Somebody to Love: Jose Gonzalez

I was just reminded of Swedish singer/songwriter Jose Gonzalez while reading Brooklyn Vegan's post on Jesse B. Marchant. While I have yet to check out J.B.M., I'm still enjoying Gonzalez's cover of The Knife's "Heartbeats". Any person who even considers getting a PhD in biochemistry while still having time to focus on music, like Mr. Gonzalez, is otherworldly in my book from the get-go, but then thrown down the fact that he started in a Black Flag, Dead Kennedys-inspired band and somehow landed on making sensible pop songs with a classical guitar influence and you have a person I can't even begin to understand. I'm still working on figuring out his music to be honest. I just know his first album, Veneer, released in September 2005 in the US, is worthy of a listen and although I can't vouch for it, 2007's In Our Nature is based on readings of everything from evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins to ethicist Peter Singer. I imagine it is more music that would be a challenge for me to comprehend - just the way I like it.

Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats

He brings the lyrics out and gives me butterflies in my stomach. I never expect it either - it just happens.



The Knife - Heartbeats

A little more fun, still bittersweet but to be honest, I don't really understand the song in this original context.



One night to be confused
One night to speed up truth
We had a promise paid
Four hands and then away

Both under influence
We had a divine sense
To know what to say
Mind is a razor blade

To call for hands of above
to lean on
Wouldn't be good enough
for me, no

One night of magic rush
The start a simple touch
One night to push and scream
And then relief

Ten days of perfect tunes
The colors red and blue
We had a promise made
We were in love

To call for hands of above
to lean on
Wouldn't be good enough
for me, no

To call for hands of above
to lean on
Wouldn't be good enough

And you, you knew the hand of the devil
And you, kept us awake with wolves teeth
Sharing different heartbeats
In one night

To call for hands of above
to lean on
Wouldn't be good enough
for me, no

To call for hands of above
to lean on
Wouldn't be good enough