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
Merman
Emilíana Torrini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You wish that no one could see him,
Only you could be touched by him,
And you could walk alone by his side,
And if you want to dream with him,
Just close your eyes, and hold your breath,
And you'll find that you can breathe in water.
you wish that no one could see him,
No one else could see him,
No one else could feel him.
When you look into his eyes,
you wish that no one could see him,
No one else could see him,
No one else could feel him.
When you look into his eyes,
You feel he's telling you goodbye,
He says "I'm off into the living".
And your lungs ache filled with water.
You watch how he walks you by.
And all the fish follow him.
You smile 'cause you'll always be his lover.
When you look into his eyes,
you wish that no one could see him,
No one else could see him,
No one else could feel him.
When you look into his eyes,
you wish that no one could see him,
No one else could see him,
No one else could feel him.
The song "Merman" by Emiliana Torrini appears to be about a woman mesmerized by a mysterious and elusive man, who may or may not be a merman. The opening lines convey a desire for exclusivity, a wish that only she could have access to him. She imagines being able to breathe in water and walk alone by his side, which could suggest a desire for a deeper, more intimate connection with him that transcends the limitations of the physical world.
The next verse introduces doubt and the possibility of loss. The man tells her he's "off into the living," which could be interpreted as him needing to leave her behind and return to his own world. As he walks away, the woman is filled with conflicting emotions - she's happy to have been in his company and knows she will always love him, but at the same time, there's a sense of sadness and longing.
Throughout the song, the repeating refrain of "you wish that no one could see him, no one else could feel him" reinforces the idea that this connection is something that only she can experience. The merman represents a mysterious and ultimately unattainable object of desire, one that the singer may have to let go of.
Line by Line Meaning
When you look into his eyes,
You wish that no one could see him, No one else could see him, No one else could feel him.
You feel he's telling you goodbye,
He says 'I'm off into the living'. And your lungs ache filled with water.
You watch how he walks you by.
And all the fish follow him. You smile 'cause you'll always be his lover.
And if you want to dream with him,
Just close your eyes, and hold your breath, And you'll find that you can breathe in water.
Only you could be touched by him,
And you could walk alone by his side,
Contributed by Christopher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
NeverStoppedSinging
It's always amazing finding other Emiliana Torrini fans. I adore that woman and her amazing work! And the whole album Merman is superb. Again, thank you for uploading!!
NeverStoppedSinging
My God, FINALLY !!! Thank you so so much!! There was no good version of this song on youtube up until now. You're great! I think this is the best Emiliana's song, it always takes me to another world...
bulinho05
Yes, I looked it up yesterday and the only version I found was a very horrible one, so I uploaded it.. But I'm afraid Youtube might take it down any minute... =\ Let's hope they dont! This is also one of my favorite songs by her!
misstreebird
THANK YOU~