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
Caterpillar
Emilíana Torrini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What covers the seat
N'flutters in the breeze like
Caterpillars on a leaf
Hair the hue of lions,
beaches dried by morning suns
Promise you will write me a poem
Oh it comes in slow slow whispers
When it comes feels like long long winters
She placed her hand in the sun and
With her shadow smoothed me down
Turn your mind down low now
Hold me close 'for madness comes
Oh it comes in slow slow whispers
When it comes feels like long long winters
Let it come in slow slow whispers
Let it come with its long long winters
The song "Caterpillar" by Emilíana Torrini is a beautiful and soulful ballad that is full of vivid imagery and personal reflection. The opening lines, "The hem of her dress spills over, What covers the seat, N'flutters in the breeze like Caterpillars on a leaf," paint a serene and peaceful picture of a woman relaxing in the warm sun. The imagery of the fluttering hem of her dress is a metaphor for the woman's carefree and unrestricted nature. The caterpillars on a leaf are a representation of the beauty and harmony of nature.
The following lines: "Hair the hue of lions, beaches dried by morning suns, Promise you will write me a poem, Of who I am 'for sadness comes," suggests that the woman is aware of the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of sadness. She asks someone to write a poem about her, perhaps as a form of legacy, to ensure that she is remembered for who she is, rather than just her physical beauty.
The chorus, which repeats twice, signifies the approach of sadness, with the lyrics "Oh it comes in slow slow whispers, When it comes feels like long long winters." The woman acknowledges the inevitability of sadness but accepts it as a natural part of life, which should be given space to unfold in its own time. The song ends with the reassuring words "Let it come in slow slow whispers, Let it come with its long long winters," indicating that the woman is prepared to face whatever life throws her way.
Overall, "Caterpillar" is a heartfelt and thought-provoking song that encourages the listener to embrace life's ups and downs, the beauty of nature, and the importance of being remembered for who we are as individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
The hem of her dress spills over
Her dress is long and flowing, with excess material that falls to the ground.
What covers the seat
The material from her dress covers the seat she's sitting on.
N'flutters in the breeze like
The material from her dress moves with the wind, resembling caterpillars moving along a leaf.
Hair the hue of lions,
Her hair is a bright and bold color, similar to the hue of a lion's fur.
Beaches dried by morning suns
The beaches have been dried and warmed by the morning sun, creating a sense of tranquility.
Promise you will write me a poem
She wants someone to write a poem about her, possibly as a way of immortalizing her essence.
Of who I am 'for sadness comes
She wants the poem to capture who she truly is, as she anticipates experiencing sadness in the future.
Oh it comes in slow slow whispers
Sadness creeps up slowly and quietly.
When it comes feels like long long winters
The sadness feels never-ending and makes time feel slow and burdensome.
She placed her hand in the sun and
She reaches out her hand to feel the warmth of the sun.
With her shadow smoothed me down
Her shadow provides a comforting cover and brings calmness.
Turn your mind down low now
She wants her partner to clear their mind and be present in the moment.
Hold me close 'for madness comes
She asks to be held tightly, as a way of finding comfort and avoiding potentially losing control.
Let it come in slow slow whispers
If sadness has to come, she wants it to come slowly and gently.
Let it come with its long long winters
If sadness has to come, she wants to endure it with patience and resilience, regardless of it feeling like an endless winter.
Contributed by James O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.