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.

Rosebud
Sondre Lerche Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Is it all make believe?
Is it all make believe?
Don't abuse the trust I place in you

If I should bend and break
You force me to walk and wait
No one will wait for you
'Cause you never asked them to

If a moment you got caught
You'd stop and see it's enough
Even you are not complete

Is it all make believe?
Tell me now make believe
I'm a tent of paying you other pegs

If I should stop to breathe
Just to get over it
I wouldn't wait for you
'Cause you never asked me to

If a moment you got caught (passed you by)
Deny and reveal your lies
Even you are not complete (not complete)

For a moment just retreat

Tonight you lie down defeat
Even you are not complete

Overall Meaning

The song "Rosebud" by Sondre Lerche is a contemplation on the nature of truth and reality. The opening lines of "Is it all make believe?" repeated twice sets the tone for the song as a questioning one, wondering about the authenticity of the things we believe or perceive. The singer is also asking his partner not to betray his trust and the emotions he has invested in the relationship. The lines "If I should bend and break / You force me to walk and wait / No one will wait for you / 'Cause you never asked them to" suggest that the relationship is one-sided, with one partner always waiting and the other taking the other for granted. The repeated phrase, "Even you are not complete," emphasizes the idea that no one is perfect and everyone is flawed, but it's important to be honest and face up to your shortcomings rather than deny them.

The bridge of the song shifts the focus to the partner, challenging them to confront their own lies and imperfections. The lines "If a moment you got caught / (passed you by) / Deny and reveal your lies / Even you are not complete (not complete)" suggest that the partner has been caught in some kind of deception, perhaps related to the one-sidedness of the relationship, and needs to come clean. The chorus is repeated again with slightly different phrasing, as the singer challenges their partner to be honest and stop pretending: "Tell me now make believe / I'm a tent of paying you other pegs / If I should stop to breathe / Just to get over it / I wouldn't wait for you / 'Cause you never asked me to." The song ends with a note of resignation, with the lines "For a moment just retreat / Tonight you lie down defeat / Even you are not complete" suggesting that the partner needs to take some time for reflection and self-improvement before the relationship can move forward.

Line by Line Meaning

Is it all make believe?
Questioning the authenticity of the situation

Is it all make believe?
Repeating the question to emphasize the doubt

Don't abuse the trust I place in you
Asking the other person to honor the trust between them

If I should bend and break
Acknowledging vulnerability

You force me to walk and wait
Feeling compelled to do something despite hesitation

No one will wait for you
Highlighting the importance of taking action

'Cause you never asked them to
Blaming the other person for lack of support

If a moment you got caught
Reflecting on the consequences of one's actions

You'd stop and see it's enough
Realizing the sufficiency of the present moment

Even you are not complete
Acknowledging personal flaws and shortcomings

Is it all make believe?
Repeating the question to emphasize doubt