B i o g r a p h y
 (by Official Site)

One of the hallmarks of a great band is the consumate ease with which that group constantly strive to adapt, to evolve, to innovate; thereby ensuring that they never repeat themselves or do something tepid or commonplace. After the inordinate success of their debut album, the electronic shot in the arm that was Melody A.M., Röyksopp could have easily rested on their laurels, be content to shine their halos and just knocked out Melody A.M. part deux. Why just look at the riches that unfolded in the wake of that album's release in October 2001: 1,000,000 copies sold worldwide, 500,000 of them in the UK alone; tours with Basement Jaxx and Moby, not to mention headline tours of their own, culminating in two ecstatic nights at London's Somerset House and an appearance at Glastonbury; a Brit nomination for Best International Group; an MTV Europe Award for Best Video and remixes for A-list artists as disparate as The Streets, Coldplay and Felix Da Housecat. Thankfully, Torbjörn Brundtland and Svein Berge belong in the aforementioned group of venerated artists. That's why The Understanding, the duo's supposed 'difficult second album' lest we forget, is so special. Once more defying easy categorisation - it lurches from delicate widescreen cinerama to haunting house by way of boisterous electro bug outs - it is resolutely different to their first opus, but reassuringly the same in excellence. The same then, but even better. And whereas their curiosity on Melody A.M. took them from the producer's studio to the live arena, here their undeniable wanderlust has seen them assume the mantle of 21st Century electronic singer-songwriters. "We needed to do something different," explains Svein. "Something that was new to us, hence the lyrical approach." "We had to change our hairstyles though, we had to have bigger hair," says Torbjørn, thus confirming in one instant that their surreal humour remains intact. "At one point we even had proper beards, some of it still remains." Adds Svein. "You see, it's part of the process you go through: the longer the hair and the beard, the more beaujolais you drink. It's stage three of the seven stages of songwriting." Stage seven, the attainment of songwriting enlightenment, is still unclear should you ask.

But no matter, emboldened by their forays into playing live - "You can pop 'On The Road' on your CV," Svein helpfully states. "It's an icebreaker, it shows you've got life experience," - the confidence that they achieved 'On The Road!' meant that the only pressure they felt going into the studio to record The Understanding was that which was applied by the studio building's odd job man. Eh? "He was always trying to find repair work," Torbjörn says. "He would tell us that the bass drum was broken so we couldn't use it. He was the only one adding pressure. Seriously, who was supposed to add the pressure? The record buying public? I don't think so. The critics? We're not afraid of them. Our mindset, even on Melody A.M., has always been to do our own thing." It's an ethos that's served them well. First track, Triumphant, serves notice of their 'own thing': a highly charged, Eno-esque, piece of emotional ambience it sets the scene for the multi-textual layers that follow. Lead single Only This Moment, featuring new vocalist Kate Havnevik, is joyous robotic soul soaked in a sunshine irridesence, while the stretched grooves of 49 Percent betray a Prince-like fascination with Paisley Park psychedelic electro. Sombre Detune shows a darker side while Follow My Ruin is electronic body music gone pop, which by rights should sound dreadful. It doesn't. It's sublime. What Else Is There, fronted by Karin Dreijer from The Knife, evokes an eerie Kate Bush meets Bjõrk coupling and Alpha Male is this album's riposte to Röyksopp's Night Out, a gradual epic sweep redolent of John Carpenter giving way to a high octane rush. The shimmering narcolepsy of Dead To The World and Tristesse Globalle rounds affairs off beautifully, but with a title as playful as The Understanding, what does it all mean? For their part, Torbjørn and Svein aren't saying. Not for the time being anyway. "Yes there is meaning," Svein says. "But we believe there's room for your own interpretation. Listen to the album and see if you can come up with your own." Torbjørn: "It's like a classical painting like the Mona Lisa. When you tell people what they should look for, they only look at that thing." A cop out? Not a bit. Anyway, they plan to let everyone know the real meaning of the album at a symposium a few months down the line. "We'll hold the conference in Asia," Torbjørn proffers. So, having side-stepped the thorny issue of making Melody A.M. II - The Understanding is generated in a rawer, more direct way they suggest - which album do the pair prefer? "That would be like comparing my children," Torbjørn retorts. "Not that I have any." Svein takes the analogy one step further. Towards the gutter. "It's like trying to compare two testicles. One is not better than the other. Both are vital to the Röyksopp anatomy." Röyksopp: The Understanding. It's good to have them back. Different, but the same. The same, but better. Onwards and upwards... Röyksopp - The Understanding is released on the 4th July 2005 (Wall Of Sound). Live shows to be announced soon.




Melody A.M.
- 2001 -

So Easy
Eple ( Instrumental )
Sparks
In Space ( Instrumental )
Poor Leno
Higher Place ( Instrumental )
Röyksopp's Night Out ( Instrumental )
Remind Me
She's So ( Instrumental )
40 Years Back/Come ( Instrumental )
 

The Understanding
- 2005 -

Triumphant ( Instrumental )
Only This Moment
49 Percent
Sombre Detune ( Instrumental )
Follow My Ruin
Beautiful Day Without You
What Else Is There
Circuit Breaker
Alpha Male ( Instrumental )
Someone Like Me
Dead To The World
Tristesse Globale ( Instrumental )
 

Non Albums Tracks
- Misc -

Don't Give Up
Go away

Go With The Flow

Add some NEW lyrics (B-sides, live tracks, Cover), want to CORRECT some of them or found a BUG ? Just send a little EMAIL or simply post a message on the FORUM. Thanx !

Melody A.M.

So Easy

Blue on blue, heartache on heartache
Blue on blue, now that we are through

(Phone noise)

Hello?
Yeah it's me
I wanna give you some good frequencies
1710, 2.6, 2245...
Yeah
3032, 400
Four hundred?
Yeah.
I'm coming right over.
Do that.
I'll be there in two seconds.

(Phone down)

Sparks

No matter gay or grim
It's those tiny little sparks
Daily life that makes me
Forgot my wounded heart

It doesn't matter when
It may rain or it may shine
Blurred memories of us
Come back from time to time

No matter gay or grim
It's those tiny little sparks
Daily life that makes me
Forgot my wounded heart

It doesn't matter when
It may rain or it may shine
Blurred memories of us
Come back from time to time

No matter gay or grim
It's those tiny little sparks
Daily life that makes me
Forgot my sulky heart

It doesn't matter when
It may rain or it may shine
But you will always be here
Stored inside my mind

Come, I'll give you all my love
Suck some air
Tell me what I'm dreaming of
Oh, whoa, oh...

Maybe within a thousand years
You'll be here
Maybe within a thousand tears
Oh, whoa, oh...

Can I be so alone?
Can I be so alone?

Oh, whoa..
La la la la...

Poor Leno

Poor Leno
Where you'll be, I'll go
Where you'll be, I'll know
Where you'll be, I'll find you

Poor Leno
Where you'll be, I'll go
Where you'll be, I'll know
Where you'll be, I'll find you

Poor Leno
Where you'll be, I'll go
Where you'll be, I'll know
Where you'll be, I'll find you

Poor Leno
Where you'll be, I'll go
Where you'll be, I'll know
Where you'll be, I'll find you

Poor Leno
Where you'll be, I'll go
Where you'll be, I'll know
Where you'll be, I'll find you

Poor Leno
Have you due in time
Reunite as one
Please, I almost find you

Poor Leno
Where you'll be, I'll go
Where you'll be, I'll know
Where you'll be, I'll find you

Poor Leno
Having to be told
Being nine years old
Means I'll always find you

*** Thanx a lot to Khalil for this one ***

Remind Me

It’s only been a week
The rush of being home in rapid fading
The failing to recall
What I was missing all that time in England

Has sent me aimlessly
On foot or by the help of transportation
To knock on windows where
My friend no longer live, I had forgotten

And everywhere I go
There’s always something to remind me
Of another place in time
Where love that travelled far had found me

We stayed outside ‘till two
Waiting for the light to come back
We didn’t talk I knew
Until you asked what I was thinking
Until you asked what I was thinking

Brave men tell the truth
The wise men tools are analogies and puzzles
A woman holds her tongue
Knowing silence will speak for her

Brave men tell the truth
The wise men tools are analogies and puzzles
A woman holds her tongue
Knowing silence will speak for her
Will speak for her

And everywhere I go
There’s always something to remind me
Of another place in time
Where love that travelled far had found me

The Understanding

Only This Moment

Ok
Only this moment
Holds us together
Close to perfection
Nothing else out there
No one to guide us
Lost in our senses
Deep down inside I know our love will die
Ok

Only this moment
Holds us together
Lost in confusion
Feelings are out there
Scared of devotion
Doubting intensions
Deep down inside i know our love will die

Stay or forever go
Play or you'll never know
What heaven decided
You can't deny
It's all you've been waiting for
Ok

Stay or forever go
Play or you'll never know
Your spirit's divided
You will decide
If I'm all you've been waiting for

Clouds in my head have been parted with grace
By the voice of an angel revealing her face
And her words they make sense and I do understand
Falling in love isn't a part of a plan

Forces within me mix reason with lust
But I'll try to accept that and not make it worse
'Cause I know I might loose it by taking the chance
But love without pain isn't really romance
Ok

Only this moment
Holds us together
Close to perfection
Nothing else out there
Always beside her
Trusting my senses
Deep down inside I know love will survive

Only this moment
Holds us together
Close to perfection
Nothing else out there
Always beside her
Trusting my senses
Deep down inside I know love will survive
Ok

49 Percent

Forty-nine percent
One percent short of half
And less than half
Ain't really much of nothing

Forty-nine percent
One percent short of half
And less than half
Ain't really much of nothing

I won't try to dent you right
Or stop your flight
I've known our plight
You know I'm right
I know about your little fling
How you hide your ring
You senseless thing
I'll cut this string
The heat has simmered for a while
It's not my style
So versatile and with a smile
At anytime, I could explode
When you kissed your toad
You kissed your princely episode

Forty-nine percent
One percent short of half
And less than half
Ain't really much of nothing

Forty-nine percent
One percent short of half
And less than half
Ain't really much of nothing

Bit off more than one could bite
And the taste is slight
It leaves this dullish appetite
About time I've finally seen the light
And said goodnight
For the sling is tight
We'll lose this fight
In a corner painted white
As you fly your kite
I shun the sight, i've seen the light
And now i've got to say goodnight
You know I'm right

Forty-nine percent
One percent short of half
And less than half
Ain't really much of nothing

Forty-nine percent
One percent short of half
And less than half
Ain't really much of nothing

I won't try to stop you flight
Or change your night or nothing
Less than half
Why won't you try
To make this damage better

Math and imagery
Equates cacophony
Multiplies muteness
A sum better disturbed
For silence subtracts
And shadows divide light
Less than half is slight

Math and imagery
Equates cacophony
Multiplies muteness
A sum better disturbed
For silence subtracts
And shadows divide light
Less than half is slight

The heat has simmered for a while
The heat has simmered for a while
The heat has simmered for a while
The heat has simmered for a while
The heat has simmered for a while

Forty-nine percent
One percent short of half
And less than half
Ain't really much of nothing

Forty-nine percent
One percent short of half
And less than half
Ain't really much of nothing

I won't try to stop you flight
Or chage your night or nothing
Less than half
Why won't you try
To make this damage better

Forty-nine percent
One percent short of half
And less than half
Ain't really much of nothing

Oh forty-nine percent
One percent short of half
And less than half
Ain't really much of nothing, yeah

The heat has simmered for a while
The heat has simmered for a while
The heat has simmered for a while

Follow My Ruin

Down below a faded glow
Vibrant key without a tone
Realise in here it's cold
I can only let it snow

Words were said so long ago
Left a mark, an open sore
You go fast, I'm burnin' slow
Hate to say, I knew you'd go

So much going on
And I wish to hold on
So much going on
And I cannot let go

Past the trees that hide our love
Hurry now its time to go
Make this moment matter more
Show me like you did before

Revolting in a broken home
Holding on to what we own
Worlds collide and cause a storm
Still I wish I could hold on

Words were said so long ago
Face defeat and take the blow
So naive now I know more
Won't forget the things before

So much going on
And I wish to hold on
So much going on
And I cannot let go
Cannot let go...

Beautiful Day Without You

Living on my guard (guarded)
Wind is on my neck (fate less)
Sun is on my face (have courage)
Beautiful day without you (ah)

Like rays of gold (I honestly can)
Now can I (forget the pain)

Living on my guard (guarded)
Wind is on my neck (fate less)
Sun is on my face (have courage)
Beautiful day without you (without you)

Feeling spoiled
In this world
Fighting beliefs
Now can I

I
Know
My
Tragedy

Notion took about
Still I wonder how
Morning after rain
Clear away the pain

Then after all
When all are gone
It's plain to see
Just who we are
In the light of hate
The way we talk
Enacting shame
Causing harm
Defend yourself
And keep your guard
We realize
We belong apart
'Cause we entice
We've got ways of knowing

Living on my guard (guarded)
Wind is on my neck (fate less)
Sun is on my face (have courage)
Beautiful day without you (ah)

Like rays of gold (I honestly can)
Now can I (forget the pain)

Living on my guard (guarded)
Wind is on my neck (fate less)
Sun is on my face (have courage)
Beautiful day without you (without you)

Feeling spoiled in this world
Fighting beliefs
Now can I

When I'm alone
And all are gone
The painted leaves
Onto the sun
In the light of god
I see myself
Improving things
Oh every day
The open sky
The breathing stars
When .... Come
In a world apart
'Cause in these times
There's no way of knowing

Living on my guard (guarded)
Wind is on my neck (fate less)
Sun is on my face (have courage)
Beautiful day without you (ah)

Like rays of gold (I honestly can)
Now can I (forget the pain)

Living on my guard (guarded)
Wind is on my neck (fate less)
Sun is on my face (have courage)
A beautiful day without you (without you)

And still I'm spoiled
Feeling refined
This beautiful day
Makes me sigh...

*** Thanx a lot to Vanessa for this one ***

What Else Is There

It was me on that road
But you couldn't see me
Too many lights on, but nowhere near here
It was me on that road
Still you couldn't see me
And then flashlights and explosions

Road's end getting nearer
We cover distance but not together
I am the storm and I am the wonder
And the flashlights, nightmares
And sudden explosions

I don't know what more to ask for
I was given just one wish

It's about you and the sun
A morning run
The story of my maker
What I have and what I ache for
I've got a golden ear
I cut and I spear
And what else is there

Road's end getting nearer
We cover distance still not together
If I am the storm, if I am the wonder
Will I have flashlights, nightmares
And sudden explosions

There is no room I can go and
You've got secrets too

I don't know what more to ask for
I was given just one wish

Circuit Breaker

What is that vitalizing sound
Calling me
In my head
Repeatedly
What is that visionary sight
Before my eyes
So prominent
So mesmerizing turbulent

You've got a hold on me
Your ingenuity
Seems to be driving me down on my knees
The force you generate
You reinvigorate
Your body talks and overstates

Well I'm already drawn
Close to the divine
Intoxicating images are rushing through my mind
Embodiment of sin
Has kindled me within
Sensations seems to multiply
They're building up inside

Cutting through the night
Radiating light
I've seen you move the crowd
I know what you're about
The stories I have heard
The talk about excess
I know what people say
But surely you impress

Charismatic pill
You elevated sun
Vanity and pride
Added into one
A universal force
An autonomic high
A thing I can't control
No matter how I try

What have you done to me
This candid chemistry
Emotions running over me
And when you arch your back
Just with a stare like that
Well it's natural to interact

Well I'm not holding back
Ready to commence
Caught up in your blizzard
So confusing and intense
Synergy of two
Energy gone wild
See the stars align
To spell your name out in the sky

Never seen this sight
So fascinated by it
A symmetry between
Dirty and pristine
Calling out so loud
Beautiful and true
Mystery about
Everything you do

Charismatic drug
You elevated sun
Vanity and pride
Added into one
A universal force
An autonomic high
A thing I can't control
No matter how I try

This electricity
Injected into me
Emotions running over me
And when you're getting close
You touch my innermost
A feeling deep inside me knows

Wonders of delight
Cutting through the night
Known you got it all
I can't do without
Burning in my veins
Ripping through my soul
I'll never be the same
A secret can't be told

Charismatic pill
You elevated sun
Vanity and pride
Added into one
A universal force
An autonomic high
A thing I can't control
No matter how I try

Someone like me

Someone like me
With someone like you
How unlikely
Too good to be true

Someone like me
With someone like you
How unlikely
Too Good to be true

Something's be trying to hold me down
And leave me no hope on the battleground
I'm knocking on doors, "Come on", let me in
Desperately craving the feminine
Then you came to me
Genuinely
How could I get Lucy like this
What have i done

This type of things is just a fantasy
The story is laid out so wretchedly
Like out of a film or a magazine
Appeal to the classical masculine
But gradually
It's dawning on me
This isn't like a dream
This is for real

Being yourself
What does that mean
Seeing yourself is the hardest thing

Someone like me
With someone like you
How unlikely
Too good to be true

Timing your movements so accurately
Hearing you breathing so musically
Unity strengthening rapidly
Knowing you'll always come back to me
You're never to close
Or far away
Perfect somewhere in-between
Vintage machine

