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.
Sleep
Anja Garbarek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With these eyes out into darkness
And it is so strange
All they want to do is sleep
And it is so strange
They want to sleep through silence
And it is so strange
'Cause I am wide awake
And it is so strange
How all this could be over
If you would walk in
If you put me to rest
And it is so strange
That my voice seems to've gone quiet
And even stranger still
That I never will be found
All I want to do
Is to drift away
Hush-a-bye baby
All I want to do is go to sleep
To sleep, to sleep
The lyrics of Anja Garbarek's song "Sleep" express an overwhelming sense of exhaustion and longing for rest. The repeated phrase "And it is so strange" highlights the disorienting feeling of being awake in the midst of darkness and silence, while also yearning for the relief of sleep. The songwriter's use of contrast between her own wakefulness and the desire for slumber in others adds to the overall sense of disconnect and isolation. The line "How all this could be over / If you would walk in" suggests a deeper longing for connection and intimacy, one that might ease her distress and allow her to rest.
As the song continues, the sense of despair and resignation becomes more pronounced. The songwriter's "voice" seems to have disappeared, adding to the sense of isolation and hopelessness. The final lines, "All I want to do / Is to drift away / Hush-a-bye baby / All I want to do is go to sleep / To sleep, to sleep" express a deep longing for escape and relief, but also acknowledge the difficulties of achieving that restful state.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sleep" use powerful imagery and repetition to convey a sense of exhaustion, isolation, and yearning for rest. The song taps into a deeply relatable human experience, and the emotive delivery only adds to its impact.
Line by Line Meaning
And it is so strange
The situation is odd and unexpected
With these eyes out into darkness
Despite having the ability to see, there is a sense of uncertainty and unfamiliarity about the surroundings.
All they want to do is sleep
The eyes are heavy and the desire to rest is strong.
They want to sleep through silence
The absence of sound can provide a sense of comfort and promote relaxation.
'Cause I am wide awake
Despite the desire to sleep, the artist is fully alert and conscious.
How all this could be over
The idea that everything could come to an end is unsettling.
If you would walk in
The presence of someone else could be a source of comfort.
If you put me to rest
Allowing oneself to relax in the presence of another could lead to a sense of peacefulness.
That my voice seems to've gone quiet
The artist feels a sense of resignation or powerlessness.
And even stranger still
The situation becomes increasingly bizarre.
That I never will be found
The singer anticipates a sense of being lost or unable to find their way.
All I want to do
The artist's desire is singular and focused.
Is to drift away
The singer seeks an escape from their present reality.
Hush-a-bye baby
The singer may be trying to comfort themselves or someone else.
All I want to do is go to sleep
The singer's focus and desire remain fixed.
To sleep, to sleep
The repetition emphasizes the artist's yearning for rest.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gisli Kristjansson, Anja Garbarek
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SyrupBuccaneer
Dark, DARK song, but still so beautiful. Thank you Anja.
Mau Olvera
Imposible que una pieza tan percata tenga tan pocos likes.
Phoenix Rising
And it is so strange
With these eyes out into darkness
And it is so strange
All they want to do is sleep
And it is so strange
They want to sleep through silence
And it is so strange
'Cause I am wide awake
And it is so strange
How all this could be over
If you would walk in
If you put me to rest
And it is so strange
That my voice seems to've gone quiet
And even stranger still
That I never will be found
All I want to do
Is to drift away
Hush-a-bye baby
All I want to do is go to sleep
To sleep, to sleep
Mau Olvera
¡La amo! 👽
Pablo Bitho
I love this song as a manifesto
bloodyxbeth
thanks for posting up the song!
Денис Ілик
Perfecto
madlen989
from 2:26 :))))))
Paola
💆