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

Serenade
Emilíana Torrini Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

New world forming
Picturesque in its stance
Midnight calling
Moonlight shadows start to dance

For the dark finds ways of being
Engraved in the light
And the heart bears indentations

Of yesterdays hurting child
The now we will run with smiles
The morrow will heal the night so
Morning comes
Midnight make fast with the sun
I can hear my name be reborn
On the cloud within the sky beneath the dawn

Oh I
Serenade the dawn
Serenade the dawn
Serenade the dawn

For the dark finds ways of being
Engraved in the light
And the heart bears indentations
Of yesterdays hurting child
The now we will run with smiles
The morrow will heal the night so
Morning comes
Midnight make fast with the sun
I can hear my name be reborn
On the cloud within the sky beneath the dawn

Oh I
Serenade the dawn
Serenade the dawn
Serenade the dawn

Da da da da dumb dumb
Da dumb dumb

Da da da da dumb dumb
Da dumb dum

Overall Meaning

The song 'Serenade' by Emiliana Torrini has a mysterious and dreamy vibe that draws you in through her vivid lyrics. The first verse sets the scene for a new world forming, with picturesque imagery that seems to be a rebirth or a new beginning. As Midnight approaches, a sense of anticipation builds, and the moonlight shadows begin to dance, forecasting something enchanting on the horizon. However, the verses also hint at a past filled with hurt and pain that has been engraved in the heart, leaving behind deep scars.

But the lyrics convey a sense of hope, with "now we will run with smiles" and "the morrow will heal the night," indicating that the future carries an inherent optimism for all those experiencing painful pasts. The chorus then emphasizes the way that she serenades the dawn. The music draws a beautiful contrast between the two worlds of darkness and light, ultimately affirming hope the arrival of morning, with the promise of brightness since midnight will make fast with the sun.

Overall, Emiliana Torrini's 'Serenade' seems to be a meditation on the power of hope to overcome past pain and dark times, as well as a celebration of the new beginnings that each dawn brings.

Line by Line Meaning

New world forming
A new beginning is emerging

Picturesque in its stance
It's beautiful and promising

Midnight calling
Nighttime is approaching

Moonlight shadows start to dance
Shadows are appearing under the moonlight

For the dark finds ways of being
The darkness always finds a way to exist

Engraved in the light
It's evident despite the light

And the heart bears indentations
Past experiences have marked our emotions

Of yesterdays hurting child
Memories of the pain we have gone through

The now we will run with smiles
We'll face the present with positivity

The morrow will heal the night so
Tomorrow will ease the darkness of tonight

Morning comes
Dawn is about to arrive