Seeing it's already time to leave
I got to go out, i need space to breathe
Go before everything's caving in
Understand that, oh my heroine
But someone like you
So hard to believe
Sure this is not just a dream
Wake up and see

Being yourself is a lonely thing
If you never pick it up and just let it ring
Someone like me
It's what i've always dreamed of
With someone like you
More than satisfactory
How unlikely
It's real you're here beside me
Too good to be true
Come on, let's share this moment

Dead To The World

In the dead of the night you seem closer to me
The next day I wake up and know how unreal it is
Feeling so tense like I'm caught in a corner
You can't speak but I can hear you calling
I come back for you

I've been dead to the world and I've chosen to be
Inside under pillows with marvels and wonders
Sedating my will to exist in the open
I don't move but I keep on moving
I'm only with you

*** Thanx a lot to Jean-Paul for this one ***

Non Albums Tracks

Don't Give Up

( The Whitest Boy Alive cover / Live at Black Sessions 03-04-2002 )

Give me a reason to stay constantly ignored
Give me an angle that I haven't tried before
A guarantee for being honestly compared
You want to live when life is achingly unfair

Don't make a move you'll look ridiculous again
You share no interest but it's easy to pretend
Don't start the action it will turn against you soon
No one is going to follow and you'll stand there like a fool

Don't give up
Don't give up

Don't give up
Don't give up

You left the people when the people left you out
Back in the suburbs you're craving for the crowd
Only minded now with defeats of yesterday
The mantra spinning in your head will keep it raised

Give me a reason to stay constantly ignored
I don't think I can
Give me an angle that I haven't tried before
Not from where I stand
A guarantee for being honestly compared
Could not be found
You want to live when life is achingly unfair
Stick around

Don't give up
Don't give up
Don't give up
Don't give up
Don't give up
Don't give up
Don't give up
Don't give up
Don't give up
Don't give up

Don't give up
I don't think I can
Don't give up
I don't think I can
Don't give up
I don't think I can
Don't give up
I don't think I can
Don't give up
I don't think I can
Don't give up
Don't give up
Don't give up

*** Thanx a lot to Jose for this one ***

Go away

I don’t want nothing from you
I don’t wanna know you
I had time to find out
What you’re all about

Every time I turn around
Your face is in the paper
Your voice is on the air
And all the stations later
Guess you are everywhere

It don’t mean shit to me
Just wanna make it clear

Just go away
Don’t wanna see your face
Just go away
Don’t wanna hear your name
Just go away
Don’t wanna see your face
Just go away
On the any any way

Your face gets around me
You just don’t stun me
I’m not interested
With the time you invested

As I turn around
Your face is in the paper
Your voice is on the air
And all the stations later
Guess you are everywhere

It don’t mean shit to me
Just wanna make it clear

Just go away
Don’t wanna see your face
Just go away
Don’t wanna hear your name
Just go away
Don’t wanna see your face
Just go away
On the any any way

Just go away
Don’t wanna see your face
Just go away
Don’t wanna hear your name
Just go away
Don’t wanna see your face
Just go away
On the any any way

You’re coming on too strong
The way you carry on
Just leave a little peace
This … must now seize

I was here, I was fine
I was doing it alright
Now you’re in my head
The feeling inside is dead

I was safe, blissful peace
Staying in my home-world
Now that’s history
See what you’re doing to me

Just go away
Don’t wanna see your face
Just go away
Don’t wanna hear your name
Just go away
Don’t wanna see your face 
Just go away
On the any any way

Just go away
I’m not in it anyway...

Go With The Flow

( Queens Of The Stone Age cover / Röyksopp's Night Out Live EP )

She said "I'll throw myself away
They're just photos after all"
I can't make you hang around
I can't wash you off my skin

Outside the frame
Is what we're leaving out
You won't remember anyway

I can go with the flow
Don't say it doesn't matter with the flow (matter anymore)
I can go with the flow (I can go)
Do you believe it in your head

It's so safe to play along
Little soldiers in a row
Falling in and out of love
It's something sweet to throw away

I want something good to die for
To make it beautiful to live
I want a new mistake, lose is more than hesitate
Do you believe it in your head

I can go with the flow
Don't say it doesn't matter with the flow (matter anymore)
I can go with the flow
Do you believe it in your head
Do you believe it in your head
Do you believe it in your head

*** Thanx a lot to Jose for this one ***

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