Sondre Lerche Vaular (born 5 September 1982) is a Norwegian singer-songwrit… Read Full Bio ↴Sondre Lerche Vaular (born 5 September 1982) is a Norwegian singer-songwriter and guitarist. His professional career began in 2000 and over the course of the following years, Lerche and his band, the Faces Down, became beloved critical and commercial successes in their homeland. Later, Lerche would attract international praise and recognition, becoming one of the most internationally renowned and popular Norwegian artists. Lerche is known for the various eclectic styles invoked by his music, which often changes radically from album to album.

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.

Phantom Punch
Sondre Lerche Lyrics

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Honestly isn't it enough?
Everytime you cross the red line
My tracks go tangling
Anyway where did you become
Such a sneaky perpetrator
Strangely rebellious

You don't want to feel the phantom punch

Isn't it already far too much?

Anyway can you not recall
Feeling every generous trust
As I was petrified
Honestly get it off your chest
Each and every sonnet you sing
Makes me want to scream and stuff

You don't want to feel the phantom punch
Isn't it already far too much?
Isn't there always something
Shaking the ground breaking things

If it's all the same to you
I'd rather just...

Overall Meaning

In "Phantom Punch," Sondre Lerche expresses his frustration with someone who has crossed a line in their relationship. He questions the person's rebellious behavior and wonders when they became a sneaky perpetrator. The phrase "phantom punch" is a metaphor for the emotional pain caused by the person's actions. Lerche tells this person that they don't want to feel the phantom punch and that it is already too much. He asks them to be honest and get everything off their chest, but he is also annoyed by their overly dramatic behavior, which makes him want to scream.

The lyrics in "Phantom Punch" are relatable to anyone who has had a relationship go sour due to a breach of trust or communication. Lerche's use of metaphors, such as the "phantom punch," adds depth to his emotions, and the repetition of the refrain emphasizes the weight of the situation. The song has a sense of urgency as Lerche seems to be trying to communicate his feelings to the other person before it's too late.

Line by Line Meaning

Honestly isn't it enough?
Do you not think that our current situation is already sufficient?

Everytime you cross the red line
Every time you go beyond the limit or boundary.

My tracks go tangling
My thoughts and emotions become confused and mixed-up.

Anyway where did you become Such a sneaky perpetrator Strangely rebellious
Where did you learn to be so deceitful and rebellious in a strange way?

You don't want to feel the phantom punch Isn't it already far too much?
You do not want to experience the unseen blow, but isn't what is currently happening already too much?

Anyway can you not recall Feeling every generous trust As I was petrified
Can you not remember when I had complete faith in you, while I was also terrified?

Honestly get it off your chest Each and every sonnet you sing Makes me want to scream and stuff
Honestly express yourself and stop making me want to scream and become overwhelmed with emotion everytime you sing a love song.

Isn't there always something Shaking the ground breaking things If it's all the same to you I'd rather just...
Isn't there always something out of our control that has the potential to cause destruction? If it's okay with you, I would rather not deal with it.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SONDRE LERCHE VAULAR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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