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.
Sleep On Needles
Sondre Lerche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll reveal everything
I will treasure the truth
You could know anything
I am but a fool to play unaware of things
If I'd treasured the truth
I would tell it to you
I'm coming down to tell you what I know
Where I have been and how I had to
Sleep on needles
You'll believe you are hard
Sleep on needles
And hear only the truth
Am I likely to succeed with the way things are?
Judging by your smile
You are holding something back
I'm sleepless around midnight
There's a change in the wind
The remembrance of things you used to hold back
I come around each time your notes are high
To tear you down and drag you up
To let you know what's going on while I
Sleep on needles
You'll believe you are hard
Sleep on needles
And hear only the truth
The lyrics of Sondre Lerche's "Sleep on Needles" reflect the struggle of revealing the truth and the efforts one might go through to disclose it. The first verse conveys an eagerness to speak the truth, but also an acknowledgement that there are times when people might be foolish to ignore it. The following lines acknowledge the responsibility that comes with knowing the truth and the willingness to share it, which is emphasized by the phrase “I’m coming down to tell you what I know.” The chorus of the song serves as a warning to those who might be tempted to avoid the truth, and instead, “sleep on needles” – an uncomfortable and dangerous choice, but one that provides clarity and the ability to hear only the truth.
In the second verse, there is a shift from the first person to an addressing of someone else. The singer asks whether they are likely to succeed with the way things are and suggests that the other person is holding something back. The lines “I come around each time your notes are high, to tear you down and drag you up” show a sense of urgency and the desire to push someone towards acknowledging the truth. The verse ends with the line “To let you know what’s going on while I…” which could signify that the truth is about to be revealed, but is left hanging. The chorus is repeated again, this time serving as a plea to the other person to listen to what is said and acknowledge the truth.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sleep on Needles" suggest the importance of speaking and acknowledging the truth, even if it might not be comfortable or easy. It emphasizes the feeling of responsibility that comes with being aware of the truth and encourages one to confront it, particularly when the people around them might be tempted to ignore it. The chorus serves as a warning and a reminder that the truth might be uncomfortable, but it is ultimately necessary for growth and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Ask me anything you like
I am open and willing to share any information you want to know
I'll reveal everything
I will be completely honest and forthcoming with you
I will treasure the truth
I value honesty and accuracy very highly
You could know anything
There are no limits to what I am willing to share with you
I am but a fool to play unaware of things
If I pretend not to know things, I am only fooling myself
If I'd treasured the truth
If I had valued the truth more highly in the past
I would tell it to you
I would share that truth with you now
I'm coming down to tell you what I know
I am coming to speak to you directly about my knowledge
To say what's real, to let you know
To be honest and clear with you
Where I have been and how I had to
I will give you a full understanding of my experiences and choices
Sleep on needles
To be comfortable with pain and discomfort
You'll believe you are hard
You will think of yourself as tough and resilient
And hear only the truth
Through this process, you will only hear honest and accurate information
Am I likely to succeed with the way things are?
Do you think that I can be successful given the current situation?
Judging by your smile
Based on your facial expression
You are holding something back
I suspect you are not being completely honest with me
I'm sleepless around midnight
I can't sleep at night
There's a change in the wind
Things are starting to happen, the situation is shifting
The remembrance of things you used to hold back
I am starting to recall things that you were previously keeping secret
I come around each time your notes are high
I am always there for you when you are feeling good or successful
To tear you down and drag you up
To challenge you and push you to be better
To let you know what's going on while I
To keep you informed of the situation while I am present
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: SONDRE LERCHE VAULAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
powdr tcg
Can’t believe ive been listening to this song for as long as I have been.
Clotmesh
Young sondre lerche is so adorable, ohmygosh
Ruth Andrade
TOTALLY AGREE
Liza Burgos
I remember when this came out. met him - nice dude.
Tiago Serôdio
Bumping the comments, 'cos this song utterly f*'ing rocks. Top of the pops on my personal playlist
Des Qua
I have my own problems, but I will rather listen to this and cry for carla and samuel’s heart break
Ethan Surge
Anyone else hear this song from a CD that came with AXE body spray back in the day?
Ral Aznable
Yes!!!, that how I found this banger.
TheGogogadget123
I wonder if Sondre wears Axe
paul nostradamus
Carla 😍😍