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
Love In The Time Of Science
Emilíana Torrini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Very scientifically
Share your thoughts with me
Send them over land and sea
They seep through walls
Echo down abandoned halls
They cling to skin
Let me see your joy and fear
Be you far away, so near
How can it be, we never seem to see
What we have until it's gone
Why is it so, we never know
What we have until it's gone
The more i try
All the faster you'll slip by
There things are never free
But then again, they shouldnt be
So vaaaaaporize
Slide to me like liquid ice
I loooooong to be
The object of your school, see me
I can see into your eyes
The deepest blue of winter skies
Why is it so, we never know
What we have until it's gone
Until we burn, we'll never learn
What we have until it's gone
Ssssscientificl-cl-cl-cl-cl
Sssscientificl-cl-cl-cl-cl
I can see into your eyes
The deepest blue of winter skies!
Why is it so, we never know
What we have until it's gone
Until we burn, we never learn
What we have until it's gone
The lyrics of "Love in the Time of Science" by Emilíana Torrini reflect upon the irony of human nature where we often fail to appreciate what we have until it's taken away from us. The song begins with the singer asking her lover to approach their relationship in a scientific way and share their thoughts with her. However, she recognizes that emotions are not always rational and scientific, but they have the power to penetrate deep into our souls. She asks her lover to let her see their joy and fear, no matter how far apart they may be physically.
As the song progresses, the singer realizes that while she may try to hold onto what she loves, it may slip away faster. She acknowledges that things that matter to us are not always free, and we often take them for granted. The chorus emphasizes the idea that it's only when we lose something that we realize its true worth. The lyrics end with the singer looking into her lover's eyes, comparing them to the deepest blue of a winter sky, and highlighting the importance of appreciating what we have in the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Thinnnnnnnk of me
Remind yourself of me in a thoughtful and considerate manner
Very scientifically
Using a logical and analytical approach
Share your thoughts with me
Tell me what's on your mind
Send them over land and sea
Communicate with me regardless of distance
They seep through walls
Thoughts can penetrate even barriers
Echo down abandoned halls
Thoughts can resonate even in vacant spaces
They cling to skin
Thoughts can emotionally affect a person
And penetrate the bones within
Thoughts can have a deep and lasting impact
Let me see your joy and fear
Allow me to experience your emotions with you
Be you far away, so near
Though physically distant, be emotionally close
How can it be, we never seem to see
Why is it that we often fail to recognize what's right in front of us?
What we have until it's gone
We often only appreciate something once it's lost
The more i try
The harder I attempt
All the faster you'll slip by
The harder I push, the quicker you'll leave
There things are never free
Important things often come at a cost
But then again, they shouldnt be
However, we shouldn't take important things for granted
So vaaaaaporize
Fade away
Slide to me like liquid ice
Come to me in a smooth and effortless manner
I loooooong to be
I deeply desire to be
The object of your school, see me
To be the focus of your attention and affection
I can see into your eyes
I understand you on a deep level
The deepest blue of winter skies
As clear and profound as the winter sky
Until we burn, we'll never learn
Sometimes we have to experience loss or failure to grow and gain new insights
Contributed by Grace A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.