Emilíana Torrini (Emilíana Torrini Davíðsdóttir, born on 16 May 1977 in Kóp… Read Full Bio ↴Emilíana Torrini (Emilíana Torrini Davíðsdóttir, born on 16 May 1977 in Kópavogur, Iceland) is an Icelandic singer-songwriter.

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

Hold Your Hand
Emilíana Torrini Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Maybe I find it hard
Watching you live
Maybe I find the truth
Questions I can't bare
Feeling so tired
I'm wondering where
Selfish love inspires
Are you there to hold my hand

Saving me who I spy

Maybe you are the rain
Who makes my eyes closed
Ocean's grey and grey
Feeling my despair
Your happy smile is broken
I'm wondering there
Selfish love has spoken

Are you here to hold
Are you there to hold my hand
Selfish love has spoken
Saving me who I spy
Are you here to hold
Are you there to hold my hand
Selfish love has spoken
Saving me who I spy
Are you here to hold
Are you there to hold my hand

Selfish love has spoken
Saving me who I spy

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Emiliana Torrini's song "Hold Your Hand" are full of emotions that touch upon the theme of loneliness, self-doubt, and the importance of support from loved ones. In the first stanza, the singer admits to finding it hard to watch the person she loves living their life, possibly without her. There are questions she can't bear to ask because she fears the truth. She feels tired and wonders where her selfish love for this person will lead her. She is hoping that this person will be there to hold her hand and save her despite the fact that she feels like a spy.

In the second stanza, the singer compares the person she loves to the rain that makes her close her eyes. She describes the ocean as being gray and feeling like despair. She does not know how to interpret the person's happy smile, as his love for her seems broken. Once again, she highlights her selfish love, and she is questioning where it leads her.

The chorus repeats the question, "Are you there to hold my hand?" which shows the importance of the emotional support from the person she loves. She seems to be isolated and in need of comfort, hence her spying-like tendencies. The song suggests that even though she questions the nature of their relationship, whether it is selfless or selfish, she needs the person to be there for her emotionally.

Overall, the song conveys a feeling of vulnerability and the dependence we have on others. It shows that we need the support and love of those close to us to get through the most challenging times in our lives.

Line by Line Meaning

Maybe I find it hard
I struggle to accept or understand the situation

Watching you live
Observing you as you go on with your life

Maybe I find the truth
Perhaps facing the reality of the situation is difficult

Questions I can't bare
The uncertainty is unbearable

Feeling so tired
Emotionally and mentally exhausted

I'm wondering where
I'm unsure of where to go or what to do next

Selfish love inspires
Love that is focused on one's own desires and needs

Are you there to hold my hand
Are you available for emotional support

Saving me who I spy
Rescuing me from my own insecurities and doubts

Maybe you are the rain
You may bring tears or sorrow into my life

Who makes my eyes closed
Causing me to shut out the world and retreat within myself

Ocean's grey and grey
The world around me feels cold and emotionless

Feeling my despair
Experiencing deep sadness and hopelessness

Your happy smile is broken
Even your joy cannot alleviate my pain or despair

I'm wondering there
Doubting my ability to find a way out of my situation

Selfish love has spoken
Prioritizing one's own feelings and desires above others

Are you here to hold
Will you stay by my side and support me