After the release of her first album Open Doors (Revolving Records, 2003) C… Read Full Bio ↴After the release of her first album Open Doors (Revolving Records, 2003) Christine Owman started experimenting with sounds, noise, instruments, effect pedals and different ways to record. The flaws and restrictions she encountered in that process became the strength of her sound and a contrast to the flawless, super-produced, and compressed MP3s of today. Inspired by visual art, documentaries, and films Christine Owman also makes movie projections for all of her songs: “...They are another perspective of my music. And the contrasts they make express another side of me.” She is known for her captivating and unconventional performances and music that is a dichotomous blend of dreamy folk and raw distortion, reverb, bass and noise expressed through clever, uninhibited lyrics. With comparisons to Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Kate Bush, PJ Harvey, Björk, Portishead, and Air, Owman is a young woman eager to express herself without the limitations of conventional boundaries.

Spelling Words
Christine Owman Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Spelling Words (feat. Andi Alqmvist)
(Music & Lyrics by Christine Owman)

If truth has objective points of views then what history a person stores
Is true when it comes to perceiving a word like it's spelled?
Are my opinions of you a result of what expresses yours?
Or is it an interpretation reflecting myself?

I long for an empty sheet with all transparent words
And without self gain we speak our minds when it's deserved

I long for an empty sheet with all transparent words
And with no self gain we speak our minds when it's deserved

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Christine Owman's song "Spelling Words" explore the idea of truth and perception. The first stanza questions whether a person's personal history influences the way they perceive and spell words. The second stanza delves deeper into the idea of interpretation, as the singer wonders whether her opinion of someone is a reflection of them or of herself. Ultimately, the song expresses a desire for open communication and honesty, free from self-interest.

The repetition of the line "I long for an empty sheet with all transparent words" reinforces the theme of clarity and transparency. The use of the word "empty" implies a lack of biases or preconceptions, while "transparent" suggests a desire for honesty and openness. The phrase "with no self gain we speak our minds when it's deserved" further emphasizes this idea, as it suggests a willingness to speak truthfully even if it may not benefit oneself.

Overall, "Spelling Words" is a poignant commentary on the importance of honest communication and the impact of personal biases on our perceptions of truth.

Line by Line Meaning

If truth has objective points of views then what history a person stores
Does historical accuracy depend on one's objective perspective of the truth?

Is true when it comes to perceiving a word like it's spelled?
Is the accuracy of spelling reflected in the truth of one's perception?

Are my opinions of you a result of what expresses yours?
Do my thoughts about you reflect what you express about yourself?

Or is it an interpretation reflecting myself?
Or are my thoughts about you simply a reflection of my own interpretation?

I long for an empty sheet with all transparent words
I wish for a blank slate where words are purely transparent and honest

And without self gain we speak our minds when it's deserved
And without ulterior motives, we speak our minds when it is necessary

I long for an empty sheet with all transparent words
I wish for a blank slate where words are purely transparent and honest

And with no self gain we speak our minds when it's deserved
And without any personal benefit, we express ourselves when it is deserved

Contributed by Brooklyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS