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
Just So
Agnes Obel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turning on the light
Today is gonna be the day
You hear somebody say
We need you wide awake
Tiptoe over the floor
What are you waiting for?
That's all to be sorry for
Today is gonna be the day
You hear somebody say
We need you wide awake
You hear the minutes kick and play
The order of the day
Is hollering your way
The window shade
The nursing aid
To let it all just work away
From head to toe
A shadow grows
Since forever and a day
Quiet moments hum
But some do you wrong
Today is gonna be the day
You hear somebody say
We need you wide awake
No time for tea or lemonade
Someone has set the date
We're only half the way
Drink a toast to the sun
To the things that never come
To the break of the day
That is all I say
The lyrics to Agnes Obel's Just So tell a story of feeling the pressure of needing to stay awake and alert despite natural urges otherwise. The song starts with the sudden change from black to a bright room as the light turns on, signaling the beginning of a demanding day ahead. The singer hears a voice urging them to stay "wide awake," and they cautiously tiptoe around their space, unsure of what they're waiting for. They repeat the phrase "so so and no more, that's all to be sorry for," as if reassuring themselves that they've done what they could and shouldn't feel guilt for any rest they may need.
Line by Line Meaning
Black turns beamy bright
The darkness of the night is fading and the day is dawning.
Turning on the light
Switching on the light to start the day.
Today is gonna be the day
You hear somebody say
We need you wide awake
Today is an important day and you need to be alert and focused.
Tiptoe over the floor
What are you waiting for?
So so and no more
That's all to be sorry for
You should move quietly and purposefully, and not have any regrets about past actions.
You hear the minutes kick and play
The order of the day
Is hollering your way
Time is passing quickly and you need to take control of the day.
The window shade
The nursing aid
To let it all just work away
From head to toe
A shadow grows
Since forever and a day
The passing of time is evident in small things like a window shade and the growth of a shadow. This has been happening for a very long time.
Quiet moments hum
But some do you wrong
In peaceful times, there can still be things that are harmful to you.
No time for tea or lemonade
Someone has set the date
We're only half the way
There is no time for relaxation or enjoyment because an important task must be completed. Progress has been made, but there is still more to do.
Drink a toast to the sun
To the things that never come
To the break of the day
That is all I say
Celebrate the start of the day and all the potential it holds, even if the things you hope for never materialize.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Agnes Obel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vana659
Black turns beamy bright
Turning on the light
Today is gonna be the day
You hear somebody say,
We need you wide awake
Tiptoe over the floor
What are you waiting for?
So so and no more
That's all to be sorry for
Today is gonna be the day
You hear somebody say
We need you wide awake
You hear the minutes kick and play
The order of the day
Is hollering your way
The window shade
The nursing aid
To let it all just work the way
From head to toe
A shadow grows
Since forever and a day
Quiet moments hum
But some do you wrong
Today is gonna be the day
You hear somebody say
We need you wide awake
No time for tea or lemonade
Someone has set the date
We're only half the way
Drink a toast to the sun
To the things that never come
To the break of the day
That is all I say
@alejandrapoveda2399
Letra:
Black turns beat me bright
Turning on the light
Today is gonna be the day
You hear somebody say
We need you wide awake
Tiptoe over the floor
What are you waiting for?
So so and no more
That's all to be, so before
Today is gonna be the day
You hear somebody say
We need you wide awake
You hear the moments kick and play
The order of the day
Is already in your way
The window shade
The nurse and maid
To let it all just work away
From head to toe
Where shadow grows
Since forever and a day
Quiet moments home
Where some do you roam?
Today is gonna be the day
You hear somebody say
We need you right away
No time for tea or lemonade
Someone to set the day
Were only half awake
Drink a toast to the sun
To the things that never come
To the break of the day
That is all that I say
@viktovski
I don't know what to feel when i hear her voice.. its so sweet and powerful at the same time..feels like im in a trance state..incredible
She's so underrated unfortunately
@FlorisJeliernnghgj
Victor Paz
@lluviadequito8189
She's not underrated, she has sold 10000 CD's of just the first album. Huge popularity, which actually tells a lot of people's good musical taste 👍
@cabrerashary
It's ridiculous I think that music.. The most complexed and yet simplest thing could actually heal and soothe a person to happiness. Her music is so effortless and yet isn't remotely lacking. It makes me sad that she is not as famous or as recognised as she should be, because quite frankly I believe if she was the world would be such a better place. Everyone should experience Agnes Obel and her healing voice and lyrics.
@keithbate9405
give it time . her songs and brilliance are starting to be recognised thanks to You tube !!
@keithbate9405
***** I have and she did little for me whilst Agnes is brilliant !
@BrunoSantos-mk1uc
Keith Bate thanks to Revenge too
@Dorypowa
+shary cabrera totally agree...my favorite artist
@sigurdkammersgaard3802
+shary cabrera The hell do you mean effortless?
@Flipper298
Woke to this song playing on the radio. What a perfect way to start the day, as if there was an angel whispering in my ear