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
In Emiliana Torrini's song "Fisherman's Woman," the singer assumes the identity of a good fisherman's wife. She mentions Anna Ingunn's mother, who is seen as a model wife, respected by all fishermen. This allusion sets the stage for the difficulties faced by fisherman's wives. The singer seems to be empathetic towards her fisherman lover who has to stay at sea for a month, leaving behind his family. She references the strenuous work that her lover does during the day, and the adverse conditions he has to bear, such as the cold and salty water that causes his hands to crack.
The loneliness and isolation experienced by fisherman's wives is also highlighted. The singer talks about how her lover tries to sleep by listening to the boat breathing, and the only thing he can think of is her waiting for him with bright red lipstick on her lips. She links this to Anna, who also waits for her man at home. The singer seems resolute in her determination to endure the separation and wait for her lover to come back home, even though she acknowledges that it won't be easy. Overall, the song portrays the harsh realities of a fisherman's life, while also highlighting the strength and resilience of the women left onshore waiting for their loved ones to return.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm pretending to be a good fisherman's woman
I'm trying to live up to the expectations and demands of being the wife of a fisherman
Just like Anna Ingunn's mom
Aspire to be like the successful and experienced wife of the most skilled fisherman in the village
The gladiator of all fisherman's wives
Fierce and strong, ready to battle through the challenges of being a fisherman's wife
Makes it a lot easier thinking of you
Thinking of you helps me to get through the tough times and the long waits
On the sea where you have to be a month at a time
You have to be away for a long time at sea, leaving me behind to wait and worry
Working hard in the day
You work tirelessly under the harsh conditions of the sea
Your hands cracking from the cold and the salt
The cold and salty conditions are taking a toll on your hands, making them crack and hurt
In the night when you go to bed
When you lay down to rest after a long day, you struggle to fall asleep
You try to sleep by listening to the boat breathing
The sound of the boat is the only comfort you have in the dark night
The boat breathing
The sound of the boat's inner workings and motion
And the only thing
The one and only thing
The only thing you can think of is me
Your thoughts and heart are consumed by the memory of me
Waiting for you by the window
I am waiting for your return at the window, looking out for your ship
With the brightest red lipstick on my lips
I wear lipstick as a symbol of my loyalty and love for you
Just like Anna waits for her man
Similar to Anna, who awaits her lover's return from war
How will I learn
How will I learn to live without you when you are gone for so long?
I'll wait
I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EMILIANA TORRINI, FRANCIS EG WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind