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Kings of Convenience — Misread
Album: Riot on an Empty Street
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1616









Released: 2004
Length: 3:04
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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If you want to be my friend
You want us to get along
Please do not expect me to
Wrap it up and keep it there
The observation I am doing could
Easily be understood
As cynical demeanor
But one of us misread

And what do you know
It happened again

A friend is not a means
You utilize to get somewhere
Somehow I didn't notice
Friendship is an end
What do you know
It happened again

How come no-one told me
All throughout history
The loneliest people
Were the ones who always spoke the truth
The ones who made a difference
By withstanding the indifference
I guess it's up to me now
Should I take that risk or just smile?

What do you know
It happened again
What do you know
Comments (122)add comment
Seems the girl wants to be the queen of the winner, while being the loser's girlfriend.
Posted 1 year ago by awado    [ Reply ]
 jelgator wrote:



This GIF always makes me chuckle.  But this is a good song.


settle down Belushi..
always overly dramatic and paid to be.
Posted 1 year ago by shhhh777    [ Reply ]
 sfyi2001 wrote:





This GIF always makes me chuckle.  But this is a good song.
Posted 2 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]


Posted 3 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
 Alpine wrote:

The guy that's looking at the woman is getting his ass kicked in that chess game.  The woman is the girlfriend of the guy lookin at the camera.  That woman is just teasing the guy looking at her.  Her boyfriend knows it.  Later, the three of them are going out for drinks where they will get the other guy shit faced and set him up with that womans friend from work.



I like the different "Queen's Gambit" plot twist in this take on the cover art. 
Posted 3 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
 Alpine wrote:

The guy that's looking at the woman is getting his ass kicked in that chess game.  The woman is the girlfriend of the guy lookin at the camera.  That woman is just teasing the guy looking at her.  Her boyfriend knows it.  Later, the three of them are going out for drinks where they will get the other guy shit faced and set him up with that womans friend from work.

 
After which they'll have a discussion about their shared preference for earth tones.
Posted 3 years ago by garyalex    [ Reply ]
I adore this song. It's ended up in my heavy rotation
Posted 4 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
Loving this simple groove again ... it’s a 10 now
Posted 4 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
Nice groove through this awesome track. With talent like this, we need to promote this to those folk that say they can’t appreciate music. 🎶 Pass it on folks >>>>>
Posted 4 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
 Mackmoney3000 wrote:
They insist on playing chess on the floor. Even the coffee table is right there behind them? Seems trivial to place it there and avoid someone kicking it or whatever


The song is fine too
 

They're just anti-furniture. Except for that guy on the right. He's the rebel.
Posted 4 years ago by William    [ Reply ]
The top for me ! The band is now over (sad...) but if you like it, you can hear the news bands they have created separetely : The Whitest boy alive, The Kommode, Erlend Oye (alone)...
Posted 5 years ago by Pipouch    [ Reply ]
They insist on playing chess on the floor. Even the coffee table is right there behind them? Seems trivial to place it there and avoid someone kicking it or whatever


The song is fine too
Posted 6 years ago by Mackmoney3000    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:
i like this better every time i hear it.

 
hmmmm true, may I have this dance? : )
Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Erland Oye is Oyeyeahhhhhhh!!!!
Posted 7 years ago by Shaggy27    [ Reply ]
 gmichaelt wrote:

So much so that it appears that his king is doubly in check—which is impossible, given that it's a pawn and a knight doing the checking, and they're doing it simultaneously. Something must be distracting someone.
BillG wrote:

Found a better copy of the cover art — that's a second rook that's threatened by the knight & pawn, not the king. But black is still down a rook no matter how he plays it. 

 
Is that what's called a misread then?  I love pictures on album covers that convey a story of some sort, and this one adds to the story of the album.  Unfortunately for me, the term 'misread' is one I use at work at least 10-15 times a day (I work on misread electric meters and correcting bills)

Happy Friday!!


Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 gmichaelt wrote:

So much so that it appears that his king is doubly in check—which is impossible, given that it's a pawn and a knight doing the checking, and they're doing it simultaneously. Something must be distracting someone.

 
Found a better copy of the cover art — that's a second rook that's threatened by the knight & pawn, not the king. But black is still down a rook no matter how he plays it. 
Posted 7 years ago by William    [ Reply ]
 Alpine wrote:

The guy that's looking at the woman is getting his ass kicked in that chess game.
 
So much so that it appears that his king is doubly in check—which is impossible, given that it's a pawn and a knight doing the checking, and they're doing it simultaneously. Something must be distracting someone.
Posted 7 years ago by gmichaelt    [ Reply ]
Never heard this before but I like it.  Must have had my head in the sand.
 
Posted 9 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
exquisite       does not go on long enough

 
it does.  on the rest of the album.  whole thing is great.
Posted 9 years ago by myersei    [ Reply ]
exquisite       does not go on long enough
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Mmmmm samba.
Posted 10 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:

Yes, it is important to me, too, that I hang out with good looking people.

 
Hey it helps if you're looking for some action. And somebody's gonna get down on the shag rug of that album cover migh-ty soon. 
Posted 10 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Very solid LP this
Posted 11 years ago by dingleberry    [ Reply ]
 Art_Carnage wrote:
Elevator music. And it's a boring elevator.
 
That's cold.  ; )
I happen to like it.
Posted 11 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
one of the best songs ever!
Posted 11 years ago by michelle93    [ Reply ]
Hmmm, not sure about these guys - a little lame!
Posted 11 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
i like this better every time i hear it.
Posted 11 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
He should really use his inhaler-or quit jogging in place.
Posted 11 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
Charlotte Rampling-esque temptress, in the moment of diversion he sweeps across the board, his Queen taking mine, leaving me without an active chance of check
Posted 11 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Elevator music. And it's a boring elevator.
Posted 11 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
My feet can't keep still. Starting at a solid 7 but could move up.
Posted 11 years ago by MuzikLover    [ Reply ]
Lovely track, enjoyed the piano....perfect way to set the tone for the morning.
Posted 11 years ago by rssarma    [ Reply ]
I'm happy for listening to this song
Posted 11 years ago by vrd    [ Reply ]
nice
 
Posted 11 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
I really grew to like this song. The whole album is really nice. Good for dinner with friends, or, strangely, on a long plane flight
Posted 11 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
SH=t not often I have to reach for the off BUTTON but this is one of them sounds like the backing to all YouTube video's the must insert the annoying Ban Bang Banging of whatever their called but it  certainly aint 'percussion'' as I understand it. (has it finished) ??
Posted 11 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
like!
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Belongs on the soundtrack to a bad mumblecore flick...
Posted 12 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
very nice!
Posted 12 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
I likes it a lot
Posted 12 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 Byronape wrote:

I really hate it when that happens.  Nothing spoils an evening like an attack from the living dead.

 
 

Arrgh. Curse their sudden, but inevitable deception...
Posted 12 years ago by smackiepipe    [ Reply ]
sounds like an ad for Facebook
Posted 12 years ago by Dog_Ear    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

{#Yes} That seems like the most likely scenario.  However, their impish plan will be foiled when the zombies attack from the kitchenette behind the young lady.

 
I really hate it when that happens.  Nothing spoils an evening like an attack from the living dead.

 
Posted 12 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
 sradrew wrote:
Wish I was hanging in their living room.  Very good looking people.  Nice music, too.
 
Yes, it is important to me, too, that I hang out with good looking people.
Posted 12 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Wish I was hanging in their living room.  Very good looking people.  Nice music, too.
Posted 12 years ago by sradrew    [ Reply ]
Me too.
Posted 12 years ago by Maenno    [ Reply ]
I adore this band.
Posted 12 years ago by Lilygirl    [ Reply ]
 Alpine wrote:

The guy that's looking at the woman is getting his ass kicked in that chess game.  The woman is the girlfriend of the guy lookin at the camera.  That woman is just teasing the guy looking at her.  Her boyfriend knows it.  Later, the three of them are going out for drinks where they will get the other guy shit faced and set him up with that woman's friend from work.

 
{#Yes} That seems like the most likely scenario.  However, their impish plan will be foiled when the zombies attack from the kitchenette behind the young lady.

Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
when did The Dream Academy change singers?
Posted 13 years ago by MiracleDrug    [ Reply ]
Such a great album. Easy listening, sing along, do a little groovin'. Badly produced though.

Posted 13 years ago by trissi    [ Reply ]
This music is like nutella spread on honey graham crackers to my ears.
Posted 13 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]


I really enjoyed hearing this on my MP3 player while recently on vacation in Hilton Head, SC. Thanks, RP! 
Posted 13 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Wow, I was just listening to this album a couple of days ago. I love it. Love Feist on it. First time I heard her voice was on this album...
Posted 13 years ago by teapot    [ Reply ]
this whole album is a masterpiece... whenever I need some calm in my life, I put this one, especially when driving.

Btw, I should mention that I found about these guys through RP 3-4 years ago.
Posted 13 years ago by dead_flowers    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of Oren Lavie. I like this.
Posted 13 years ago by eruwenolorien    [ Reply ]
"The loneliest people are the ones who always speak the truth" — a song for Richard M. Stallman.
Posted 13 years ago by spacemoose    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:
The album cover portrays quite a tale of woe. One guy is very interested in playing chess but his playing partner has been distracted by a woman in the room, who is giving him a 'come-hither' look. The chess enthusiast displays his distress as he looks into the camera. I'd be willing to bet that the woman in the room is the chess enthusiast's sister.

 
The guy that's looking at the woman is getting his ass kicked in that chess game.  The woman is the girlfriend of the guy lookin at the camera.  That woman is just teasing the guy looking at her.  Her boyfriend knows it.  Later, the three of them are going out for drinks where they will get the other guy shit faced and set him up with that womans friend from work.

Posted 13 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
I could hear this song playing over the opening credits of a movie from the 1970s, while Mike and the 'bots heckle it.
Posted 13 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
And beautiful lady sez:    " Your playing for WHAT !?!?!? "
Posted 13 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:
The album cover portrays quite a tale of woe. One guy is very interested in playing chess but his playing partner has been distracted by a woman in the room, who is giving him a 'come-hither' look. The chess enthusiast displays his distress as he looks into the camera. I'd be willing to bet that the woman in the room is the chess enthusiast's sister.

 
This amuses me... I am both a chess enthusiast and a woman enthusiast so I get both viewpoints...

Posted 13 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
The album cover portrays quite a tale of woe. One guy is very interested in playing chess but his playing partner has been distracted by a woman in the room, who is giving him a 'come-hither' look. The chess enthusiast displays his distress as he looks into the camera. I'd be willing to bet that the woman in the room is the chess enthusiast's sister.

Posted 13 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Would like to hear more of them here on RP!!  One of my favorite bands!

Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 choiceimage wrote:

Retro is where it's at.
 
Is that retro is where it was?

. . . confused. . .  
Posted 14 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
For me, one of the best bands in Europe i heared the last years! Very nice! Check " Quite is the new loud" from KoC!
Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Style is a slight bit reminiscent of Antonio Carlos Jobim. It's nice...like it a lot.
Posted 14 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Love these guys. This album is one of my favorites. Thanks for playing KoC!
Posted 14 years ago by teapot    [ Reply ]
 rickhoran wrote:
nice song. i really like the art work, its got a 60's album cover look.

 
Retro is where it's at.

Posted 14 years ago by choiceimage    [ Reply ]
This production is quite impressive!
Posted 14 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]

Thought this was Nick Drake before checking the playlist.


Posted 14 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
nice song. i really like the art work, its got a 60's album cover look.

Posted 14 years ago by rickhoran    [ Reply ]
Nice - never heard this before..
Posted 14 years ago by jools    [ Reply ]
 Tana wrote:
Sounds so '60s, which is not a bad thing, just a little anachronistic.
 
Oh sure, any chance to use the word "anachronistic".  ; )


Posted 14 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Sounds so '60s, which is not a bad thing, just a little anachronistic.
Posted 14 years ago by Tana    [ Reply ]
Awesome...lunchtime goodness
Posted 14 years ago by Brooky    [ Reply ]
 auburntigerrich wrote:
Strummin' goodness.  I may need to look into this era of Kings more closely.

Dude on the left is getting "the look" from book girl...  yowza!
 
While the other guy is getting a grump on after spending a week getting that hunky beard going and still getting beat by the gangly guy in glasses.


Posted 15 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
Throwaway Starbucks background music, but harmless enough.  6
Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
 auburntigerrich wrote:

Dude on the left is getting "the look" from book girl...  yowza!


 
Yeah, really.  To hell with that damn chess match, buddy.


Posted 15 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 Mandible wrote:

Yeah, what is that look all about?
 
Methinks she's quite obviously wanting to do the nasty...
Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Strummin' goodness.  I may need to look into this era of Kings more closely.

Dude on the left is getting "the look" from book girl...  yowza!


Posted 15 years ago by auburntigerrich    [ Reply ]
Thank you Bill for putting this song back into RP circulation.
Posted 15 years ago by papaman    [ Reply ]
All their albums are great.  Also check out "The Whitest Boy Alive".
Posted 15 years ago by jakewhite77    [ Reply ]
Classic style over substance - these guys are inspired to capture a mood and a look, not to make actual music. Artistically on a par with an Audrey Hepburn halloween costume on a chubby guy - delightful if you choose to see it that way, embarrassing otherwise.

Posted 15 years ago by jedley    [ Reply ]
Makes me want to go to Starbucks.
Posted 15 years ago by coffee-eyes    [ Reply ]

Yeah, what is that look all about?
Posted 15 years ago by Mandible    [ Reply ]
Nice song. But there's something about women who sit there like that... mmm...


Posted 15 years ago by Carl    [ Reply ]
 Yuna wrote:
The leadsinger Erlend Oye has a new band called Whitest Boy Alive. Their first Album Dreams (it came out last summer) is also great!!!
 
Thanks Yuna! Big fan of Mr Oye so will definitely check it out :)


Posted 15 years ago by hunthunthunt    [ Reply ]
 davyjrshort wrote:
Makes me want to groove in a freshly purchased IKEA chair...
 
LOL! 

