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
Fisherman’s Woman
Emilíana Torrini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like Anna Ingunn's mom
The gladiator of all fisherman's wives
Makes it a lot easier thinking of you
On the sea where you have to be a month at a time
Working hard in the day
Your hands cracking from the cold and the salt
You try to sleep by listening to the boat breathing
The boat breathing
And the only thing
The only thing you can think of is me
Waiting for you by the window
With the brightest red lipstick on my lips
Just like Anna waits for her man
How will I learn
I'll wait
The lyrics to Emiliana Torrini's song Fisherman's Woman revolve around the idea of being a supportive partner to a fisherman who spends months away from home at sea. The singer pretends to be a good fisherman's woman just like Anna Ingunn's mom, who is considered the gladiator of all fisherman's wives. The idea of pretending here comes from the fact that it is not always easy to be away from loved ones for long periods, and one needs to put up a brave face to make it through.
The singer imagines her partner on the sea, working hard during the day, and having his hands scratched by the cold and the salt. At night, when he retires to bed, he tries to sleep by listening to the boat breathing. Here the boat breathing is a metaphor for the rhythmic creaking and groaning sounds of the sea vessel. The only thought on his mind is the singer, who is waiting for him with bright red lipstick on her lips, just like Anna Ingunn's mom. The lyrics indicate that waiting for someone you love for months on end is a trying task, but like Anna and other fisherman's wives, the singer too will wait and be strong.
Overall, Emiliana Torrini's song Fisherman's woman is a poignant meditation on the life of fisherman's wives and partners. The singer, in this case, imagines herself waiting for her loved one to return home and the struggles she may face in his absence. The lyrics are vivid and descriptive, transporting the listener to the sea and making them feel the emotions of the singer.
**Interesting facts about Fisherman's Woman:**
* The song was written by Torrini and Dan Carey and was released in 2005 on the album Fisherman's Woman.
* Emiliana Torrini is an Icelandic singer who has released various albums since the 90s. She is known for her indie and folk-inspired music.
* Many of the songs on the album Fisherman's Woman are inspired by Torrini's upbringing in a fishing village in Iceland.
* The song was recorded in Torrini's kitchen with live instrumentation, which adds to its intimate and authentic feel.
* The album Fisherman's Woman received critical acclaim upon its release and was named one of the top ten albums of 2005 by The Observer.
* Torrini's voice has been described as soft and soothing, and it perfectly complements the introspective and contemplative themes of the song.
* Fisherman's Woman was not released as a single, but the album received airplay on radio and television in some countries.
* The lyrics and themes of the song have resonated with many people who relate to the struggles of being in a long-distance relationship or having a partner who works away from home.
* Emiliana Torrini has performed the song live at various concerts and festivals, including the Roskilde Festival and the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
* The chords for Fisherman's Woman are D, Dsus, A, Bm, G, D/F#, Em, A7.
Chords: D, Dsus, A, Bm, G, D/F#, Em, A7. (Note: chord progression may vary depending on the version of the song.)
Line by Line Meaning
I'm pretending to be a good fisherman's woman
I'm trying my best to be the ideal partner for a fisherman
Just like Anna Ingunn's mom
I want to emulate the qualities of a good fisherman's wife that Anna's mom possesses
The gladiator of all fisherman's wives
Anna's mom is the epitome of strength and resilience when it comes to being a fisherman's wife
Makes it a lot easier thinking of you
Imagining you helps me deal with the difficulties of being apart for long periods of time
On the sea where you have to be a month at a time
You have to spend an entire month on the sea due to your profession
Working hard in the day
You put in a lot of effort and hard work during the day to provide for us
Your hands cracking from the cold and the salt
Your hands are suffering from the effects of cold and salty water
In the night when you go to bed
At night when you retire to bed after a long day
You try to sleep by listening to the boat breathing
The sound of the boat helps you to sleep and relax in the night
And the only thing
The only thought that occupies your mind at this time
The only thing you can think of is me
You think of me and our love as the only source of comfort during your absences
Waiting for you by the window
I eagerly wait for you by the window, longing for your return
With the brightest red lipstick on my lips
I adorn myself with red lipstick to signify my passion for you
Just like Anna waits for her man
My waiting and devotion to you is akin to how Anna waits for her man
How will I learn
I wonder how I can become as strong and resilient as Anna's mom
I'll wait
I'll be here waiting for you, because our love is worth the wait
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMILIANA TORRINI, FRANCIS EG WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind