She was a member of several Spanish groups (including Christina y Los Subterráneos) before she started a solo career with help from Lee Ranaldo, the guitarist of Sonic Youth. She moved to New York City in 1999 with her partner, Ray Loriga, who took the photos that appear on her album 'Foreign Land'.
36
Christina Rosenvinge Lyrics
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Promise of discipline,
At the end of the day
There is always something new to fix.
And my windows are open
But my closet′s not clean,
Every winter seems shorter
See the steps in the ballroom,
I still doubt in between,
Always late to all the parties,
I had to learn some dirty tricks.
Now I′m not getting wiser
But I still fit in my jeans,
Time is building me a room
That I still can't find at 36.
Who's talking?
Who listens?
Who′s turning off?
Who′s got it?
Who missed it?
Who's still in love?
Someday back to my hometown,
Nothing else to conceal,
I will shake off my boots,
Say that I was never 36.
The song "36" by Christina Rosenvinge is a reflective and introspective ballad that delves into the complexities of growing older, coming to terms with oneself, and the fleeting nature of time. The opening lines "And like any other Monday, promise of discipline" sets a tone of mundanity and routine - a day in the life of an average person. The verse goes on to acknowledge that despite all attempts at organization, there is still always something that needs to be fixed or addressed.
The next set of lyrics delves into the idea of personal maintenance and growth. The windows are open, allowing the freedom of expression and exploration, yet the closet remains unclean - a metaphor for the hidden or messier aspects of one's self. The mention of time and winter seeming shorter alludes to the sense that as one grows older, time seems to slip away faster and yet the person themselves remains the same age. The following lines acknowledge the past and learning experience - the singer was always late to parties and had to learn "dirty tricks" to make up for lost time.
The chorus is a mixture of rhetorical questions that invite further introspection. Who is talking and listening? Who is turning off and who missed it? And finally, who is still in love - with life, with oneself, with others? The final verse contains a sense of longing and nostalgia. The singer acknowledges that they are not getting any wiser, but still fit into the jeans of their youth. The idea of time building a room that they can't find at 36 implies a sense of searching or longing for a sense of belonging. The final lines speak to a desire to return home and redefine oneself, declaring that they will shake off their boots and deny that they are 36.
Line by Line Meaning
And like any other monday,
Starting a new week with a sense of routine.
Promise of discipline,
Commitment to a strict work ethic.
At the end of the day
After the workday is complete.
There is always something new to fix.
Issues to address and problems to solve are never-ending.
And my windows are open
Allowing fresh air and change to enter into my life.
But my closet′s not clean,
There are still things in my life that need tidying up.
Every winter seems shorter
Time is passing quickly.
As I'm counting up to 36.
Reflecting on the passage of time and the aging process.
See the steps in the ballroom,
Looking at the challenges ahead.
I still doubt in between,
Feeling uncertain and hesitant sometimes.
Always late to all the parties,
Missing out on opportunities because of tardiness.
I had to learn some dirty tricks.
To gain the upper hand in unfavorable situations, sometimes one has to play dirty.
Now I’m not getting wiser
Despite aging, feeling that one is not gaining much new knowledge or insights.
But I still fit in my jeans,
Being able to maintain a youthful appearance.
Time is building me a room
Life experiences are making me more complete as a person.
That I still can't find at 36.
Despite growth and learning, there are still things that remain elusive and hard to grasp in life.
Who's talking?
Questioning who is speaking.
Who listens?
Examining who is receptive to what is being said.
Who's turning off?
Contemplating who is walking away or disengaging.
Who's got it?
Asking who has the secret to success or happiness.
Who missed it?
Wondering who has made mistakes or missed opportunities.
Who's still in love?
Reflecting on who has maintained love and passion in their lives.
Someday back to my hometown,
Thinking of returning to one's roots.
Nothing else to conceal,
Living honestly and transparently.
I will shake off my boots,
Letting go of the past and moving on.
Say that I was never 36.
Denying the negative connotations surrounding aging and acknowledging that age is just a number.
Writer(s): Christina Rosenvinge
Contributed by Elliot H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.