01. If A Song Could Get Me You
" First single of the record. It is about having let someone go and desperately regretting it. You’re doing everything in your power to get that person’s attention back."
I could try with a waltz
I could try rock’n’roll
I could try with the blues
If a song would do
I could sing it high or low
When I let you go, you know
I thought it was for the best
Now it is so obvious
So here it is, here it goes
I could try it rock’n’roll
A change-your-life-forever-tune
If a song could get me you
I could make it high or low
Sing it on the radio if that is what I need to do
If a song could get me you
I could run for miles and miles
I’d take off and I’d start flying
I could cross land and sea
If you’d just believe me
I should not have hurt you so
This old house is not a home
Without you here there’s no use
I’ve got no time left to lose
So here it is, here it goes
I could try it rock’n’roll
A change-your-life-forever-tune
If a song could get me you
I could make it high or low
Sing it on the radio if that is what I need to do
If a song could get me you
If a song could get me through
I’d sing my way right back to you
Tell me how to make it right
Tell me now, I’ll start tonight
I know I could make it last
I swear to you that if I knew
What I was getting myself into
I wouldn’t answer to my fears
I’d never leave you standing there
Just look at me
If you’d only see me
I would prove my love for you
I could swallow half the moon
Just tell me where, tell me when
I will have you back again
Yeah, here it is, here it goes
I could try it rock’n’roll
A change-your-life-forever-tune
If a song could get me you
I could make it high or low
Sing it on the radio if that is what I need to do
If a song could get me you
I could try rock’n’roll
I could try with the blues
If a song would do
I could sing it high or low
When I let you go, you know
I thought it was for the best
Now it is so obvious
So here it is, here it goes
I could try it rock’n’roll
A change-your-life-forever-tune
If a song could get me you
I could make it high or low
Sing it on the radio if that is what I need to do
If a song could get me you
I could run for miles and miles
I’d take off and I’d start flying
I could cross land and sea
If you’d just believe me
I should not have hurt you so
This old house is not a home
Without you here there’s no use
I’ve got no time left to lose
So here it is, here it goes
I could try it rock’n’roll
A change-your-life-forever-tune
If a song could get me you
I could make it high or low
Sing it on the radio if that is what I need to do
If a song could get me you
If a song could get me through
I’d sing my way right back to you
Tell me how to make it right
Tell me now, I’ll start tonight
I know I could make it last
I swear to you that if I knew
What I was getting myself into
I wouldn’t answer to my fears
I’d never leave you standing there
Just look at me
If you’d only see me
I would prove my love for you
I could swallow half the moon
Just tell me where, tell me when
I will have you back again
Yeah, here it is, here it goes
I could try it rock’n’roll
A change-your-life-forever-tune
If a song could get me you
I could make it high or low
Sing it on the radio if that is what I need to do
If a song could get me you
02. Don’t Save Me [nach oben]
"This song was my first single as a solo artist. I absolutely love wrapping my lyrics, which are often pretty dramatic, in bright, colorful melodies. I love how that contrast gives the songs layers and surprises that the listeners can explore and discover every time they hear the song. "
You say
we must move forward
And I say
let's not go back
Once we were brave explorers
But this trail is a worn out track
Don't chase that setting sun
Look what we've become
Don't save me
I'll save you the hassle
Our little castle is a house of cards
It's empty
Heartache is pending
This is us ending
You say
you were just kidding
And I say
this is no joke
We've grown and we're not fitting
We flamed out to a whisp of smoke
Don't turn the truth around
It reads the same way upside down
Don't save me
I'll save you the hassle
Our little castle is a house of cards
It's empty
Heartache is pending
This is us ending
So don't save me
Don't you dare
Little by little
sneaking upon
'till it's too much to ignore
Let's leave in the middle
Before it dead ends
I've been down this road
we must move forward
And I say
let's not go back
Once we were brave explorers
But this trail is a worn out track
Don't chase that setting sun
Look what we've become
Don't save me
I'll save you the hassle
Our little castle is a house of cards
It's empty
Heartache is pending
This is us ending
You say
you were just kidding
And I say
this is no joke
We've grown and we're not fitting
We flamed out to a whisp of smoke
Don't turn the truth around
It reads the same way upside down
Don't save me
I'll save you the hassle
Our little castle is a house of cards
It's empty
Heartache is pending
This is us ending
So don't save me
Don't you dare
Little by little
sneaking upon
'till it's too much to ignore
Let's leave in the middle
Before it dead ends
I've been down this road
03. This Is Me, This Is You [nach oben]
"This is me, this is you is the saddest song I’ve ever written, but also one of my favorites. It is a heartbreaking lyric that was written at the same time as the melody, which gives the story a really direct, honest feeling. To me, it is about being frank, being honest about a relationship that is not working. Something that has to come to an end."
Your skin feels like
Counting the bricks in the city
Your temper's light
Like all the girls in the city
Your eyes are like
A cold, cold swim in the river
Your words are like
Flowers floating by on the river,
Flowers floating by on the river
So now we're just like everyone else
You're a riddle to me, you're a stranger to me
And now we're just like everyone else
A few hours ago we were getting old
And our love it is reduced
To this is me and this is you
A mystery
How we were once so familiar
It's hard to see
How we were once so familiar
Lightyears apart
Standing here next to each other
Impossible
Standing here next to each other
Standing next to each other
So now we're just like everyone else
You're a riddle to me, you're a stranger to me
And now we're just like everyone else
A few hours ago we were getting old
And there's nothing left to lose
Our love it is reduced
To this is me and this is you
This is me, so this is you...
So now we're just like everyone else
You're a riddle to me, you're a stranger to me
And now we're just like everyone else
A few hours ago we were getting old
And our love it is reduced
There's nothing left to lose
When love has been reduced
To this is me and this is you
Counting the bricks in the city
Your temper's light
Like all the girls in the city
Your eyes are like
A cold, cold swim in the river
Your words are like
Flowers floating by on the river,
Flowers floating by on the river
So now we're just like everyone else
You're a riddle to me, you're a stranger to me
And now we're just like everyone else
A few hours ago we were getting old
And our love it is reduced
To this is me and this is you
A mystery
How we were once so familiar
It's hard to see
How we were once so familiar
Lightyears apart
Standing here next to each other
Impossible
Standing here next to each other
Standing next to each other
So now we're just like everyone else
You're a riddle to me, you're a stranger to me
And now we're just like everyone else
A few hours ago we were getting old
And there's nothing left to lose
Our love it is reduced
To this is me and this is you
This is me, so this is you...
So now we're just like everyone else
You're a riddle to me, you're a stranger to me
And now we're just like everyone else
A few hours ago we were getting old
And our love it is reduced
There's nothing left to lose
When love has been reduced
To this is me and this is you
04. Under The Surface [nach oben]
"This song was the title track of my first album. It’s about a complicated kind of jealousy, as it speaks of a well functioning relationship that is threatened by you being self -conscious about being compared to an ex-girlfriend, or more poetically put: a ghost from the past. It’s a battle that can not be won. I adore the bittersweet musical arrangement of this song."
Under The Surface
It's such a funny sensation to be
so happy that you wanna die
Promises always were crazy to me
but never was I so surprised
Minutes are longer when we are apart
Your presense more than I can handle
It's come to the point where I wonder if I could ever be luckier when
Suddenly I'm
back at the core
thinking of her
who had you before
Were you as good
as good as we are
Do you remember
Did you love her
the way you love me
Is there a chance that there might be
Traces of her
that you carry
Under the surface
Lend me your ears I would like to confess I'm doubting that you can be real
By your side wearing a beautiful dress I celebrate how good it feels
Say that you love me, say that it's true I know that I want to believe you
But somehow silence speaks louder than words I'm worried she's still on your mind
Suddenly I'm
back at the core
thinking of her
who had you before
Were you as good
as good as we are
Do you remember
Did you love her
the way you love me
Is there a chance that there might be
Traces of her
that you carry
Under the surface
I know that I'm selfish
I know that it's bad
I know but it's driving me mad
It's driving me mad
It's such a funny sensation to be
so happy that you wanna die
Promises always were crazy to me
but never was I so surprised
Minutes are longer when we are apart
Your presense more than I can handle
It's come to the point where I wonder if I could ever be luckier when
Suddenly I'm
back at the core
thinking of her
who had you before
Were you as good
as good as we are
Do you remember
Did you love her
the way you love me
Is there a chance that there might be
Traces of her
that you carry
Under the surface
Lend me your ears I would like to confess I'm doubting that you can be real
By your side wearing a beautiful dress I celebrate how good it feels
Say that you love me, say that it's true I know that I want to believe you
But somehow silence speaks louder than words I'm worried she's still on your mind
Suddenly I'm
back at the core
thinking of her
who had you before
Were you as good
as good as we are
Do you remember
Did you love her
the way you love me
Is there a chance that there might be
Traces of her
that you carry
Under the surface
I know that I'm selfish
I know that it's bad
I know but it's driving me mad
It's driving me mad
05. Only A Fool [nach oben]
"When I travel, I often walk into music stores and and play on different instruments, pretending that I’m actually going to buy something. This song was started on one of these occasions. I was trying to play a mandolin for the first time and all of a sudden this great riff started developing, laying down the bricks for a verse and then the start of a chorus. I ended up buying the instrument to be able to finish the song and I’ve played mandolin ever since."
So you say I need to consider this
Yours was the face that I couldn't resist Yours was the fuel to the flames in my heart
Mine were the words that would tear us apart
Well, I say I found the letters you wrote Mine was the smile and the life that you broke Mine was the story that you told your friends
Your were the demons you couldn't defend
Understand me
As of lately
I've learned a thing or two
There is just no way that I'll be
coming home to you
'Cos Only a fool
would do this again
Only a fool would let you back in
There is no you left to embrace
There is no word would make it feel safe
Love was a gift stubborn and wild
I was armed with the faith of a child
And you were my joy
You were my friend
There is no going back there again
It's more than you could ask of me my love
I'm coming out of nowhere
it feels good here
better than you know
Isn't it only fair that you try and let it go
Yours was the ring that I started to wear
Yours were the vows that went up in the air
Yours was the choice to stay away from her
Mine was the dream that got lost in the stir
These were the times I would call you my own
These were the times I was waiting at home
I'll tell you something
I've been changing after what you put me through
There is just no way that I'll be coming home to you
Yours was the face that I couldn't resist Yours was the fuel to the flames in my heart
Mine were the words that would tear us apart
Well, I say I found the letters you wrote Mine was the smile and the life that you broke Mine was the story that you told your friends
Your were the demons you couldn't defend
Understand me
As of lately
I've learned a thing or two
There is just no way that I'll be
coming home to you
'Cos Only a fool
would do this again
Only a fool would let you back in
There is no you left to embrace
There is no word would make it feel safe
Love was a gift stubborn and wild
I was armed with the faith of a child
And you were my joy
You were my friend
There is no going back there again
It's more than you could ask of me my love
I'm coming out of nowhere
it feels good here
better than you know
Isn't it only fair that you try and let it go
Yours was the ring that I started to wear
Yours were the vows that went up in the air
Yours was the choice to stay away from her
Mine was the dream that got lost in the stir
These were the times I would call you my own
These were the times I was waiting at home
I'll tell you something
I've been changing after what you put me through
There is just no way that I'll be coming home to you
06. Solid Ground [nach oben]
"Solid ground is the oldest song on this album. When I was writing it, I thought it was going to be this really slow, simple piano piece. But as I was playing it over and over, I started picking up speed and rhythm, and all of a sudden it was a pop song. My favorite line in this song is “… they will make you come undone at the seams”. I had read something like it in a book and was subconsciously trying to use it."
