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
Unemployed In Summertime
Emilíana Torrini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walk up Primrose Hill until we lose our way
We'll get sunburned on the grass
Playing silly buggers 'til I make a pass
And you laugh at my face
Unemployed in summertime
I've only just turned 21, I'll be okay
Don't need money 'cause we're young
I'll just stay awake till the morning
With makeup all over my face
Sorry don't get mad at me
I just did the sex quiz from your magazine
You're my best friend in the world
Just like me you don't do anything you're told
Unemployed in summertime
I've only just turned 21, I'll be okay
Unemployed in summertime
Don't need money 'cause we're young
I'll just stay awake 'til the morning
With makeup all over my face
On a mission for my summer kiss
I close my eyes and wet my lips
But then I miss
And you laugh at my face
Unemployed in summertime
I've only just turned 21, I'll be okay
Unemployed in summertime
Don't need money 'cause we're young
I'll just stay awake 'til the morning
With makeup all over my face
Unemployed in summertime
I've only just turned 21, I'll be okay
The lyrics of "Unemployed in Summertime" by Emiliana Torrini revolve around the carefree attitude and experiences of the singer and her friend during one summer. The song begins by describing the plan to get drunk and wander up Primrose Hill until they lose their path, with the intention of having fun and forgetting everything else. Torrini also refers to engaging in silly buggers, which is British slang for playfully teasing or annoying someone. The singer hints at an attraction to her friend, but it is not clear whether she passes on her advances successfully.
As the title suggests, the song deals with summer unemployment and the feeling of being free from the daily burdens of life. The chorus repeats the line "unemployed in summertime," with the singer asserting that because of their youth, they don't need money to enjoy themselves. The lyrics convey the idea that despite not having a job, they are still okay and will be able to survive the summer. Torrini reflects on this period of her life with fondness, choosing to stay up all night instead of worrying about what the future may hold.
Overall, "Unemployed in Summertime" by Emiliana Torrini is a youthful and carefree song. Its composition and reflective lyricism have made it an easy-going summer tune, celebrating being young and carefree during a typically laid-back season.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's get drunk on Saturday
Let's lose ourselves in the moment, and indulge in intoxication on the weekend
Walk up Primrose Hill until we lose our way
Let's take a leisurely stroll up the hill until we get lost in the beauty of the surroundings
We'll get sunburned on the grass
We'll bask in the warmth of the sun's rays and get a tan on the grass
Playing silly buggers 'til I make a pass
Let's have some harmless fun until I initiate a romantic gesture
And you laugh at my face
You find my attempts amusing and are not deterred by my failed advances
Unemployed in summertime
I'm without work during this season
I've only just turned 21, I'll be okay
I'm young and optimistic, and believe everything will work out fine
Don't need money 'cause we're young
We can enjoy life without worrying about our financial situation because we have the flexibility of youth
I'll just stay awake till the morning
I'll stay up all night and enjoy the company of those around me
With makeup all over my face
I don't worry about my appearance and am carefree about how I present myself
Sorry don't get mad at me
Please forgive me for what I am about to reveal
I just did the sex quiz from your magazine
I took the quiz in your magazine and found it to be entertaining
You're my best friend in the world
You mean everything to me and I cherish our friendship
Just like me you don't do anything you're told
We both have a tendency to be independent and do things our own way
On a mission for my summer kiss
I am looking for that one perfect romantic moment during the summer
I close my eyes and wet my lips
I prepare myself for that anticipated kiss
But then I miss
The moment doesn't happen as planned
Unemployed in summertime
I'm still without work during this season
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie, Emiliana Torrini, Francis Anthony White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind