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
I Really Loved Harold
Emilíana Torrini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
I'd go to heaven if I was good.
Now I'm a long way from little,
'Cause I tried to find heaven,
'Cause I thought that I could.
I thought that I could.
And I thought I loved Harold,
I really loved Alphy
I almost loved Tom.
I loved them so easy,
And I loved them so free.
Now I don't think that heaven
Will wanna love me.
Hallo, song of the willow,
The dreams under my pillow,
Turned to tears that I cried.
Beauty and love are our riddle,
Never to answer, but always to try.
And, boy, did I try.
And I tried with Harold,
And I tried with John.
I tried with Alphy,
And almost with Tom.
I left myself open,
For the whole world to see.
Now I don't think that heaven
Will wanna love me.
So I said goodbye to Harold,
And goodbye to John.
Goodbye to Alphy,
And goodbye to Tom.
I loved them so easy,
And I loved them so free.
Now I don't think that heaven
Will wanna love me.
Oh say, can you see?
By the dawn's early light
No light will shine me
The lyrics to Emiliana Torrini's "I Really Loved Harold" can be seen as the internal struggle of a person who has been taught to believe that being "good" will lead to heaven. This person has grown up and tried to find heaven through loving people, but has come to the realization that this love may not be enough to earn their place in heaven. The person recalls the men they loved - Harold, John, Alphy, and Tom - and how easy and free their love was, but now wonders if their actions were enough to qualify them for heaven. The chorus repeats the idea that the person no longer thinks that heaven will want to love them, indicating a sense of guilt or fear that they have not done enough to earn their place.
The lyrics also touch on the idea that beauty and love are a riddle that cannot be fully answered, but one that we continue to try to answer nonetheless. The dreams under the person's pillow have turned to tears that they have cried, possibly indicating disappointment or frustration with love and its perceived inability to earn them a place in heaven.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Really Loved Harold" can be seen as a reflection on the human desire for love and connection, and how this desire is often coupled with a desire to find meaning or purpose in life. The person in the song has tried to find heaven through their love for others, but has come to the realization that this love may not be enough. The lyrics leave the listener to ponder what, if anything, is enough to earn a place in heaven.
Contributed by Abigail D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TheNashjim
I love this cover by Emiliana of Melanie's I Really Loved Harold. Emiliana captures the feeling of the lyrics really well.
Elisabeth Seaton
This is Good. Many people wishing that they could even come close.. I would like to hear something she did recently. I found her while searching for the original by Melanie and I will keep listening if I can find more of her
Tamara
a beautiful cover of Melanie's song, and I still prefer the original.
Istvan Kincses
Great song!
Gilles Lagrée
une merveille
Rose Bush
thank you for going there
Rose Bush
xoxoxoxoxoxooxoxox
Groovy Guru
Not bad at all
DrRisk01
DAmn, she loves everyone. o.o
Obstsalatissimo
she should stick with her own songs (some of those are VERY good!) , her covers are not worth much, just imitating the originals, what's the use, if not participating in the original's fame???