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
Premiere Lovin
Emilíana Torrini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lonely, eating tomato soup, I knew I had to check.
A broken ball of fruits, was lying by your side,
You offered me a chair, I guess just to be polite.
I guess this is my premiere lovin'.
"Do you want some berries with sugar, chocolate and milk?"
I'm here, look at me, but you just lit a cigarette;
"You're not quite what I'm looking for my little marionette"
I guess this is my premiere lovin'.
I guess this is my premiere lovin'.
Well, that's sweet, how nice.
Now what will I do?
Stand up and leave or just sit still and look at you?
Well, that's sweet, how nice.
Now what will I do?
Stand up and leave or just sit still and look at you?
Gleaming, you stood up obviously had a thrill.
I sat there alone of course I had to pay the bill.
That's just great, how nice, what a surprise!
My luck had run out, on to the beach, to the sun, resting, having fun.
I guess this is my premiere lovin'.
I guess this is my premiere lovin'.
I guess this is my premiere lovin'.
The lyrics of Emiliana Torrini's song "Premiere Lovin" describe a situational encounter that the singer has with a man she meets at a restaurant. The man is dressed in a dark, purple suit and has a tissue around his neck while the singer is eating tomato soup. The description of the man's attire and the fact that there is a broken ball of fruits by his side indicates that he is somewhat eccentric. The man offers the singer some berries with sugar, chocolate, and milk, but then proceeds to light a cigarette and tells her that she is not quite what he is looking for in his "little marionette."
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I guess this is my premiere lovin'," emphasizing the sense of disappointment and disillusionment that the singer feels. She is initially drawn to the man but he does not reciprocate her interest and instead dismisses her. The lyrics suggest a kind of power dynamic at play, with the man holding the upper hand and the singer feeling helpless and unsure of what to do. In the end, she is left alone, paying the bill and feeling let down.
Overall, "Premiere Lovin" portrays a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty in the face of interpersonal relationships. The singer's encounter with the man at the restaurant is tinged with a sense of disappointment and disillusionment, highlighting the fear of rejection and the challenges of navigating complex social interactions.
Line by Line Meaning
You wore a dark, purple suit, with a tissue 'round your neck.
You dressed up in a peculiar way that caught my attention.
Lonely, eating tomato soup, I knew I had to check.
I was feeling lonely and saw you, which made me curious.
A broken ball of fruits, was lying by your side,
There was a messy pile of fruits near you.
You offered me a chair, I guess just to be polite.
You offered me a seat out of courtesy.
I guess this is my premiere lovin'.
This might be my first experience of love.
You asked me with a voice of torn old silk.
You asked me in a voice that was both rough and smooth.
"Do you want some berries with sugar, chocolate and milk?"
You offered me berries with additions that are supposed to make them more appealing.
I'm here, look at me, but you just lit a cigarette;
I am trying to get your attention, but you seem disinterested as you light up a cigarette.
"You're not quite what I'm looking for my little marionette"
You say that I'm not your ideal partner.
Well, that's sweet, how nice.
You express something that sounds kind, but it doesn't have any real meaning.
Now what will I do?
I wonder what my next move should be.
Stand up and leave or just sit still and look at you?
Should I leave or just sit here and observe you?
Gleaming, you stood up obviously had a thrill.
You stood up, looking happy and excited.
I sat there alone of course I had to pay the bill.
I ended up paying for my own meal because you left.
That's just great, how nice, what a surprise!
I express sarcasm, feeling frustrated and disappointed.
My luck had run out, on to the beach, to the sun, resting, having fun.
I decide to move on and enjoy myself elsewhere.
I guess this is my premiere lovin'.
Despite the disappointment, I still believe this is my first experience of love.
Contributed by Kayla K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Dracconn_X
The most lovely track on Merman