Agnes Obel was born Agnes Caroline Thaarup Obel in 1981. Living in Copenhagen, and coming from a musician family, Agnes Obel learned piano at a very young age. Her mother used to play Bartók and Chopin at the piano. During her childhood, Agnes Obel found inspiration in Jan Johansson's work. Johansson's songs, European folk tunes done in a jazzy style, have influenced the young musician a lot.
She attended high school at Det frie Gymnasium and university at Roskilde University.
At the age of seven, Agnes Obel worked in a little band where she used to sing and play bass guitar. The group appeared in a festival and even recorded some titles.
Later, and with the help of Danish musician and producer Elton Theander, Obel founded the Copenhagen based band Sohio. After few years of collaboration, Obel debuted as a solo singer with her first album Philharmonics (2010).
Agnes Obel writes, plays, sings, records and produces all her material herself.
She is influenced by artists such as Roy Orbison, Joni Mitchell, PJ Harvey and also by the French composers Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Eric Satie.
Obel lives in Berlin.
Website: http://agnesobel.com
Can't Be
Agnes Obel Lyrics
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I can't be, I keep progressing
Can't be, can't be
Can't keep me, oh
Can't keep me, oh
Can't keep me, oh
Can't keep me, oh
Like a script for the screen
I would fall for you
Every bit to smithereens
I would fall for you
Boundless
I won't be yours (be yours)
In the ripples of the stream
With no mind or core (core)
I can't be, I can't be
I can't be, I keep progressing
keep me
Keep me
Can't keep me, oh
Can't keep me, oh
Can't keep me, oh
Give me a sign
Don't be, don't be, don't be ending
Don't be what you were, friend
Don't be, don't be, don't be ending (I won't be no effigy)
Don't be what you were, friend
Don't be, don't be, don't be ending (I won't be no effigy)
Don't be what you were, friend
Don't be, don't be, don't be ending (I won't be no effigy)
Don't be what you were, friend
Don't be, don't be, don't be ending (I won't be no effigy)
Don't be what you were, friend
In Agnes Obel's song "Can't Be," the lyrics reflect a sense of self-empowerment and progress. The repetition of "I can't be, I keep progressing" suggests a refusal to be confined or limited by external forces or expectations. It conveys a strong determination to keep moving forward and evolving.
The line "Like a script for the screen, I would fall for you" portrays a vulnerability and willingness to open oneself up to love, even if it leads to potential vulnerability and destruction ("Every bit to smithereens"). This juxtaposition of vulnerability and strength is a recurring theme in the song.
The word "boundless" evokes a sense of freedom and breaking free from constraints. The line "I won't be yours, in the ripples of the stream, with no mind or core" suggests a sense of autonomy and independence, refusing to be defined or dominated by another person.
Overall, "Can't Be" speaks to the artist's determination to constantly progress and resist becoming a stagnant representation of someone's expectations. It is a celebration of individuality, staying true to oneself, and embracing the possibilities of love and growth.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't be, I can't be
I am unable to be, I am unable to be
I can't be, I keep progressing
I am unable to be, but I continue to make progress
Can't be, can't be
Cannot be, cannot be
Can't keep me, oh
You cannot hold on to me, oh
Like a script for the screen
Similar to a screenplay
I would fall for you
I would become infatuated with you
Every bit to smithereens
Every part completely shattered
I would fall for you
I would become infatuated with you
Boundless
Without limits
I won't be yours (be yours)
I will not belong to you
In the ripples of the stream
Within the gentle waves of the river
With no mind or core (core)
Without thoughts or a central essence
I can't be, I can't be
I am unable to be, I am unable to be
I can't be, I keep progressing
I am unable to be, but I continue to make progress
Keep me
Hold on to me
Can't keep me, oh
You cannot hold on to me, oh
Give me a sign
Show me a signal
Don't be, don't be, don't be ending
Do not come to an end, do not come to an end, do not come to an end
Don't be what you were, friend
Do not remain as you were, friend
Don't be, don't be, don't be ending (I won't be no effigy)
Do not come to an end, do not come to an end, do not come to an end (I will not be a lifeless representation)
Don't be what you were, friend
Do not remain as you were, friend
Don't be, don't be, don't be ending (I won't be no effigy)
Do not come to an end, do not come to an end, do not come to an end (I will not be a lifeless representation)
Don't be what you were, friend
Do not remain as you were, friend
Don't be, don't be, don't be ending (I won't be no effigy)
Do not come to an end, do not come to an end, do not come to an end (I will not be a lifeless representation)
Don't be what you were, friend
Do not remain as you were, friend
Don't be, don't be, don't be ending (I won't be no effigy)
Do not come to an end, do not come to an end, do not come to an end (I will not be a lifeless representation)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Agnes Caroline Thaarup Obel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind