boom bah
Hey Mr. Bassman you're the hidden king of rock and roll
Bah bah bah boom bah
No no bah bah bah bah bah bah bah bah
Oh well you don't mean a thing
When the leader's singing
When he goes ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay
Hey Mr. Bassman
I'm asking just on thing
Will you please teach me
Yes, the way you sing
'Cause Mr. Bassman
I want to be a bass man too
Bah bah bah bah bah bah bah boom boom boom
Well it don't a thing when the leader's singing
When he goes ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay
Hey Mr. Bassman
I think I'm really with it
Hey Mr. Boom boom boom
Di di di di di di boom boom
Come on Mr. Bassman
Now I'm a bass man too
Bah bah bah bah bah bah bah boom boom boom
The song starts off with the singer addressing the "Mr. Bassman," complimenting him on having a certain quality and setting the music thumping with his bass. The lyrics suggest that it is easy for the Bassman to play the bass, as he can do it with ease and simply goes through the notes one, two, three. The song also mentions how the Bassman is the hidden king of rock and roll, implying that although he may not take center stage, he is essential to the sound of contemporary music.
The lyrics continue to underline the importance of the Bassman's music, stating that it doesn't matter what the leader is singing, as long as the Bassman's bass is booming. The singer expresses a desire to learn how to sing and play the bass like the Bassman, acknowledging that he wants to be a bassman too.
The lyrics of Mr. Bassman celebrate the oft-overlooked role of the bassist in a band, and the importance of their contributions to the sound of a song. By highlighting the importance of the Bassman's simple yet essential bass line, the song pays homage to the often-overlooked or underestimated "players" in music.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Mr. Bassman
Addressing the skilled bass player
You've got that certain something
You possess a unique talent
Hey Mr. Bassman
Continuing to address the bass player
You set that music thumping
You create a strong rhythm and beat
To you its easy when you go one, two, three
Playing the bass comes naturally to you
Bah bah bah bah bah
Representing the sound of the bass notes
You mean bah bah bah bah bah bah bah bah boom boom boom
The bass creates a catchy and energetic sound
Yes, hey Mr. Bassman
Continuing to address the bass player
You're on all the songs with a
The bass can be heard in every song
Bah bah bah bah boom boom
The bass creates a strong beat
Bah bah bah bah boom boom bah
The bass adds variation to the beat
Hey Mr. Bassman you're the hidden king of rock and roll
The bass player is a key contributor to the success of rock and roll music
Bah bah bah boom bah
The bass creates a captivating sound
No no bah bah bah bah bah bah bah bah
The bass provides a unique touch that cannot be replicated
Oh well you don't mean a thing
The bass is often overlooked in favor of other instruments
When the leader's singing
When the lead vocalist is performing
When he goes ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay
When the lead vocalist hits high notes
Hey Mr. Bassman
Continuing to address the bass player
I'm asking just on thing
Requesting a favor from the bass player
Will you please teach me
Asking the bass player for lessons
Yes, the way you sing
Referring to the unique sound of the bass
'Cause Mr. Bassman
Continuing to address the bass player
I want to be a bass man too
Expressing a desire to learn to play the bass
Bah bah bah bah bah bah bah boom boom boom
The bass creates a magnetic and driving sound
Well it don't a thing when the leader's singing
The bass goes unnoticed when the lead vocalist is performing
When he goes ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay
When the lead vocalist hits high notes
Hey Mr. Bassman
Continuing to address the bass player
I think I'm really with it
Feeling confident in learning to play the bass
Hey Mr. Boom boom boom
Addressing the booming sound of the bass
Di di di di di di boom boom
Representing the sound of the bass notes
Come on Mr. Bassman
Encouraging the bass player to assist in learning
Now I'm a bass man too
Feeling accomplished in learning to play the bass
Bah bah bah bah bah bah bah boom boom boom
Celebrating the captivating sound of the bass
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHNNY H. CYMBAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dennis Wood
Just found out about this album. Asking for it for Christmas 🎄. 🎅 🤶
Survivor Nerd
Wait, this video has been up for 9 years and I’m the first comment, wtf?
Govthefox
@BlacKFlame I thought it was polka-dotted chest?
BlacKFlame
nice. im 3rd with the hairy chest
wock up
Yes xD