Her debut album, A Fraction of You, was released 27 March 2006 in France and in her native Sweden and Finland on 14 June 2006. It features musicians such as Tom McClung on piano and arrangements, José Palmer on guitar, Diego Imbert on double bass and Karl Jannuska on drums. Fredrika wrote the lyrics and music.
Her second album, Tributaries, was released 7 May 2008 in France, Sweden and Germany. It was also released in Japan, Poland, the Russian Federation and South Korea. It features Hiro Morozumi on piano, Øyvind Nypan and Andreas Öberg on guitar, Pierre Boussaguet and Acelio de Paula on bass and Simoné Prattico on drums as well as a large array of Parisian horn and string musicians.
Official website: http://www.fredrikastahl.com
Willow
Fredrika Stahl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems like I always come to you
Hollow, until he returns
It aches and it burns
I lean on you
Your shadow's hanging over me
And keeps me from being found
Absorbs into your ground
Show me something new
On which I can rely
To help me to get through
Give me just one sign
On which I can hold on
To recall the love we knew
Sparrow, came in the spring
It sang me the things it'd seen far west
Then sorrow, came with the wind
And with broken wings
I regained my nest
Your drapes are closing over me
I'm safe within your womb
This is where I said I'll wait
So this will be my tomb
Show me something new
On which I can rely
To help me to get through
Give me just one sign
On which I can hold on
To recall the love I knew
Show me something new
On which I can rely
To recall the love I knew
The lyrics of "Willow" by Fredrika Stahl highlight the theme of finding comfort and solace in nature when times are tough. The song opens with the singer addressing the willow tree and acknowledging that she always comes back to it whenever she is hurt or lonely. The second verse brings to light the shadow of her troubles, which seem to encompass her completely, and she feels lost until she rests on the tree's shaded roots. Stahl compares the tears she sheds to rain droplets that the tree absorbs into its ground.
The last verse introduces a sparrow coming into her life, singing of the beauty it witnessed in a distant land. In contrast, she later experiences sorrow brought about by broken wings, but she regains her strength and returns to her haven, where the tree embraces her within its protective walls. The chorus emphasizes the need for something new, an optimistic path to rely on, with a sign of the love once felt. It is a wish for the tree to provide reassurance and to signify the hope of a better tomorrow.
Overall, the song eloquently portrays the power of nature's embrace, the hope it provides and is a reminder that while we may feel alone, there's always a place to turn for comfort and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Willow, wherever he goes
The singer finds comfort in the presence of the willow tree whenever the subject of the song is absent
It seems like I always come to you
The singer consistently finds themselves returning to the willow tree for comfort and solace
Hollow, until he returns
The singer feels incomplete and empty while waiting for the subject's return
It aches and it burns
The intense longing for the subject is causing physical and emotional pain for the artist
I lean on you
The artist relies on the willow tree to support them during difficult times
Your shadow's hanging over me
The willow tree's presence is a constant reminder of the subject's absence
And keeps me from being found
The singer feels lost and disconnected from themselves without the comfort of the willow tree
Comfort comes as all my tears
The act of crying and releasing emotions brings comfort to the artist
Absorbs into your ground
The willow tree absorbs the artist's sorrows and pain, providing a sense of release
Show me something new
The artist is seeking a new source of comfort
On which I can rely
This new source of comfort needs to be dependable and consistent
To help me to get through
The artist needs support to overcome their current struggles
Give me just one sign
The singer requires a clear indication of hope and reassurance
On which I can hold on
The singer needs something tangible to grasp onto for stability
To recall the love we knew
The singer is attempting to reconnect with the love and comfort they once knew
Sparrow, came in the spring
A sparrow bird visited the artist during the spring season
It sang me the things it'd seen far west
The sparrow shared its experiences from its travels out west with the artist
Then sorrow, came with the wind
After the sparrow left, the singer was struck with sadness
And with broken wings
The singer also feels broken and helpless
I regained my nest
The artist returned to what they know and are familiar with for safety and comfort
Your drapes are closing over me
The willow tree provides a protective and nurturing environment for the artist
I'm safe within your womb
The willow tree feels like a motherly figure, providing safety and protection for the artist
This is where I said I'll wait
The singer has chosen to wait under the willow tree until the subject's return
So this will be my tomb
The artist is willing to wait for the subject for as long as it takes, even if it means staying under the willow tree forever
To recall the love I knew
The singer desires to hold onto the memories of the love they once shared
Writer(s): Fredrika Stahl Copyright: Sony/ATV Music Publishing (France) Sas
Contributed by Scarlett F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.