Jens Lekman, “A Postcard To Nina” (2007)

If you have time, listen to both the carefully-arranged album version (above) and a version of Jens Lekman performing on a Swedish show of some kind, with narration in Swedish (below). I stumbled upon this album in the library. This and “It Was a Strange Time In My Life” have stuck with me. Sure, it’s good for a laugh or two.

Side note: I found a version of the lyrics online that reference to the movie Buffalo ’66 in the B’ section (instead of “the clock on the wall strikes 4-5-6”), but not a musical version. I thought I was the only person ever to see that wretched (entertaining) movie (?). The whole (wretched) movie’s worth watching for the climax, the soundtrack to which is Yes’ “Heart of the Sunrise.” I won’t spoil it for you, but it’s the only time I’ve heard a Yes song in a movie.

Anyway, enjoy this indie Swedish singer-songwriter confection.

A: Nina I can be your boyfriend / so you can stay with your girlfriend / Your father is a sweet old man / but it is hard for him to understand / that you want to love a woman / Nina I can be your boyfriend / if it puts an end to all this nonsense / First time I see you in Berlin / And you don’t tell me anything / Until outside your dad’s apartment

B: Oh God, Jesus Christ / I try to focus on your eyes / we’re having dinner with your family now / keep a steady look at your left eyebrow / If it’s raised, it means yes, / If it’s not it means take a guess / Hey! You! Stop kicking my legs / I’m doing my best / can you pass the figs?

A’: Your father puts on my record / he says: so tell me how you met her / I get nervous and change the subject / and put my hand on some metal object / He laughs and says that’s a lie detector / He takes out the booklet and starts reading / So I heard you’re moving out next season / I say, “Yeah, New York is nice that time of year / almost as green as it is here” / He says, “I thought you were moving back to Sweden?”

B’: Oh God, what have I done? / I came to Berlin to have some fun / the clock on the wall strikes 4-5-6 / on your father’s wall a big crucifix / guess that’s why he won’t let you go / his Catholic heart is big and slow / you know I’ll do anything for love / but Nina what were you thinking of?

A’’: But Nina I can be your boyfriend / So you can stay with your girlfriend / Your father is e-mailing me all the time / He says he just wants to say hi / I send back “out of office” auto-replies / Nina I just want to check in / ’cause I think about you every second / So I send you this postcard just to say / Don’t let anyone stand in your way / Yours truly, Jens Lekman / Don’t let anyone stand in your way

Album Info: Night Falls Over Kortedala (2007)

Live: