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

Lay Down
Emilíana Torrini Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lay down lay down
Lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown

Lay down lay down
Lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up

At the ones who stand and frown

We were so close, there was no room
We bled inside, each other's wounds
We all had caught, the same disease
We all sang, the songs of peace

Lay down lay down
Lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown

Lay down lay down
Lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown

So raise the candles high
'Cause if you don't we could stay black against the night

Oh, raise them higher again
And if you do we could stay dry against the rain

Lay down lay down
Lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown

Lay down lay down
Lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown

We were so close, there was no room
We bled inside, each other's wounds
We all had caught, the same disease
We all sang, the songs of peace

Some came to sing
Some came to pray
Some came to keep
The dark away

Some came to sing
Some came to pray
Some came to keep
The dark away

So raise the candles high
'Cause if you don't we could stay black against the night

Oh raise them high again
And if you do we could stay dry against the rain

Lay down lay down
Lay it all down

Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown ...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Emilíana Torrini's song, "Lay Down," evoke a sense of surrender, unity, and hope in the face of adversity. The repeated phrases "Lay down, lay it all down" seem to suggest a call for letting go of burdens or conflicts and finding peace. The imagery of white birds smiling up at those who stand and frown suggests a contrast between those who embrace tranquility and those who struggle with negativity or judgment.

The lines "We were so close, there was no room, we bled inside each other's wounds" reflect a deep emotional connection and shared pain among individuals, possibly pointing to a sense of empathy and interdependence. The mention of all having caught the same disease and singing songs of peace emphasizes a common humanity and the power of music to bring solace and unity.

The imagery of raising candles high against the night and rain signifies a symbolic act of perseverance and hope in the face of darkness and challenges. By raising the candles, there is a suggestion of pushing back against the forces that seek to bring despair and staying resilient.

The final verses about some coming to sing, pray, and keep the dark away convey a sense of diverse motivations and actions in seeking positivity and protection. The repetition of the message to raise the candles high and the consequences of not doing so against the night and rain reinforces the idea of taking proactive steps to combat negativity and maintain a sense of light and warmth. Overall, the song's lyrics encourage listeners to release their burdens, find unity in shared experiences, and uphold positivity in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Lay down lay down
Encouraging to let go of burdens and rest

Lay it all down
Release all worries and troubles

Let your white birds smile up
Find joy and peace within oneself

At the ones who stand and frown
Despite negativity from others

We were so close, there was no room
Intimacy had no boundaries

We bled inside, each other's wounds
Shared pain and struggles

We all had caught, the same disease
Facing common struggles and challenges

We all sang, the songs of peace
Uniting in hope for tranquility

So raise the candles high
Symbolizing hope and light in darkness

'Cause if you don't we could stay black against the night
Without hope, darkness prevails

Oh, raise them higher again
Urging to keep hope alive