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
Stephanie Says
Emilíana Torrini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That she wants to know,
Why she's given half her life
To people she hates now.
Stephanie says
When answering the phone
What country shall I say is calling,
But she's not afraid to die,
The people all call her Alaska,
Between worlds, so the people ask her,
'Cause it's all in her mind.
It's all in her mind.
Stephanie says,
That she wants to know,
Why it is though she's the door
She can't be the room.
Stephanie says,
But doesn't hang up the phone,
What seashell-sea is callin',
From across the world?
But she's not afraid to die,
The people all call her Alaska,
Between worlds, so people ask her,
'Cause it's all in her mind.
It's all in her mind.
They're asking "Is it good or bad?"
It's such an icy feeling.
It's so cold in Alaska!
The song "Stephanie Says" by Emilíana Torrini is a melancholic ballad that explores the complexities of a woman named Stephanie. The song opens with Stephanie pondering over a question that has been bothering her - why has she spent so much of her life with people she now hates? The lyrics seem to question the choices we make in life and how they shape our identity. The song also touches upon the idea of escaping reality through imagination, as Stephanie imagines herself to be "between worlds" and is referred to as "Alaska" by those around her.
Stephanie is portrayed as someone who is not afraid of death, despite being called "Alaska" or being stuck between two worlds. The second stanza of the song further highlights Stephanie's frustration with her inability to be the room instead of just the door. It is a metaphorical statement that explores how Stephanie feels unable to take control of her life because of past decisions.
The line "They're asking 'Is it good or bad?'" is a nod to the uncertainty that Stephanie feels about her own life. The song ends with the statement "It's so cold in Alaska!" which could be interpreted in multiple ways. The thematic elements of the song suggest that it could be a reference to the coldness and detachment of modern life or the isolation that Stephanie feels.
Overall, "Stephanie Says" is a reflective and thought-provoking song that explores the complexities of identity and the choices we make in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Stephanie says,
Stephanie expresses herself by talking.
That she wants to know,
She has a desire to understand.
Why she's given half her life
To people she hates now.
She's questioning why she wasted her time on people she currently dislikes.
When answering the phone
What country shall I say is calling,
From across the world?
Stephanie wants to know which country the person calling her is from.
But she's not afraid to die,
The people all call her Alaska,
Between worlds, so the people ask her,
'Cause it's all in her mind.
It's all in her mind.
Stephanie is not scared of death and has earned the nickname Alaska because she's in-between worlds, causing people to ask her about things that only exist in her head.
That she wants to know,
Why it is though she's the door
She can't be the room.
Stephanie is frustrated because, even though she is the means of entry, she can't be in charge of the situation.
But she's not afraid to die,
The people all call her Alaska,
Between worlds, so people ask her,
'Cause it's all in her mind.
It's all in her mind.
Stephanie is unfazed by the prospect of death, and people ask her questions that can only be found in her imagination.
They're asking "Is it good or bad?"
It's such an icy feeling.
It's so cold in Alaska!
The people want to know if the situation is beneficial or harmful, which leaves Stephanie with a chilly sensation, almost as if she were in Alaska.
Contributed by Julian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Einar
Stunning cover from adorable Emiliana. Makes the song as her own. You need talent to do that.
Aclaret Claret
« Makes the song as her own » .
Perfectly said.
fabrizzio_xd9
Que gran canción, se me llena el alma de recuerdos al volver escucharla...
Ennio DiMinas
Wonderful version of a great tune! Greets from Brazil!
Minstrum
Simplement magnifique Emiliana Torrini, dans la grande majorité des cas les reprises ou cover sont moins bien que l' original voir franchement mauvais Emiliana elle prouve que ca peut être l' inverse. Stephanie Says chanter par Emilina Torrini est une véritable merveille. Emiliana .Torrini is a miracle to listen to, to Sign a French fan.
MrTitian
finora la migliore interpretazione, a mio parere, bravissima!!!
George Penwell
I would love to hear her voice whispering in my ear for the rest of my life.
Hieu Ha
Break my hearth
Sarah M.
So would I, George. So would I. I wouldn't need a lullaby machine 😊
Böðvar Jónsson
Her best song IMHO