Her father is Italian and her mother Icelandic. Emilíana grew up in Kópavogur where, at the age of 7, she joined a choir as a soprano. She continued with the choir until she went to opera school at the age of 15. Later she worked as waitress at her father's restaurant. In 1994, Emilíana became well-known at the age of 17 after winning the song competition for junior college students (Icelandic: Söngkeppni framhaldsskólanna), singing "I Will Survive".
Prior to her appearance on the worldwide stage, she released 3 other albums in Iceland: Spoon in 1994, Crouçie D'où Là in 1995, and Merman in 1996. Emilíana also worked with trip-hop group Gus Gus on their debut Polydistortion (1997) on two songs: Is Jesus Your Pal? and Why?.
Later Torrini continues to collaborate with other artists, notably composing Kylie Minogue's international #1 track Slow with Dan Carey in 2003, and providing the voice for Gollum's Song, the closing theme for the film "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers". Also in 2002, she sang vocals on Paul Oakenfold's song Hold Your Hand taken from his Bunkka album.
In 2003 she collaborated with Thievery Corporation on two songs Heaven's Gonna Burn Your Eyes and Until the Morning from The Richest Man in Babylon (2005), and Slovo's debut album, Nommo.
Emilíana Torrini released her international debut album, Love In The Time Of Science in November 1999. This trip-hop album was produced by Roland Orzabal of Tears for Fears. Four singles were issued: Dead Things, Baby Blue, To Be Free, and Unemployed in Summertime.
Working with Dan Carey, her second major album release released in 2005, Fisherman's Woman, signified a departure from her earlier electronic roots to an acoustic-folk sound; applying the ethereal beauty of her voice in a much more intimate setting, reminiscent of the work of Nick Drake and fellow Icelanders múm. The singles Lifesaver, Sunnyroad, and Heartstopper supported the album.
Her third album, Me and Armini was released on 8 September 2008, to generally good reviews. The album was promoted by three singles: Me and Armini, Big Jumps, and Jungle Drum. The single Jungle Drum became Emilíana's most successful song, reaching #1 in Iceland, Austria, Belgium, Germany, #5 on Finland, and #11 in Switzerland.
Her fourth international studio album, Tookah was released in 2013.
http://www.emilianatorrini.com/
Torrini has lately worked with Canada's Kid Koala, providing vocals on the ambient album Music To Draw To: Satellite, released in January 2017.
The album is described as "...his first non sample-based album, with all the instruments and effects being manipulated by him and him alone) and lyricist (a collaboration with Icelandic vocalist Emilíana Torrini, who somehow makes this sometimes stark, often celestial-sounding record even more chilling with her captivating performances on tracks like "Collapser" and "Adrift") — is able to transport listeners to the depths of space, or wherever their imagination wills them, with ease."
http://exclaim.ca/music/article/kid_koala-music_to_draw_to_satellite
Animal Games
Emilíana Torrini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't stop thinking of how that makes me want you at all
Now you're playing all these games, that I don't know how to play
Now you say you love me, next you're going away
So I find new love 'cause that is what I do
Now you're scaring off the dogs (scaring off the dogs)
Killing off the sparrow (killing off the sparrow)
Howling like a wolf, poisoning the arrow
You shake the rope I'm walking, just to catch me when I fall
Turn while I'm still talking, next time I'll be gone
I write this in a letter, that is so you'll find
Now you're scaring off the dogs (scaring off the dogs)
Killing off the sparrow (killing off the sparrow)
Howling like a wolf, poisoning the arrow
Now you're creeping in the reeds (creeping in the reeds)
Spying like an eagle (spying like an eagle)
Fighting like a rooster, blood is in the water
Now I'm playing all these games, I'm getting better and better
I'm getting better and better, I'm getting better and better
So I find new love 'cause that is what I do
The lyrics of Emiliana Torrini's song "Animal Games" explore the complexities of a romantic relationship. The first verse sets up an intriguing metaphor, comparing the heart to a piece of dough that can be shaped however one desires. The singer of the song is attracted to the person she's singing to, despite the fact that this person is playing games that she doesn't understand. He's sending mixed signals by professing love but also talking about leaving, and this is causing the singer to feel uncertain about where she stands with him. In response, she seeks out new love, but the person she's singing to is not content to let her move on. The second verse suggests that he's being manipulative, taunting her with false hope and trying to trip her up so that he can catch her when she falls. She decides to write him a letter, perhaps as a way of finding closure or expressing her frustration.
The chorus of the song features a series of animal metaphors that capture the intensity of the relationship. The person she's singing to is "scaring off the dogs," which could mean that he's driving away potential suitors or enemies. He's also "killing off the sparrow," which suggests that he's capable of cruelty and violence. He's "howling like a wolf," which connotes a sense of wildness and danger, and he's "poisoning the arrow," which could imply that he's using underhanded tactics to win the singer's affections. The second half of the chorus suggests that the singer is not immune to the animalistic qualities of the relationship; she's "creeping in the reeds" and "spying like an eagle," which suggest that she's become cunning and predatory herself. The image of "blood in the water" reinforces this notion, suggesting that the two are locked in a fierce struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Your heart is like a dough, you shape it how you want
Your heart is malleable and can be formed into any shape you desire.
I can't stop thinking of how that makes me want you at all
I can't resist your ability to shape your heart and your appeal to me.
Now you're playing all these games, that I don't know how to play
You're engaging in manipulative behaviors that I don't understand or want to participate in.
Now you say you love me, next you're going away
You express love to me, but then quickly leave me.
So I find new love 'cause that is what I do
I move on and find new love, as it is my way of coping with the pain caused by your actions.
Now you're scaring off the dogs (scaring off the dogs)
Your behavior is causing a disturbance and driving others away from you.
Killing off the sparrow (killing off the sparrow)
You are intentionally harming innocent and vulnerable beings.
Howling like a wolf, poisoning the arrow
You are behaving like a predator, using cunning tactics to hurt those around you.
You shake the rope I'm walking, just to catch me when I fall
You create instability and then use it to your advantage.
Turn while I'm still talking, next time I'll be gone
You show disinterest in what I have to say and hint at the possibility of me leaving.
I write this in a letter, that is so you'll find
I write this message as a way for you to understand my thoughts and feelings.
Now you're creeping in the reeds (creeping in the reeds)
You are hiding and acting surreptitiously.
Spying like an eagle (spying like an eagle)
You are surveilling others with keen attention to detail.
Fighting like a rooster, blood is in the water
You are engaged in aggressive behavior that causes harm and invites conflict to arise.
Now I'm playing all these games, I'm getting better and better
I am learning from your manipulative tactics and growing wiser in how to navigate them.
I'm getting better and better, I'm getting better and better
I am becoming more skilled in how to protect and care for myself in the face of your harmful behavior.
So I find new love 'cause that is what I do
I am committed to finding love and happiness, even if that means moving on from you.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANIEL DE MUSSENDEN CAREY, EMILIANA TORRINI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind