FORMOE
Q: What inspired you to write “Dreams of Yesterday”?
What inspired me to write this song was a sudden death in a close relationship. Unfortunately, it was self-inflicted, making it difficult to handle and accept. This led me to first write the melody for this song.
Q: The lyrics in “Dreams of Yesterday” carry a strong sense of nostalgia. Can you tell us more about what personal experiences or emotions influenced these themes?
The lyrics were written by my father, who is an established and recognized artist in Norway. I shared what had inspired me for the melody, and he understood the grief I was going through, which made the lyrics very relatable to my feelings, even though someone else wrote them. I feel that the lyrics were perfect for the desired message and motivation for writing the song. Nostalgia is important in the song because I find that by cherishing the good memories of someone you love, it becomes easier to move on after a painful death.
Q: In the chorus, you sing, “Though memories may fade away, you’re in my dreams of yesterday.” How do you personally cope with the fading of memories while still holding onto their significance?
t’s somewhat like how, over time, all wounds can heal, even though you might be left with scars. When you lose someone you care about, I believe it’s important to preserve memories by talking about those you’ve lost, sharing stories, and looking at photos and videos. This way, you can keep good memories alive, even though some may fade over time.
Q: There’s a recurring theme of closure in the song, especially with the metaphor of “closing the book.” How important is the concept of closure to you, both in your music and in your life?
Ending a relationship, whether through a breakup or a death, can be difficult and painful. I believe that when you manage to let go and accept the outcome, it’s important to “close the book” to move forward in life and feel better about yourself.
Q: The line “What is gone is gone forever. No one turns the tide” suggests a deep sense of acceptance. Was this acceptance something you arrived at over time, or did it come to you during the writing process?
This death had a profound impact on me, and writing this song was an important tool for accepting the pain that had occurred and trying to move on in that way.
Q: Do you find that writing about past experiences helps you process them, or is it more of a way to preserve those memories?
I would say that writing contributes to both processing the pain and preserving the good memories of someone you cared about.
Q: How do you balance the act of moving forward with life while still honoring and remembering the past, as reflected in “Dreams of Yesterday”?
I think, with almost everything in life, balance is necessary. If you always move forward without taking along memories and experiences, I believe you might make many of the same mistakes and also have difficulty finding happiness. Perhaps because you don’t know what you are looking for to have a good life. Similarly, if you always just live on past experiences and nostalgia, and in this way don’t move forward, I believe that can be a significant barrier to moving on and finding happiness again.
Q: The song has a very reflective tone. When you wrote “Dreams of Yesterday,” were you in a reflective mood, or did the lyrics bring out that reflection in you?
As mentioned, my father wrote these lyrics on my request. I told him the mood and motivation that inspired the melody, and he wrote the lyrics based on how I had experienced losing a close friend suddenly. I believe we were in a reflective mood when the song was written.
Q: Could you share any specific moments in your life that directly influenced the creation of this song?
I have mentioned before that I lost a friend I cared about to suicide. It was a shock. It felt brutal and pointless. In that situation, you are always left with questions about whether you could have done more for that person. For me, writing this song was important to move forward and accept the pain that had happened.
Q: Do you think “Dreams of Yesterday” is a song more about acceptance or about holding on to the past?
It is important to find a balance between both. I am convinced that it is important to cherish good memories but also to move forward. I believe life is best when you preserve good memories but also manage to look ahead and seize new opportunities to create new experiences and memories.
Q: How do you want your listeners to feel when they hear “Dreams of Yesterday”?
Songs can have different meanings for different people. I don’t want to impose anything on listeners, but if someone feels they can accept painful events, close chapters before moving on, then I feel my song has had significance for the listener.
Q: “Dreams of Yesterday” has a timeless quality to it. Was that intentional, or did it naturally evolve that way during the writing process?
I appreciate that you call it timeless. The recording and the first part of the production actually began with producer Alf-Emil Eik (who has previously worked with international bands such as A-ha and Secret Garden) several years ago. I let both the song and the lyrics sit for several years before I picked it up again. This time with a new producer, Roar Farstad. I was fortunate to have my friend and colleague June Baltzersen join me to sing and provide backing vocals. I believe that the “timeless” quality has come with time, and I hope it allows the song to live on for many years and reach many people.
Q: How do you hope “Dreams of Yesterday” will resonate with listeners who might be going through similar emotions?
For me, music serves as a tool to work through the emotions and moods I am experiencing. Sometimes you are happy, other times sad. I hope this song can help people in grief to close a chapter, move forward, and carry the good memories with them.
