Being the daughter of a banjo player, singer Fine Glindvad grew up travelling around Europe among folk musicians. The guitarist, Simon Kjær Lauridsen, comes from the twisted-minded indie and free jazz environments. And the man behind the synths, Simon Lars Gustav Andersson, is a classically trained pianist. It sounds like an impossible combination, and not as a trio creating some of most captivating Danish pop music here and now.
Nevertheless, this is the case. On their very first single, 'Away From Me', CHINAH underline why they have stirred curiosity both home and abroad. 'Away From Me' is also the track that made the three members realize that together, they could accomplish something special.
- We have all been through a process of moving towards electronic pop and r&b from each our starting points. Being shamelessly melodic is not always well regarded where we come from, but we have been urging to play around with exactly that. So it has been very liberating for us. Still, we cannot avoid having our own edge because of our backgrounds, says Simon Lars Gustav Andersson.
These dynamics clearly shine through in 'Away From Me'. Fine Glindvad’s laidback vocal carries the track while beats and instruments build up to a climax that deliberately never arrives. CHINAH’s sense of economizing chaos finds its inspiration from various sources: Blood Orange’s courage to chase big tunes, Jai Paul’s aesthetic anarchy and James Blake clean vocals.
Every song on the EP CHINAH releases in the fall explores and elaborates this style. Another theme running through tracks like 'Never the Same', 'We Go Back' and 'You Can Walk Away From Me' is Fine Glindvad’s non-romantic poetry smoldering beneath the delicate melodies.
- The lyrics are sung from the perspective naive submission. But it feels liberating because of the light melodies. It is a path towards acceptance: ‘I can lie here and bleed for you, but that is life.’ It is almost a tribute to laying yourself down. I am forever touched by statements of eerily sincerity. That is also why I do not use much imagery. I say it just as it is, says Fine Glindvad.
These themes also hint the fragileness of the band name, CHINAH.
Throughout the spring, CHINAH has toured with acclaimed Danish band Turboweekend and played at the important Danish SPOT Festival. Following SPOT, CHINAH was named among the best new acts by both Danish music magazine Soundvenue and international festival delegates. This autumn another single and an EP will follow.
If I Stay
Chinah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything matters, you wouldn't break it but I did
If we don't drink no more unless I turn away
Everything matters, I call it off and the heat comes
You let it be stronger
If you don't know by now
You let it be stronger
If we don't feel no more unless I need to say
What did you want me to
If I'll stay with you?
If you don't know by now
Everyone let you, take it and keep it [?] you
If we don't care no more unless I call your name
Everything matters, you wouldn't break it but I did
You let it be stronger
If you don't know by now
You let it be stronger
If we don't feel no more unless I call your name
If I'll stay with you
What did you want me to?
What did you want me to do?
If I'll stay with you
What did you want me to?
What did you want me to do?
If I'll stay with you
What did you want me to?
What did you want me to do?
If I'll stay with you
What did you want me to?
What did you want me to do?
All my time
I never have to make up your mind
It's never up to me
How you feel, I cannot [?]
If I'll stay with you
All my time
I never have to make up your mind
It's never up to me
How you feel, I cannot [?]
If I'll stay with you
The Chinah song "If I Stay" is a song about the complexities and challenges of relationships. The lyrics suggest that everything matters in a relationship and that there are often misunderstandings and miscommunications that can lead to trouble. The first verse talks about breaking something, possibly a relationship, but the other person letting it be stronger. This could mean that despite the difficulties, the relationship continues to grow and develop. The second verse talks about not caring anymore unless one person calls the other's name, suggesting a lack of intimacy or connection in the relationship. The chorus repeats the question "What did you want me to do?" suggesting that there are unresolved issues between the two people.
The bridge of the song changes the tone, with a focus on the singer's own feelings and uncertainties. They sing about never having to make up the other person's mind and how they can't control how the other person feels. This suggests a feeling of powerlessness or frustration on the part of the singer.
Overall, the song explores the complexities of relationships and how difficult it can be to communicate effectively with another person. It also highlights the need for empathy and understanding in order to maintain strong and healthy relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
If you don't know by now
The singer is emphasizing that it's important for their partner to understand their perspective right now
Everything matters, you wouldn't break it but I did
The relationship is fragile and they did something to damage it, whereas their partner did not
If we don't drink no more unless I turn away
The singer is indicating that they have been dependent on alcohol to keep the relationship going
Everything matters, I call it off and the heat comes
The decision to end the relationship will have consequences, and the singer is afraid of that reaction
You let it be stronger
The singer's partner has allowed the relationship to get stronger, in direct contrast to the singer's actions
If we don't feel no more unless I need to say
Communication between the two is breaking down and the singer needs to assert themselves to feel anything
What did you want me to do?
The singer is questioning what their partner was expecting from them or what they could have done differently
If I'll stay with you?
The singer is asking a pivotal question about the status of the relationship
Everyone let you, take it and keep it [?] you
The singer feels as though everyone is letting their partner get away with something harmful
If we don't care no more unless I call your name
The partner only seems to respond when their name is called, and the singer is feeling neglected
All my time
The singer has dedicated an immense amount of time to the relationship
I never have to make up your mind
The partner has always been sure of their feelings, while the singer struggles with indecisiveness
How you feel, I cannot [?]
The singer cannot fully understand their partner's emotions or thought processes
Contributed by Dominic K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hokulealinda
So good. Thanks for post.
@liisnielsen3696
This is better than good. This is deep.<3
@mky6
This is good. 😌♡
@alexisandrews6403
Amazing :)