This album is great. You'd think it would get tiring after a while but there is a really nice flow and great songwriting throughout. Check out "I'D Rather Dance With You." Great video for that one. At first I freaked how much these guys sound like Simon and Garfunkel, but once I sorted that out, I really got into them.
Posted 16 years ago by jnhashmi    [ Reply ]
Great album for snuggling with a lovely lady :)
Posted 17 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
Love this song...this is how I discovered Feist...from listening to these guys. She sings on the album. Great singer-songwriters from Norway.
Posted 17 years ago by teapot    [ Reply ]
Pipes wrote:
In a word, wimpy.
You so non-wimpy. Impressive.
Posted 17 years ago by veegez    [ Reply ]
Faraway wrote:
yeah! That's an easy tune. More!
:)
Posted 17 years ago by Kerly    [ Reply ]
In a word, wimpy.
Posted 17 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]
The leadsinger Erlend Oye has a new band called Whitest Boy Alive. Their first Album Dreams (it came out last summer) is also great!!!
Posted 17 years ago by Yuna    [ Reply ]
supergroverx wrote:
10. I'm obsessed with these guys and their mellow, tuneful scandiness. quiet & versus are great too, but this disc is my fave. Are they due for a new release soon?
You're not the only one. These guys are great!
Posted 17 years ago by KamikazeRudy    [ Reply ]
10. I'm obsessed with these guys and their mellow, tuneful scandiness. quiet & versus are great too, but this disc is my fave. Are they due for a new release soon?
Posted 17 years ago by supergroverx    [ Reply ]
First I've heard of these guys. This is a great song, thanks for posting the lyrics down there.. Very cool name for a band.
Posted 17 years ago by ktnsb    [ Reply ]
Makes me want to groove in a freshly purchased IKEA chair... I have/love the versus album, totally recommend, super good for a running beat.
Posted 17 years ago by davyjrshort    [ Reply ]
yeah! That's an easy tune. More!
Posted 18 years ago by Faraway    [ Reply ]
...I guess that in K.O.C. hi-fi you can find a Simon&Garfunkle's cd..... it's ok anyway....good vibrations!
Posted 18 years ago by exciter76    [ Reply ]
This is excellent. Another great find from RP.
Posted 18 years ago by Cinimod    [ Reply ]
Nice room they have.
Posted 18 years ago by Whirlpool    [ Reply ]
This is so laid-back. Could it be that all those oil dollars are making the Norwegians lazy?
Posted 18 years ago by sub-arctic    [ Reply ]
Damn those norwegians, they sure know how to write catchy little ditty songs like this.
Posted 18 years ago by Darkmatter    [ Reply ]
thewiseking wrote:
another homage to the brilliant bachrach/david songwriting team. its interesting how 60s pop of this calibre, the stuff the boomers parents dug on, has been rediscovered as cool, as alot of the rock and roll of the period has become so dated.
Obviously, kings of wisdom and convenience groove together.
Posted 18 years ago by FamilyMan    [ Reply ]
I don't know much of Kings of Convenience, but I always seem to enjoy them. This tune reminds me vaguely of The Ocean Blue (who should also be played more often on RP).
Posted 18 years ago by byrd    [ Reply ]
another homage to the brilliant bachrach/david songwriting team. its interesting how 60s pop of this calibre, the stuff the boomers parents dug on, has been rediscovered as cool, as alot of the rock and roll of the period has become so dated.
Posted 19 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
This makes me move in my chair, my arms moving like a Peanuts character's might.
Posted 19 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
Platypus wrote:
this track and a few others on the album manage to tread that fine line between extremely cheesy lite-rock lounge music and "cool"... some of the other tracks defintely fall way over to the bad side though, unfortunately. maybe they'll grow on me. kitschy. catchy.
you read my mind
Posted 19 years ago by elokin2141    [ Reply ]
RichardPrins wrote:
8) Reminds me of EBTG too...
That's a very interesting observation!
Posted 19 years ago by resonator    [ Reply ]
How did you know I had been humming this song today? Damn, what a great radio station.
Posted 19 years ago by resonator    [ Reply ]
STYLE COUNCIL...?
Posted 19 years ago by Foreverfree    [ Reply ]
Great great great great playlist today. I'm loving all this with the Kings and whatnot.
Posted 19 years ago by Trustocity    [ Reply ]
This song sounds like it belongs on a modern day "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Nice, smooth, relaxing. Glad I got introduced to this band.
Posted 19 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Platypus wrote:
this track and a few others on the album manage to tread that fine line between extremely cheesy lite-rock lounge music and "cool"... some of the other tracks defintely fall way over to the bad side though, unfortunately. maybe they'll grow on me. kitschy. catchy.
Agreed, but this song itself is absolutely brilliant. The music and songwriting is flawless.
If you wanna be my friend, you want us to get along. Please do not expect me to wrap it up and keep it there. The observation I am doing could easily be understood as cynical demeanour. But one of us misread... And what do you know, it happened again. A friend is not a means you utilize to get somewhere. Somehow I didn't notice - friendship is an end. What do you know, it happened again. How come no one told me all throughout history, the loneliest people Were the ones who always spoke the truth. The ones who made a difference by withstanding the indifference. I guess it's up to me now, should I take that risk or just smile? What do you know, it happened again. What do you know?
Some of the best lyrics I've read, IMO - even if short.
Posted 19 years ago by Gish05    [ Reply ]
this track and a few others on the album manage to tread that fine line between extremely cheesy lite-rock lounge music and "cool"... some of the other tracks defintely fall way over to the bad side though, unfortunately. maybe they'll grow on me. kitschy. catchy.
Posted 19 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by Gish05    [ Reply ]
8) Reminds me of EBTG too...
Posted 19 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
Great song. Recently hear a song by them & Emiliana Torrini.
Posted 19 years ago by resonator    [ Reply ]
Hey! Isn't that Frodo?? Return of the Kings of Convenience?? Sorry, I MISREAD that.
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
can someone upload some tracks from versus or quiet is the new loud?
Posted 19 years ago by abbefaith    [ Reply ]