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.
Two Way Monologue
Sondre Lerche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the other options that you had in mind starve me
'Cause I'm optionless and turkey-free and blind
Pa
Won't you listen and I'll let you in on this
Blind me!
As you listen I'll reduce advice to dust
I shouldn't have to spell my name
Ma!
If it's worth the made up smiles, the quiet fights
Oh mother!
It is hard not to look in the mirror's eye
I have come to this while you have come along
So it's alright if you change your mind the other way around again
I shouldn't have to spell my name
So start the two way monologues that speak your mind
We're talking two way monologues with words that rhyme
We
can't reclaim the shirts we threw away last twirl
Uncurl the note-in-pocket, personal brochures that dust
Machine-washed, that's how paper rusts
Days you spend wanting some of Michael Landon's grace
strike back, now they shape your life as stony as his face
Oh no! I shouldn't have to spell his name
So start the two way monologues that speak your mind
Start the two way monologues with words that rhyme
Start the two way monologues that speak your mind
We're talking two way monologues
We were chasing rabbits on the hill
And that prairie-life was great, but never real
'Cause we never saw no rabbits out there, ever, no, not once
All we did was put a fire up and watch it burn for months
And I miss the sound of stairs and walls and maladjusted doors
and too little space for holding all the soldiers and the war
The lyrics in Sondre Lerche's song "Two Way Monologue" present a conversation between the singer and his family members, which symbolizes his personal struggles in life. In the opening lines, he sings about how his mother's options for him are limiting because he is "optionless and turkey-free and blind." The figurative language suggests that his lack of choices is starving him, and he is unable to see the way out of his situation. When his father chimes in, he wants the singer to be receptive to his advice, but he also acknowledges that advice can become irrelevant.
Throughout the song, the singer's family members offer suggestions and criticisms, implying a tension between pleasing them and finding his own way. He acknowledges the value of their support and the difficulties of making his own choices, which is why he expresses that it's "alright if you change your mind the other way around again." The second part of the song shifts away from family dialogue and becomes more reflective. The singer talks about the past and the present and the different roles they play in shaping his life. The closing lines describe how he misses the confinements of traditional homes and their sounds, mirroring the idea of the limits that the family puts on him.
Overall, "Two Way Monologue" is a song that explores the dynamics between conformity and personal expression, family influence and individual experience. The lyrics forcefully convey that our relationships can either shape us up for a better future, or cripple our ability to find our own path.
Line by Line Meaning
Mum
I am addressing my mother
All the other options that you had in mind starve me
All other choices you thought were possible for me are insufficient
'Cause I'm optionless and turkey-free and blind
Because I have no other meaningful choice and I am limited like a disabled person
Pa
I am addressing my father
Won't you listen and I'll let you in on this
Will you please pay attention as I reveal my thoughts?
Blind me!
Please help me understand despite my limitations
As you listen I'll reduce advice to dust
As you hear me out, I'll dispense with unsolicited advice
Oh no!
What a predicament
I shouldn't have to spell my name
It should be obvious who I am and what I need
Ma!
I am addressing my mother again
If it's worth the made up smiles, the quiet fights
If it's worth pretending everything is okay and avoiding conflict
Oh mother!
My dear mother
It is hard not to look in the mirror's eye
It's difficult to avoid self-reflection
I have come to this while you have come along
I have arrived at my own understanding while you were with me on my journey
So it's alright if you change your mind the other way around again
It's okay if you alter your viewpoints again
I shouldn't have to spell my name
It should be obvious who I am and what I need
So start the two way monologues that speak your mind
Let's begin the dialogue where both of us express ourselves
We're talking two way monologues with words that rhyme
We will converse openly, and our words may coincide poetically
We can't reclaim the shirts we threw away last twirl
We can't take back the things we discarded before
Uncurl the note-in-pocket, personal brochures that dust
Unfurl the notes and writings that have been stored away for ages
Machine-washed, that's how paper rusts
Even paper can deteriorate over time
Days you spend wanting some of Michael Landon's grace
In the past, you may have desired the qualities of Michael Landon
strike back, now they shape your life as stony as his face
Now you struggle with those same attributes that harden your life, much like his solid expression
Oh no! I shouldn't have to spell his name
What a predicament, I should not have to remind you who Michael Landon is
We're talking two way monologues
We're establishing an effective and equal conversation
We were chasing rabbits on the hill
We had playful ideas and goals
And that prairie-life was great, but never real
That scenery and environment were wonderful, but not authentic
'Cause we never saw no rabbits out there, ever, no, not once
Because, disappointingly, we never found the things we sought
All we did was put a fire up and watch it burn for months
Instead, we created our own entertainment but nothing substantial came out of it
And I miss the sound of stairs and walls and maladjusted doors
I yearn for the everyday sounds and quirks of a normal home
and too little space for holding all the soldiers and the war
But maybe not enough room to confront the private battles and conflicts within ourselves
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Sondre Lerche Vaular
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aisyahkhairunnisa3026
Ma
If it's worth the made up smiles, the quiet fights
Oh, mother
It is hard not to look in the mirror's eye
I have come to this while you have come along
So it's alright if you change your mind the other way around again
I shouldn't have to spell my name
So start the two way monologues that speak your mind
We're talking two way monologues with words that rhyme
We
We can't reclaim the shirts we threw away last twirl
Uncurl the note-in-pocket, personal brochures that dust
Machine-washed, that's how paper rusts
Days you spend wanting some of Michael Landon's grace
strike back, now they shape your life as stony as his face
Oh no
I shouldn't have to spell his name
So start the two way monologues that speak your mind
We're talking two way monologues with words that rhyme
Start the two way monologues that speak your mind
We're talking two way monologues
We were chasing rabbits on the hill
Oh that prairie-life was great, but never real
'Cause we never saw no rabbits out there, ever, no, not once
All we did was put a fire up and watch it burn for months
I miss the sound of stairs and walls and maladjusted doors
and too little space for holding all the soldiers and the war
Start the two way monologues that speak your mind
Start the two way monologues that speak your mind
We're talking two way monologues
@hydrspace7658
This guy is so Underrated! I still listening this and his other songs till now, i loved him when he came to Indonesia in Java Jazz!
@nerdykeith
Same he’s so talented. His Avatars of Love album is incredible
@BapakBuayah
Wow never heard of that, but brilliant! - oh hello fellow Indonesian~
@yudhabagaskara98
He went to Indonesia in late 2014 as well
@oneskychannel142
I missed java jazz.. Arghhh
@Edith15425
used to listen to this on MTV at around 1 -2 AM like right now lol
@dewiazkiyah1860
still listening this song🥰
@vivindajonsdottir4438
This song used to be so popular in Indonesia (ca. 2004/2005) when MTV does exist. No wonder there are a lotta comments from 90s Indonesians here 😆
@sieswanto
Inget banget dulu masih zaman kuliah thn 2004an, tiap bawa mobil pasti dengerin musik ini di prambors atau di mustang 88fm, kangen masa2x itu... Zamannya masih jadi remaja millenium/ millenials 😍😍😍
@DrummingStig
Sekarang generasi baru kembali dengerin lagu ini pas pulang kantor, disetel sama penyiar radio yang kuliahnya di tahun tahun segitu. Funny how this song recycles