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

Miss Cele's Blues
Emilíana Torrini Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hmmmmmm...

Sister - you've been on my mind
Oh sister - we're two of a kind
So sister - I'm keeping my eyes on you

I bet you think i dont know nothin' - but singing the blues
Oh sister - have i got news for you

I'm somethin' - I hope you think that you're somethin' too

Oh scuffling
I've been down that lonesome road
And I've seen alot of sun going down
Oh but trust me
No low life's gonna run me around

So let me tell you somethin' sister - remember your name
No twister's gonna steal your stuff away
My sister - we sho' ain't got a whole lot of time

Soooo shake your shimmy sister
'Cause honey this shug
Is feeling fine

Woo - hoo!
Hahahahahahaha!

Overall Meaning

In Emilíana Torrini's song "Miss Cele's Blues," the lyrics speak of sisterhood and empowerment. The singer addresses her sister, emphasizing the bond they share and the similarities between them. The singer acknowledges that others may underestimate them but asserts that they are both something special. The line "I'm keeping my eyes on you" suggests that the singer has high expectations for her sister and supports her in whatever she does.

The lyrics continue to convey a sense of resilience and strength. The phrase "I've been down that lonesome road" implies that the singer has experienced hardship and challenges in life, but she refuses to be defeated. She assures her sister that no one can bring her down or manipulate her. The line "No twister's gonna steal your stuff away" reminds her sister to stay true to herself and protect her identity.

Line by Line Meaning

Sister - you've been on my mind
I have been thinking about you, sister

Oh sister - we're two of a kind
We have similar characteristics, sister

So sister - I'm keeping my eyes on you
I am closely watching over you, sister

I bet you think i dont know nothin' - but singing the blues
You may believe I am ignorant, but I know a lot about singing the blues

Oh sister - have i got news for you
I have exciting news to share with you, sister

I'm somethin' - I hope you think that you're somethin' too
I have worth, and I hope you believe in your worth as well

Oh scuffling
There have been struggles

I've been down that lonesome road
I have experienced a difficult journey

And I've seen alot of sun going down
I have witnessed many endings

Oh but trust me
However, believe me

No low life's gonna run me around
I won't allow anyone of low character to take advantage of me