Agnes Caroline Thaarup Obel (born 1981) is a Danish singer-songwriter. Her … Read Full Bio ↴Agnes Caroline Thaarup Obel (born 1981) is a Danish singer-songwriter. Her first album, Philharmonics, was released by PIAS Recordings on 4 October 2010 in Denmark, Norway, Germany and other European countries. Since February 2011, Philharmonics is certified gold. On September 30th 2013, she released her second album Aventine.

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

Stone
Agnes Obel Lyrics

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They say every sin will have a thousand eyes
To guilty fools with guilty minds
But I must be cruel to be kind
Deep within my head of stone
Could I be - of stone - could I be - of stone - could I be

Oh how the birds forget to sing
Do they know where I have been?

Oh how I will leave you there again
Deep within my head of stone
Could I be of stone could I be of stone could I be

You are my only one
You are my only one
You are my lonely one
You are my only one

Oh for the trees did grow there, and the plants did spring
Oh for they know a lovers sin
Ain't made of paper or of string

It's cast into a head of stone
Could I be - of stone - could I be - of stone - could I be

Overall Meaning

Agnes Obel's song "Stone" is a hauntingly beautiful track that explores guilt, isolation and the emotional barriers we create in order to cope with our own mistakes. The song opens with the line "They say every sin will have a thousand eyes" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the track. The idea of being constantly watched and judged creates a sense of paranoia and self-doubt. The line "But I must be cruel to be kind" suggests that the singer is aware of their own flaws and is trying to do what is necessary to fix them, even if it hurts in the process. The phrase "Deep within my head of stone could I be" is repeated throughout the song and reinforces the idea that the singer is struggling to connect with others on an emotional level. They feel as though they are trapped inside their own head, unable to break free from the guilt and shame they carry with them.

The chorus of the song is a repetition of the line "You are my only one" which could be interpreted in a few different ways. On one hand, it could be the singer expressing their love for someone who has been there for them through difficult times. On the other hand, it could be seen as a cry for help from someone who feels alone and isolated. The line "You are my lonely one" adds another layer to this interpretation and suggests that the singer may be using this relationship as a way to fill a void in their life.

The final verse of the song is particularly poignant, with the line "It's cast into a head of stone" highlighting the idea that our mistakes are a part of us and can't be undone. The repetition of the phrase "could I be - of stone" throughout the song suggests that the singer is questioning whether they are truly capable of change, or if they are doomed to repeat their past mistakes.

Line by Line Meaning

They say every sin will have a thousand eyes
According to popular belief, every wrongdoing committed will be seen and remembered by many.

To guilty fools with guilty minds
This warning applies specifically to those who are aware of their crimes and continue to do them anyway.

But I must be cruel to be kind
I may have to be harsh or unkind in order to help you in the long run.

Deep within my head of stone
My thoughts and emotions are unyielding and difficult to change.

Could I be - of stone - could I be - of stone - could I be
I wonder if my heart is similarly unyielding and incapable of warmth or compassion.

Oh how the birds forget to sing
The natural beauty and joy of the world is lost to me, as if the birds themselves are affected by my presence.

Do they know where I have been?
I wonder if even the animals and plants around me are aware of my misdeeds and the darkness within me.

Oh how I will leave you there again
I know I am responsible for causing pain and will likely do so again in the future.

You are my only one
Despite my difficulties and cruelty, I still have a deep affection for and attachment to this person.

You are my lonely one
However, being with me is likely to lead to isolation and unhappiness for them, hence the reference to loneliness.

Oh for the trees did grow there, and the plants did spring
This imagery reflects the natural world thriving, despite the damage done by human actions.

Oh for they know a lovers sin
Nature itself is capable of experiencing and bearing witness to the kind of pain caused by human misdeeds - even that of lovers.

Ain't made of paper or of string
This sin is not something flimsy, temporary, or easily broken; it is deep and real.

It's cast into a head of stone
These sins have become a permanent part of me, as if etched into my very being.

Could I be - of stone - could I be - of stone - could I be
I continue to question whether or not I am capable of change or forgiveness for my actions.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AGNES CAROLINE THAARUP OBEL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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