The 3rd and the Mortal was an experimental band from Trondheim, Norway that… Read Full Bio ↴The 3rd and the Mortal was an experimental band from Trondheim, Norway that was formed in 1992. The band started out as a doom metal band mixing distorted guitars and heavy drumming with clean guitars and female vocals from Kari Rueslåtten. The band then experimented with genres such as ambient, progressive rock, jazz, electronica and trip-hop.

The 3rd and the Mortal were one of the forerunners of the atmospheric metal scene having been one of the first to have a leading female singer, they inspired bands such as The Gathering, Flowing Tears and Nightwish. Their first EP Sorrow was released in 1993 followed by the album Tears Laid In Earth in 1994. After Rueslåtten's departure in 1995 the band had Ann-Mari Edvardsen join as vocalist. With her the band released full length albums Painting on Glass in 1996 and explored an even more experimental sound in 1997 with In this room.

After an absence of 5 years and the departure of Edvardsen, the band returned in 2002 with Memoirs, an album with recordings made during previous years. A new female vocalist was found in Kirsti Huke, who is present on the majority of songs, with second vocalist Andreas Elvenes backing her up on a couple of tracks. Memoirs differs from previous albums by being more electronics based and trip-hop influenced. After Memoirs the band did a small tour in september and october 2002, playing eight shows in Germany and one in the Netherlands.

In 2004 the band released EP's And Rarities. This is a compilation consisting of the Sorrow and Nightswan EPs + the b-side of the Stream single and the bonus-track from the japanese In This Room album. In 2005 the band released Project Bluebook: Decade of Endeavour, which is a compilation album with two new studio tracks, another unreleased song performed live in 1998 and four different live versions of 'Mortal classics recorded on the European tour in 2002.

Members:
Kirsti Huke - vocals - session musician (Lightball System)
Andreas Elvenes - vocals - session musician (The School)
Finn-Olav Holthe - guitars, keyboards
Trond Engum - guitars - (The Soundbyte)
Geir Nilsen - guitars, keyboards
Rune Hoemsnes - drums - (Manes)

Past members:
Kari Rueslåtten - vocals - (Storm)
Ann-Mari Edvardsen - vocals, keyboards - (Tactile Gemma, Antestor (session))
Jarle Dretvik - bass
Bernt Rundberget - bass
Frank Stavem - bass

Discography:
1993 The 3rd and the Mortal (Demo)
1994 Sorrow (EP)
1994 Tears Laid in Earth
1995 Nightswan (EP)
1996 Stream (Single)
1996 Painting on Glass
1997 In This Room
2002 Memoirs
2004 EP's and Rarities (Compilation)
2005 Project Bluebook: Decade of Endeavour (Compilation)

http://www.mortal.info

Song
The 3rd and the Mortal Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's funny what a song can do to a lonely man's heart
Feels like they're singing about you right from the start
Every word you hear just cuts you like a knife
And all you can think about is what's missing in your life
'Cause every song is a memory
Of the way things used to be
I close my eyes and I see you
Smiling at me like you used to

The way your hair blows in the wind
The way your hands felt on my skin
It's almost like you're here again
The radio ain't a friend to me
'Cause every song is a memory
It's hard to play the radio when I'm driving in my car
'Cause every word I hear, I wonder where you are
All my friends tell me that all I need is time
But when the music starts to play, you're right back on my mind
'Cause every song is a memory
Of the way things used to be
I close my eyes and I see you
Smiling at me like you used to
The way your hair blows in the wind
The way your hands felt on my skin
It's almost like you're here again
The radio ain't a friend to me
'Cause every song is a memory, yeah
Every song is a memory
Of the way things used to be
I close my eyes and I see you
Smiling at me like you used to
The way your hair blows in the wind
The way your hands felt on my skin
It's almost like you're here again
The radio ain't a friend to me
'Cause every song is a memory

The radio ain't a friend to me
'Cause every song is a memory

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The 3rd and the Mortal's "Song" are written from a perspective of someone who is in the midst of a spiritual crisis. The singer speaks of hearing something calling out to them, trying to reach them even as they find themselves trapped in a state of limbo between sleep and wakefulness. As they contemplate their existence and their relationship with a higher power, they express their doubts, disillusionment, and ultimately their feelings of utter hopelessness.