Cannot fall
never do regret
know just what is being said
know the risk you take
keep your head above it all
sure you can fall but not now
You gotta prove something new
Being you, being you
Cannot feel
keep from asking why
be the strongest at goodbyes
know your place in life
now expand your wings and fly
it reaches high
though not enough
you seem to me
so incomplete
swept off your feet
Now let me tell you
they will always pull you down
Before you know it they will
take your smile and push you around
They will fight and struggle
to blur and trouble
your sense of solid ground
Cannot know
lose your self control
be an angel overall
know your secret way
laugh at everything they say
will you remain the same now
you dare not see what's letting do inside of me Is it me
they will always pull you down
Before you know it they will
take your smile and push you around
They will fight and struggle
to blur and trouble
your sense of solid ground
never do regret
know just what is being said
know the risk you take
keep your head above it all
sure you can fall but not now
You gotta prove something new
Being you, being you
Cannot feel
keep from asking why
be the strongest at goodbyes
know your place in life
now expand your wings and fly
it reaches high
though not enough
you seem to me
so incomplete
swept off your feet
Now let me tell you
they will always pull you down
Before you know it they will
take your smile and push you around
They will fight and struggle
to blur and trouble
your sense of solid ground
Cannot know
lose your self control
be an angel overall
know your secret way
laugh at everything they say
will you remain the same now
you dare not see what's letting do inside of me Is it me
they will always pull you down
Before you know it they will
take your smile and push you around
They will fight and struggle
to blur and trouble
your sense of solid ground
07. Ten Steps [nach oben]
"Ten steps is the brightest, most up-beat break-up song I’ve ever heard or written. I wrote it together with a good songwriter-friend of mine, Peter Zizzo. I feel like the line “but no dream under your eyelashes could ever prepare you for this” really sums up the story and mood of the song. Again, I love the contrast between the words and the music. It really contributes to the story."
I've got a secret I'm dying to tell you
You're sound asleep, I don't want to wake you
I'm about to break your heart and you don't know
You don't know
I've got my suitcase, it's locked and loaded
Just in case you haven't noticed
I'm about to break your heart or so I hope
So I hope
Ten steps from your bed to your door
Ten steps and I'll see you no more
I've tried and I can't cry tonight
I've tried and I can't cry tonight
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
You look sweet like when I first saw you
Heaven knows how I once adored you
I'm about to kiss your mouth one last time
But no dream under your eyelashes
Could ever prepare you for this
I'm about to break your heart like you broke mine
Ten steps from your bed to your door
Ten steps and I'll see you no more
I've tried and I can't cry tonight
I've tried and I can't cry tonight
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Ten steps from your bed to your door
Ten steps and I'll see you no more
I've tried and I can't cry tonight
I've tried and I can't cry tonight
Five steps from your door to my car
Tip-toeing across your front yard
Don't move, you stay right where you are
You're sound asleep, I don't want to wake you
I'm about to break your heart and you don't know
You don't know
I've got my suitcase, it's locked and loaded
Just in case you haven't noticed
I'm about to break your heart or so I hope
So I hope
Ten steps from your bed to your door
Ten steps and I'll see you no more
I've tried and I can't cry tonight
I've tried and I can't cry tonight
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
You look sweet like when I first saw you
Heaven knows how I once adored you
I'm about to kiss your mouth one last time
But no dream under your eyelashes
Could ever prepare you for this
I'm about to break your heart like you broke mine
Ten steps from your bed to your door
Ten steps and I'll see you no more
I've tried and I can't cry tonight
I've tried and I can't cry tonight
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Ten steps from your bed to your door
Ten steps and I'll see you no more
I've tried and I can't cry tonight
I've tried and I can't cry tonight
Five steps from your door to my car
Tip-toeing across your front yard
Don't move, you stay right where you are
08. This Time Tomorrow [nach oben]
"This time tomorrow is a song about insecurity, but it is also a song about understanding love. I’ve always thought that if you’re not afraid to lose someone, you’re not really in love. This song is one of my favorites to play live, because it’s so dynamic and at the same time so emotional, without being sentimental."
She looks for all the signs
Checks your shirt when you get home
to make sure
She keeps an eye on your telephone
Instead of asking you she asks everyone you're with
And ends up in dark conclusions you're not alone
She calls you up repeatedly
Knows where you're at all the time
At night you tell her that she's all you long for
But she knows by your face there has got to be more
Her eyes are too narrow, her legs are too long
She knows by this time tomorrow you'll be gone
She used to be ahead
She had thrilling and exciting things to say
She kept you on your toes all the way
But know the tides have turned
You have come too close to knowing her
God forbid you know what she's really like
When she sleeps she keeps her make-up on
She prefers to live in a lie
At night you tell her that she's all you long for
But she knows by your face there has got to be more
Her eyes are too narrow, her legs are too long
She knows by this time tomorrow you'll be gone
Checks your shirt when you get home
to make sure
She keeps an eye on your telephone
Instead of asking you she asks everyone you're with
And ends up in dark conclusions you're not alone
She calls you up repeatedly
Knows where you're at all the time
At night you tell her that she's all you long for
But she knows by your face there has got to be more
Her eyes are too narrow, her legs are too long
She knows by this time tomorrow you'll be gone
She used to be ahead
She had thrilling and exciting things to say
She kept you on your toes all the way
But know the tides have turned
You have come too close to knowing her
God forbid you know what she's really like
When she sleeps she keeps her make-up on
She prefers to live in a lie
At night you tell her that she's all you long for
But she knows by your face there has got to be more
Her eyes are too narrow, her legs are too long
She knows by this time tomorrow you'll be gone
09. I’ve Heard Your Love Songs [nach oben]
"This lyric is actually pretty pompous. I guess it’s a proposal, in a way. “I know about your past, I know about your bad luck and your broken heart, but come to me, and I promise you I’ll fix it.”Hehe. I would never say something like this in real life, if I wasn’t hiding behind a song."
