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.
On the Tower
Sondre Lerche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If it's because of me
Then I may well have to
Tell you what I would do
But to play is easier than to set the groove
And to think is more simple than changing the mood
Is it more, is it less?
Won't you whisper your blues as heartfelt as you can?
Meet me halfway
By the bedrock
On the tower
If I translate you wrong
When I complete your song
That would be my two feet
Stumbling ahead of me
I could tell you the tricks that I think hurt you best
About the house packed with people and their loneliness
But the hour is so late
Take some weight off your chest
Let's just pray for our fates and then give it a rest
Meet me halfway
By the bedrock
On the tower
Go get yourself up straight
I'll throw a melody
That is as serious as it is simple
On the tower
On the tower
On the tower
Meet me halfway
By the bedrock
On the tower
The opening lines of Sondre Lerche's song "On the Tower" is a contemplation about the possibility of causing someone pain. The singer wonders if he has made someone cry and considers his responsibility to make things right. He recognizes that finding the right words to fix a problem is not always an easy task because playing music is easier than figuring out what needs to be said. He acknowledges that changing one's mood is more complicated than merely thinking about it. However, he implores the person to open up and share their emotions, even if they are not easy to express. The chorus suggests meeting in the middle to resolve whatever conflict may exist. The phrase "On the Tower" could be interpreted as a metaphor for rising above the situation, gaining perspective, and taking control.
In the second verse, the singer acknowledges the risk of misunderstanding someone's emotions. Even when trying to understand fully, it is easy to make an incorrect interpretation. The singer suggests that sometimes silence is better than trying to speak when you're not sure what to say. He urges the person to put their emotional baggage on pause and join him in the present. The whimsical melody and playful chords are used to counterbalance the seriousness of the lyrics. Although the message of the song may seem clear, the interpretation of the lyrics may vary depending on the listener's experience.
Line by Line Meaning
If that's a tear I see
If I've made you cry
If it's because of me
If I am the cause of your tears
Then I may well have to
Then I should probably
Tell you what I would do
Explain what I would do in that situation
But to play is easier than to set the groove
It's easier to just go through the motions
And to think is more simple than changing the mood
It's easier to think about things than to actually improve the situation
Is it more, is it less?
Is it better, or worse?
What's that thing on your chest?
What are you carrying around with you?
Won't you whisper your blues as heartfelt as you can?
Can you please tell me what's been bothering you?
Meet me halfway
Let's find a compromise
By the bedrock
Near the foundation
On the tower
On top of the world
If I translate you wrong
If I misunderstand what you're saying
When I complete your song
When I try to finish your thought
That would be my two feet
That would be my mistake
Stumbling ahead of me
Causing problems in the future
I could tell you the tricks that I think hurt you best
I could tell you how to really hurt someone
About the house packed with people and their loneliness
About how being around others can still feel lonely
But the hour is so late
But it's getting late
Take some weight off your chest
Let go of what's been weighing on you
Let's just pray for our fates and then give it a rest
Let's hope for the best and move on
Go get yourself up straight
Pull yourself together
I'll throw a melody
I'll give you something to distract you
That is as serious as it is simple
Something straightforward but still impactful
On the tower
On top of the world
On the tower
On top of the world
On the tower
On top of the world
Meet me halfway
Let's find a compromise
By the bedrock
Near the foundation
On the tower
On top of the world
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: SONDRE LERCHE VAULAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@audreya7543
This man is so damn talented and deserves so much more recognition.
@SontaLovely
This was and still is my 'ish! This makes me so light hearted and brings back the simpler times. The guitar part is dope.
I feel like I'm in a dream state when I hear this song ❤...
@pinelay
Love it
@fraouloliloni
I really love ittt!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
@JonnyHatesJuice
My favourite part is the lesbian harpies making love during the end credits ❤👻📢🚬
@priscilamuniz5356
Hace 7 años :(
@sergioaguado9340
Someone in 2019? :)
@sergioaguado9340
Someone in 2020?
@eisenhornoverlip4724
HELL YEAH
@sergioaguado9340
2021? <3