In 2001 she received the award Spellemannsprisen in the open class category for her album Smiling & Waving, which featured a duet with Robert Wyatt.
Garbarek also collaborated with the Norwegian black metal band Satyricon on their album Volcano.
In 2006 she provided the majority of the soundtrack for Angel-A and then released an album under her own name: Briefly Shaking.
Sites: Facebook.
Can I Keep Him?
Anja Garbarek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There was no-one to see
No helicopters in the sky the next day
Or the day after
No-one was searching
'Cause no-one knew he was missing
He followed me home
He followed me
A pretty boy like you
With hands that could break me in two
But don't
Breaking away gently
Come on
Let's go
He's still warm
And close to me
I can see tears in his eyes
And I feel better
He followed me home
Can I keep home
He followed me
In the end
There was no-one to see
No helicopters in the sky the next day
Or the day after
No-one was searching
'Cause no-one knew he was missing
The lyrics of Anja Garbarek's song Can I Keep Him? could be interpreted as being about a woman who has found a man who has followed her home. The woman seems to be both interested and frightened by the man's presence as she describes him as a "pretty boy" with hands that could "break me in two." However, she also says that he is "breaking away gently," which suggests that he is not trying to hurt her.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "He followed me home, can I keep him" which could be seen as the woman's internal dialogue as she struggles with whether she should allow this man to stay with her. The ending of the song suggests that the man may have died or left as there is no one coming to search for him. The woman is left alone with her decision to keep him or let him go.
Overall, this song could be interpreted in many ways, including as a commentary on the power dynamics between men and women or as a metaphor for our desire to keep those who come into our lives close to us.
Line by Line Meaning
In the end
After everything was said and done
There was no-one to see
Nobody was around to witness what had happened
No helicopters in the sky the next day
There were no search parties, no rescue teams
Or the day after
Days went by and still no one knew what had happened
No-one was searching
No one was looking for him
'Cause no-one knew he was missing
Nobody realized he was gone
He followed me home
He came with me willingly, without coercion
Can I keep him
Can I hold on to this beautiful moment, this beautiful person
He followed me
He came willingly, out of pure trust and faith
A pretty boy like you
A beautiful soul like you, with so much to offer
With hands that could break me in two
With something as simple as a touch, you could destroy me
But don't
But please don't do that, please don't hurt me
Breaking away gently
Leaving me with tenderness and kindness, not malice and pain
Come on
Let's take a chance on this moment, on each other
Let's go
Let's not waste this opportunity, this beautiful thing we have found
He's still warm
His touch still lingers, his presence still felt
And close to me
He is still here with me, never really gone
I can see tears in his eyes
I can feel his emotions, his sadness, his joy
And I feel better
Being in his presence, being close to him, makes everything feel okay
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GISLI KRISTJANSSON, ANJA GARBAREK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Voice Over
@OriomartNo, it's originally from her album "Briefly Shaking" and she explained that the song was inspired by serial killer Dennis Nilsen. The song was just used in the movie.
In the end
There was no-one to see
No helicopters in the sky the next day
Or the day after
No-one was searching
'Cause no-one knew he was missing
He followed me home
Can I keep him
He followed me
A pretty boy like you
With hands that could break me in two
But don't
Breaking away gently
Come on
Let's go
He's still warm
And close to me
I can see tears in his eyes
And I feel better
He followed me home
Can I keep him
He followed me
In the end
There was no-one to see
No helicopters in the sky the next day
Or the day after
No-one was searching
'Cause no-one knew he was missing
under88Me
Found her via her father Jan Garbarek. Judging from this song I like the relaxing indie vibes of her music.
Mike Lord
Yeah me too - how serendipitous! She's really very good. Checking out more of her work.
Sashi K.
This song come in unexpectedly from spotify playlist and I kid you not, the first time I listened to it I thought it's about a cute-romantic story music wise because I was not paying attention. The fourth time listening I connect some dots and then reading the lyrics.... it gives me goosebumps. How her soft voice matched with the sinister lyrics.
Adjustable Squelch
I'd recommend watching the film then (Angel-A).Beautifully shot, its the last good film he directed and follows the pattern of his best works - the redemption of a flawed character
Voice Over
@Adjustable Squelch The movie uses the song but bears no relationship to the lyrics.
Voice Over
It's typical for her music, the instruments and voice often sound very sweet, while the subject matter and lyrics are very dark, especially on Briefly Shaken album, but also in earlier work. I don't know, I love her music, but damn, this lady has a peculiar mind to say the least.
sclogse1
Luc Besson's very cool film uses this song and some of her other work in his Angel-A. Great soundtrack.
Harry Stottle
A very beautiful song. Based on the words of a serial killer !
BRIONITY
Sublime. Incredible. Wistful.
Voice Over
Wistful? Do you know what this song is actually about? It's about an abduction of a boy and it is suggested she killed him. This is typical Anja Garbarek, sweet music, pitch dark subject matter. Brilliant though