His debut, Heidersmenn, was released in 2009 and produced by Kjartan Kristiansen, known from DumDum Boys. Geir Sundstøl and Lars Haavard Haugen were some of the artists who contributed on the album.
For the debut, Bjella picked up two nominations for Spellemannsprisen 2009 (the norwegian Grammy) in the categories Best Folk and Best Lyricist.
In 2011, Bjella's second album, Vonde visu was released to great reviews.
http://www.steintorleifbjella.no/
Liten ball
Stein Torleif Bjella Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
E va han som kom i mål når dei andre kom heim
E va han som hadde skakklugg og fritt fall
E va han som alder fekk te kste liten ball
E va han som mista badebuksa midt i stupet
E va han du alder spelte ballen te
Har du nokon gong i det minste tenkt på
E va han som alltid rota bort gympåsen
E va han som køyrde snurren fast i glidelåsen
E va han som fekk snøbank i storefri
E va han som arva kleun etter storesyste mi
E va han som mista badebuksa midt i stupet
E va han du alder spelte ballen te
Har du nokon gong i det minste tenkt på
Det kunne ha vore deg
Men du har kanskje alder tenkt slik sjøl
Hadde e møtt deg no ville du vore akkurat som før
E ville kjent de att som 1000 blåmandaga
Mens du knapt nok husker kven e var
E va han som mista badebuksa midt i stupet
E va ha du alder spelte ballen te
Har du nokon gong i det minste tenkt på
Det kunne ha vore deg
Det kunne ha vore deg
Det kunne ha vore deg
The lyrics of Stein Torleif Bjella's song "Liten ball" tell the story of a person who constantly finds themselves in embarrassing and unfortunate situations. They were the one who always ended up last in the school skiing race, the one who arrived at the finish line long after everyone else had gone home. They had a clumsy and accident-prone nature, always stumbling and falling. Despite their struggles, they were never able to throw or kick the small ball properly.
They were also the one who lost their swimming trunks in the middle of a dive, an experience that was undoubtedly humiliating. They were never chosen to play ball by others, always left out and ignored. The lyrics invite the listener to consider if they have ever thought about the possibility that these misfortunes could have happened to them instead. It serves as a reminder that we should not judge or dismiss others based on their shortcomings because we ourselves could have easily been in their shoes.
The song continues with more examples of the person's mishaps and shortcomings. They were the one who always misplaced their gym bag and got their zipper stuck. They were the one who ended up buried in a snowbank during recess. They even inherited their sibling's hand-me-downs, emphasizing their lack of fortune or luck in life. Despite all these misfortunes, the song suggests that the person being described is merely a reflection of ourselves. Their experiences and struggles could easily have been ours if circumstances had been different.
The lyrics conclude by once again highlighting the person's embarrassing moment of losing their swimming trunks, reiterating that they were never given the chance to play ball like everyone else. The listener is asked if they have ever stopped to consider that it could have been them in these situations. The repetition of the phrase "It could have been you" serves as a reminder to be empathetic and understanding towards others, as we are all susceptible to misfortune and embarrassing moments in life.
Line by Line Meaning
E va han som kom på sisteplass i skuleskirenn
I was the one who came in last place in the school ski race
E va han som kom i mål når dei andre kom heim
I was the one who reached the finish line while others went home
E va han som hadde skakklugg og fritt fall
I was the one who had a wobbly head and free fall
E va han som alder fekk te kste liten ball
I was the one who never got to throw the small ball
E va han som mista badebuksa midt i stupet
I was the one who lost my swim trunks in the middle of the dive
E va han du alder spelte ballen te
I was the one you never played the ball with
Har du nokon gong i det minste tenkt på
Have you ever at least thought about
Det kunne ha vore deg
It could have been you
E va han som alltid rota bort gympåsen
I was the one who always lost my gym bag
E va han som køyrde snurren fast i glidelåsen
I was the one who got the zipper stuck in the spin
E va han som fekk snøbank i storefri
I was the one who got covered in snow during recess
E va han som arva kleun etter storesyste mi
I was the one who inherited hand-me-downs from my older sister
Men du har kanskje alder tenkt slik sjøl
But maybe you've never thought like that yourself
Hadde e møtt deg no ville du vore akkurat som før
If I met you now, you would be just as you were before
E ville kjent de att som 1000 blåmandaga
I would recognize you like a thousand blue Mondays
Mens du knapt nok husker kven e var
While you barely remember who I was
Det kunne ha vore deg
It could have been you
Det kunne ha vore deg
It could have been you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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