One of the defining characteristics of this song is its use of contrasts. The lyrics speak of light and darkness, presence and absence, and faith and doubt. The singer is struggling to reconcile these seemingly irreconcilable elements and find a sense of purpose and direction amidst the confusion. Ultimately, the song ends on a nihilistic note, as the singer declares that they are ready to be taken away by whatever force is calling to them, as they have already lost everything.

Line by Line Meaning

Falling, without solace
Feeling lost and hopeless, with no comforting or reassuring presence

There is something, asking for me
A sense that something or someone is calling out, seeking attention

I hear knocking, movement shakes me
An unsettling sensation, like someone or something is trying to break through

It is trying to tell me something
The feeling that there is a message or meaning behind the knocking or movement

As I'm waking, my eyes will not open
The struggle to become aware or enlightened, even as the body remains unresponsive

I am caught in, that state of in between
The limbo between consciousness and unconsciousness, perception and reality

There is light there, surrounded by darkness
A glimmer of hope or insight, but still overshadowed by fear and despair

They embody the everything
The sense that light and darkness, hope and despair, are all part of a greater whole

Will I listen, embrace the sensation?
The decision whether to face the unknown and seek understanding or cling to fear and ignorance

Is it fear or an awakening?
The question whether this feeling is a warning or an opportunity for growth and change

Will the light lead, me out of the darkness?
The hope that understanding or enlightenment can bring an end to suffering and uncertainty

Will it lead to my enlightening?
The aspiration toward a higher level of consciousness or spiritual fulfillment

You are not my Savior
A declaration that no external force or entity can save or rescue the singer

You have never been there for me
A reflection on past disappointments and failures, particularly from those who were expected to help or support

And you are not my Father
The rejection of a paternal figure or authority, for not living up to expectations or obligations

You have failed me at everything
The idea that this failure is all-encompassing, with no redemption or hope for improvement

I am ready, for it to take me
A sense of resignation or acceptance, that whatever unknown force is calling, it is time to face it

For there is nothing to take away
The realization that there is nothing left to lose or fear, having already faced loss and disappointment

Faith is a personal thing
The acknowledgement that belief and spirituality are subjective and unique, shaped by individual experience and interpretation

Unique to your own upbringing
The idea that one's own background and upbringing play a significant role in shaping their spiritual beliefs

Belief is a destination
The notion that faith and understanding are destinations to be reached through personal exploration and growth

Of finding yourself through meaning
The belief that meaning and purpose can be found through spiritual exploration and understanding

I have struggled, to try and find meaning
The journey of searching for something greater than oneself, with the understanding that it can be difficult and elusive

It's deceiving, and fleeting to say
The idea that the search for meaning can be elusive and that what may seem like understanding can be quickly lost

I have faith now
Having found a sense of belief or understanding, despite previous struggles and doubts

The truth is I've somehow
Acknowledging the ambiguity and mystery that remains, even with newfound faith or understanding

Already lost, myself along the way
The realization that the journey of spiritual exploration and personal growth has led to significant changes or losses of the self

Some people, they seem to think
An observation of other people's beliefs and attitudes, from a perspective of personal experience

That they've found the only true faith
The recognition that others may have found their own sense of truth or understanding, but that it may not be universal or applicable to all

But each of us has to find that place
The understanding that the search for meaning and faith is unique to each individual, and cannot be dictated or imposed by others

Our path in our very own way
The belief that the journey of spiritual exploration and growth is personal and subjective, and that each individual's path is their own

I've strayed
The recognition that one has wandered or deviated from the path, and that there may be a need for correction or redirection

Finding myself, surrounded by sin
The realization that there are internal or external forces that may be pulling one away from a sense of spirituality or faith

And they asked me, to blow out the candles
A request or challenge to confront the darkness or uncertainty that is preventing personal growth or enlightenment

Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Scott Edmondson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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