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.
It Seems We Talk
Anja Garbarek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ceiling space
Along the restless water
The surface ripples
And words rise
Nearly touching my feet
It seems we talk
Not knowing
It seems we talk
So slowly
It seems we talk
Not knowing
I am half inside
The lyrics of Anja Garbarek's "It Seems We Talk" is a poetic and enigmatic exploration of the nature of communication and understanding between individuals. The opening lines "Low ceiling space, along the restless water" creates a sense of confinement and unease, as if the singer is trapped in a limited physical space. The image of "restless water" adds to this sense of instability and emotional turbulence. When the surface of the water ripples, it stirs up words and emotions that are almost within reach, yet not quite close enough. The use of synesthesia in the line "nearly touching my feet" creates a sensory experience that connects the physical and emotional worlds, adding to the overall dreamlike quality of the song.
The repeated phrase "So slowly, it seems we talk" highlights the difficulty of truly communicating with others, whether due to misunderstandings, lack of connection, or other barriers. The use of the phrase "not knowing" emphasizes the uncertainty and unknowability of other people's inner experiences and feelings. The final line "I am half inside" could suggest a feeling of being alienated from others or not fully present in the moment with them.
Overall, "It Seems We Talk" is a haunting and evocative song that explores the complexities of human connection and human communication. Through its dreamlike imagery and enigmatic lyrics, the song invites listeners to explore their own experiences of trying to understand and connect with others, even when it feels difficult or impossible.
Line by Line Meaning
Low
The ceiling is low, creating a cramped space
Ceiling space
The limited space between the floor and ceiling
Along the restless water
Beside the unsettled and unsteady water
The surface ripples
The water's surface moves in a gentle but noticeable way
And words rise
Speech is spoken and floats up like air bubbles in the water
Nearly touching my feet
The words spoken are close enough to touch the singer's feet
So slowly
The conversation moves very slowly
It seems we talk
We appear to be having a conversation, yet the pace is slow
Not knowing
The lack of knowledge or awareness about what is happening
It seems we talk
The conversation seems to continue slowly
So slowly
The pace remains sluggish
Not knowing
The artist is still unaware of the purpose or intention of the conversation
I am half inside
The singer is only partially engaged in the conversation
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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