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
At Least It Was
Emilíana Torrini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hid behind some men
I had never seen you look so good
I'm glad you're doing well
I went out for a walk today
To think of things unsaid
Of course I found I'd said too much
And when the day falls
I guess it was love
And when the day falls
At least it was
You thought of the name to call me
I guess that's how it goes
I know a few with the same name
Yes, I'm sad I'm one of those
Ungraceful as I am in loving
And leaving I'm the same
It's way too late to say I'm sorry
But I'll say it anyway
And when the day forwards
I guess it was love
And when the day forwards
At least it was
Dumb dumb dumb dumb
The lyrics to Emiliana Torrini's song "At Least It Was" convey a sense of melancholy and regret over a past relationship. The opening lines suggest that the singer has seen their ex-partner on a train, but instead of approaching them, they choose to hide. This action suggests a reluctance to rekindle a connection with someone from the past, potentially for fear of getting hurt again. The singer then reflects on things left unsaid and regrets having said too much, indicating a sense of guilt or remorse about the way the relationship ended.
The chorus of the song, where Torrini sings "And when the day falls / I guess it was love / And when the day falls / At least it was," suggests that despite the pain and sadness of the breakup, the singer is able to appreciate the love that was once shared. The repetition of the phrase "at least it was" reinforces the idea that even though the relationship is over, it was still something worth having experienced.
The final verse of the song reveals that the singer is still grappling with their feelings for their ex-partner, despite the passage of time. They reflect on the nickname their ex gave them and express sadness at being one of many with that name. The lines "Ungraceful as I am in loving / And leaving I'm the same" suggest a lack of confidence in their ability to successfully navigate relationships. The song ends with the singer apologizing for their mistakes and acknowledging that it may be too late to make amends.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought I saw you on the train
I had a perception of seeing you on the train, but I concealed myself behind some men.
I had never seen you look so good
I have never observed you look so pleasing.
I'm glad you're doing well
I'm pleased that you're doing fine.
I went out for a walk today
I took a walk today.
To think of things unsaid
To consider things that haven't been stated.
Of course I found I'd said too much
Naturally, I discovered that I had spoken too much.
So I laid all that to rest
Therefore, I made an end to all that.
And when the day falls
And when the day comes to a close,
I guess it was love
I suppose it was affection.
At least it was
But at least it existed.
You thought of the name to call me
You considered the name to address me.
I guess that's how it goes
I assume that is how it occurs.
I know a few with the same name
I am aware of a few with the identical name.
Yes, I'm sad I'm one of those
Yes, I'm unhappy that I am one of those individuals.
Ungraceful as I am in loving
In terms of being graceful at love, I am not.
And leaving I'm the same
And even at leaving, I am equally ungraceful.
It's way too late to say I'm sorry
It is excessively tardy to express regret.
But I'll say it anyway
But despite that, I shall state it.
And when the day forwards
And when the day progresses,
I guess it was love
I suppose it was affection.
At least it was
But at least it existed.
Dumb dumb dumb dumb
This phrase does not have contextual meaning and cannot be further explained.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANIEL DE MUSSENDEN CAREY, EMILIANA TORRINI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ajlich
I heard this song on the radio today, and I don't get it. Why such a good song doesn't have more views. Its so good <3
akinnasuam
this is such a wonderful song. I almost cry every time I listen to this... thank you for posting!
KaansRoom
What a true song. It's like Feist's Intuition. A similar thing happened to me. Felt sick to my stomach, like I was going to faint.
Peter Anderson
Greatest song ever
inv0Lver
This is exactly what I needed today..
3Dartist247
I heard Emilíana (full name is Emilíana Torrini Davíðsdóttir) on last.fm today, but because their play lists don't quickly repeat what you heard and liked, here I am. Beside Emilíana, the only other Icelandic singer I've heard is Björk, also very good, but very different. "It's way too late to say I'm sorry but I'll say it anyway..." and who hasn't been there. She speaks to the heart, with a sweet voice.
Meryl Álvarez
Beutiful song amazing
thecheesburgler
You thought of a name to call me, i guess that's how it goes. I know a few with the same name, i'm sad i'm one of those. </3
sriracha2009
@katakotia3 me too! I googled the two line chorus. I love her voice!
Laura RCH
she's got a great voice! don't u think is a bit similar to Ellie Goulding?