I could tell you didn’t have a clue
From the moment I laid eyes on you
Above the troubled water was a bridge as frail could be
I know just how it feels
I’ve heard your love songs
All of your love songs
And I say just wait and see
For when I hear your love songs
Your bittersweet old ones
I keep thinking
If he would just come with me
I will be as soft as summer breeze
Let your troubles go and rest with me
And I will mend the pieces that are left for me to find
Here in these arms of mine
I’ve heard your love songs
All of your love songs
And I say just wait and see
For when I hear your love songs
Your bittersweet old ones
I keep thinking
If he would just come with me
I’ve heard your love songs
All of your love songs
And I'm waiting patiently
For when I hear your love songs
Your bittersweet old ones
I keep thinking
If he would just come with me
From the moment I laid eyes on you
Above the troubled water was a bridge as frail could be
I know just how it feels
I’ve heard your love songs
All of your love songs
And I say just wait and see
For when I hear your love songs
Your bittersweet old ones
I keep thinking
If he would just come with me
I will be as soft as summer breeze
Let your troubles go and rest with me
And I will mend the pieces that are left for me to find
Here in these arms of mine
I’ve heard your love songs
All of your love songs
And I say just wait and see
For when I hear your love songs
Your bittersweet old ones
I keep thinking
If he would just come with me
I’ve heard your love songs
All of your love songs
And I'm waiting patiently
For when I hear your love songs
Your bittersweet old ones
I keep thinking
If he would just come with me
10. The Chase [nach oben]
"I’m at a place in my life right now, where I’m realizing that every decision I make has a huge impact on my life. It’s all about chasing the right person, chasing your dreams, and also the constant struggle of finding out who I am and more importantly, who I want to be. This song specifically is about a relationship that’s going back and forth, back and forth, about chasing a person who seems to be in it for the chasing itself. Very frustrating."
When the leaves fell down, you were my lover
Winter taught me you were my friend
When the spring came 'round I'd often wonder
Would the summer bring you back again
But now I know
With you it's about the chase
You're not getting anything from me
With you it's about the chase
You're not getting anything from me
I try to find a new direction
You wait on every corner turned
But the minute I ask your attention
You turn on your heels and I get burned
At least I know
At least I know
With you it's about the chase
You're not getting anything from me
With you it's about the chase
You're not getting anything from me
Like day and night I know this much is true
It's about the chase
Still every path it leads me back to you
It's about the chase
It's like a disease, I don't want to get well
I know it's not easy, but it's easy to tell
It's easy to tell with you
With you it's about the chase
You're not getting anything from me
With you it's about the chase
You're not getting anything - today
With you it's about the chase
Winter taught me you were my friend
When the spring came 'round I'd often wonder
Would the summer bring you back again
But now I know
With you it's about the chase
You're not getting anything from me
With you it's about the chase
You're not getting anything from me
I try to find a new direction
You wait on every corner turned
But the minute I ask your attention
You turn on your heels and I get burned
At least I know
At least I know
With you it's about the chase
You're not getting anything from me
With you it's about the chase
You're not getting anything from me
Like day and night I know this much is true
It's about the chase
Still every path it leads me back to you
It's about the chase
It's like a disease, I don't want to get well
I know it's not easy, but it's easy to tell
It's easy to tell with you
With you it's about the chase
You're not getting anything from me
With you it's about the chase
You're not getting anything - today
With you it's about the chase
11. Is It Love [nach oben]
"This chorus came into my head when I was walking down the street. It’s dead simple, but it has a Regina Spektor-like quality that still makes it powerful in its own way. The influences for this song are so many, we decided to go bananas with the production. From the Tom Petty-ish riff to the Beatles-sounding melody at the end of each verse, the choir at the end, orchestra, church organ… we really went all out."
