Now a Berlin resident, Emika currently works as a sound designer for Native Instruments. In 2010 she began making field recordings at Berghain, a sample library which she gave to all the resident producer/DJs to make music from. The resulting compilation of music became the club's label, Ostgut Ton's anniversary release, called 'Fünf'.
Emika's eponymous debut album was released by Ninja Tune on October 2011.
https://emika-official.bandcamp.com
Primary Colours
Emika Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
when the orchid dies,
and that cruelness
inside must be joking.
It’s my feeling that I,
I’m alive,
and this pain is living.
but I am awake.
I'd like to sleep,
but life’s a dream.
Everyone told me,
everyone talking:
"Chase that dream,
be a warrior queen".
It's that look in your eyes,
when the orchid dies,
and that cruelness
inside must be joking.
It’s my feeling that I,
I’m alive,
and this pain is living.
It's the distance between us,
It's the distance I'm running,
It's the sky beyond the open window.
If war is art,
and art is love,
and love is hate,
and hate is dumb,
what have we become?
Primary colors.
Primary colors.
Blood red dreams
with no tones between.
It's that look in your eyes,
when the orchid dies,
and that cruelness
inside must be joking.
It’s my feeling that I,
I’m alive,
and this pain is living.
The song "Primary Colours" by Emika is a deep introspective exploration of the duality of life and the complexity of emotions. The opening lines "It's that look in your eyes, when the orchid dies, and that cruelness inside must be joking" evoke a sense of loss and disillusionment. The death of the orchid represents the end of beauty, while the cruelness inside is a manifestation of the darker side of human emotions. The following line, "It’s my feeling that I, I’m alive, and this pain is living" indicates that despite the pain, there is still a sense of aliveness, as if being alive means experiencing the full spectrum of emotions, both good and bad.
The contrast between reality and dreams is explored in the lines "My life’s a dream, but I am awake. I'd like to sleep, but life’s a dream". The contradictory nature of life is further emphasized in the lines "Everyone told me, everyone talking: 'Chase that dream, be a warrior queen'" suggesting the pressures and expectations of society, while at the same time the reality is that life is not just about chasing dreams but also facing hardships and disappointments.
The song delves even further into the complexities of life with the line "If war is art, and art is love, and love is hate, and hate is dumb, what have we become? Primary colors." The paradoxical nature of these seemingly opposite emotions and concepts is highlighted, and the reference to primary colors suggests that life is not just black and white but a combination of many hues.
Line by Line Meaning
It's that look in your eyes, when the orchid dies, and that cruelness inside must be joking.
The way you look at me when something beautiful dies and the irony of your cruelty make me question if you're really serious.
It’s my feeling that I, I’m alive, and this pain is living.
I believe that my emotions keep me alive and my pain is a reminder that I exist.
My life’s a dream, but I am awake. I'd like to sleep, but life’s a dream.
My existence feels surreal, but I am aware of it. I want to escape, but reality is like a dream to me.
Everyone told me, everyone talking: 'Chase that dream, be a warrior queen'.
People around me urge me to pursue my aspirations and be strong, but I am not sure if that's what I really want.
It's the distance between us, It's the distance I'm running, It's the sky beyond the open window.
The space that separates us, the distance I am trying to overcome, and the vast sky outside my window are all symbolic of the sense of isolation I feel.
If war is art, and art is love, and love is hate, and hate is dumb, what have we become? Primary colors. Primary colors. Blood red dreams with no tones between.
Reflecting on the complexities and contradictions of human experience and emotion, it seems like we have reduced ourselves to the most basic and simplistic form, like primary colors. Our dreams are vivid and intense, but lack depth and nuance.
Contributed by Dominic I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lee White
I can't believe this has only 26k views after 4 years!!! One of my fave songs ever! Sends me to heaven
natikos
It's that look in your eyes
When the hunger dies
And that cruelness inside
Must be that you're a killer
It’s my feeling that I
I’m alive
and this pain is living
My life is a dream
But I am awake
I'd like to sleep
My life is a dream
Everyone talking
Everyone talkin
Chase that dream, be a warrior (crazy??)
My sword's broken
It's the distance between us
It's the distance of runnin(??)
It's the sky be(??) open(??), ohhh
If what is art, and art is love
and love is hate, and hate is done
What have we become
Primary colors, primary colors
Blood red dreams with no tongues between... no
creepy ninja
I love you
MrBlueSkyMrNight
Good synth choices made in this tune.
Jakub Jarolímek
Adele
creepy ninja
This one make me cry. I f love you. I respect you for light I love you I love you