Listen, I don't think I got this right
I thought we just had the time of our lives
One word from her and you're back in her arms
Listen, you thrill me so easily
I'm dizzy, stumbling, swept off of my feet
One word from her and you're back in her arms
But is it love?
Look at all that we've overcome
I was so sure it wasn't for fun
One word from her and you're back with her charms
Come home, leave it, it's not too late
But no more running in figures of eight
One word from her and you're back in her arms
But is it love?
I thought we just had the time of our lives
One word from her and you're back in her arms
Listen, you thrill me so easily
I'm dizzy, stumbling, swept off of my feet
One word from her and you're back in her arms
But is it love?
Look at all that we've overcome
I was so sure it wasn't for fun
One word from her and you're back with her charms
Come home, leave it, it's not too late
But no more running in figures of eight
One word from her and you're back in her arms
But is it love?
12. Steal My Heart [nach oben]
"I wrote this song while I was on the road, and started playing it in concerts very shortly after it was finished. I kept changing little parts of it along the way, but I always felt that my audience were really relating to, and getting, these lyrics. It’s such a thrill as a songwriter noticing that a song makes an impression on someone the very first time they hear it."
If you want to steal my heart
Steal it like you mean it
If you want to take a part
Then give me something to believe in
The road it ain't getting longer
My heart it ain't getting younger
For now the love that we made is a razorblade
And I don't want to hurt any longer
Let me hear it in your voice
Let there be no question
Leave me with no other choice
Than open up to let the light in
The road it ain't getting longer
My heart it ain't getting younger
For now the love that we made is a razorblade
And I don't want to hurt any longer
I'm crazy about you
So lonely without you
And I love you, I love you, I love you
Away with the trouble
Just make it simple
And I'll be anything that you want
So if you want to break my heart
Break it like you mean it
If you want our ways to part
Then turn away so I can see it
The road it ain't getting longer
My heart it ain't getting younger
For now the love that we made is a razorblade
And I don't want to hurt any longer
Steal it like you mean it
If you want to take a part
Then give me something to believe in
The road it ain't getting longer
My heart it ain't getting younger
For now the love that we made is a razorblade
And I don't want to hurt any longer
Let me hear it in your voice
Let there be no question
Leave me with no other choice
Than open up to let the light in
The road it ain't getting longer
My heart it ain't getting younger
For now the love that we made is a razorblade
And I don't want to hurt any longer
I'm crazy about you
So lonely without you
And I love you, I love you, I love you
Away with the trouble
Just make it simple
And I'll be anything that you want
So if you want to break my heart
Break it like you mean it
If you want our ways to part
Then turn away so I can see it
The road it ain't getting longer
My heart it ain't getting younger
For now the love that we made is a razorblade
And I don't want to hurt any longer
13. Poison Passion [nach oben]
"A young, famous Norwegian composer wrote this string arrangement. It still takes my breath away. I feel like the music in this arrangement tells the story just as much as the lyrics. And that brings us to the end of the record. Thank you for listening!"
You give me this and leave me alone here
Do you presume the battle's won?
I'll keep my head above the water
'til you admit the damage done
Dry shimmer dazzle afternoon
Your poison passion came too soon You waste what you think you own
You cry when you're still alone
I will not let you go destroy this
I won't allow a broken promise
You give me this and leave me wondering
Am I supposed to put my faith in
Dry shimmer dazzle afternoon
Your poison passion came too soon
You waste what you think you own
You cry when you're still alone
You cry when you're still alone
Do you presume the battle's won?
I'll keep my head above the water
'til you admit the damage done
Dry shimmer dazzle afternoon
Your poison passion came too soon You waste what you think you own
You cry when you're still alone
I will not let you go destroy this
I won't allow a broken promise
You give me this and leave me wondering
Am I supposed to put my faith in
Dry shimmer dazzle afternoon
Your poison passion came too soon
You waste what you think you own
You cry when you're still alone
You cry when you're still alone
