At the age of eight, Yohanna was talent-spotted by singing teacher María Björk and offered a place at her performing arts school. The following year – 1999 – she recorded her first album (at the age of nine). It was released in 2000 and obtained great success in her adopted country, so much so it was followed by a second album in 2001 and a third, comprising popular Christmas carols, in 2003.
After a planned break to allow her voice to mature, her comeback album as an adult entitled Butterflies and Elvis was released in Iceland in early 2008 (a re-release across Europe is planned). It is a collaboration between Yohanna, British songwriter Lee Horrocks and sound engineer Thomas Yezzi.
In 2009, Yohanna was approached by songwriter Óskar Páll Sveinsson to perform his entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. The Icelandic public voted "Is It True?" through to the first semi-final in Moscow on 12th May 2009, in which she qualified for the final by finishing in first place (174 points). In the final, held on 16th May, Yohanna finished as runner-up (218 points) behind Norway (387 points), whose song was pre-contest favourite and winner of the second semi-final.
Since 2008’s Butterflies and Elvis, Yohanna has released all tracks and performed under the name “Yohanna” as it is reported that “Jóhanna” was likely to be mispronounced in countries outside her homeland, an issue as her commercial appeal widens.
Is It True
Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you’re not afraid to show me
what is in your eyes
So tell me about the rumours
Are they only rumours?
Are they only lies?
Falling out of a perfect dream, coming out of the blue.
Is it over?
Did I throw it away?
Was it you?
Did you tell me you would never leave me this way?
If you really knew me
You couldn’t do this to me
You would be my friend
If one of us is lying
There’s no use in trying
No need to pretend
Falling out of a perfect dream, coming out of the blue
Is it true?
Is it over?
Did I throw it away?
Was it you?
Did you tell me you would never leave me this way?
Is it true?
Is it over?
Did I throw it away?
Was it you?
Did you tell me you would never leave me this way?
Is it real?
Did I dream it?
Will I wake from this pain
Is it true?
Is it over?
Baby did I throw it away?
The lyrics of Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir's song, Is It True, delve into the confusion of a person who has been betrayed and is trying to come to terms with the truth of the situation. The song begins with the person's partner claiming that they know them well and are willing to express their emotions openly. However, the person starts to question their partner and asks them about the rumors that they have been hearing. They want to know if the rumors are true or if their partner is lying to them.
As the song progresses, the person starts to question their own judgment and wonders if they pushed away their partner by making a mistake. They wonder if their partner ever truly loved them and if they will ever come back. The person is in extreme emotional pain and is not sure if what they are feeling is real or just a dream.
The chorus of the song, "Is it true? Is it over? Did I throw it away? Was it you? Did you tell me you would never leave me this way?" portrays the person's confusion about their situation, and they are desperately trying to figure out if they are at fault or if their partner is the one who betrayed them.
Overall, the song is an emotional ballad that explores feelings of confusion and betrayal, with the singer trying to come to terms with what has happened in their relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you really know me,
You claim to understand me completely,
you’re not afraid to show me
You are not hesitant to demonstrate your feelings to me
what is in your eyes
The emotions in your eyes, you are revealing to me
So tell me about the rumours
Kindly, share with me your side of the stories others are spreading
Are they only rumours?
Are they mere gossip and not true events?
Are they only lies?
Are people deceiving me by spreading these rumors?
Falling out of a perfect dream, coming out of the blue.
Unexpectedly, things seem to be falling apart
Is it true?
Is what they say about us a fact?
Is it over?
Is it truly the end of our relationship?
Did I throw it away?
Did my actions ruin our relationship?
Was it you?
Did you make the decision to end things?
Did you tell me you would never leave me this way?
Did you really promise that you would not end things like this?
If you really knew me
If you truly understood who I am
You couldn’t do this to me
You would not be the cause of my pain and suffering
You would be my friend
You would treat me with kindness, respect, and loyalty
If one of us is lying
If one of us is being untruthful
There’s no use in trying
It is pointless to attempt to maintain our relationship.
No need to pretend
It is unnecessary to act as if everything is fine when it is not
Is it real?
Is what we had genuine?
Did I dream it?
Perhaps, what I thought we had was not real.
Will I wake from this pain
Will I overcome the agony I feel?
Baby did I throw it away?
Is it my fault that we are no longer together?
Contributed by Sophie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
CaterinaEvClub
One of the best songs ever been well-known through Eurovision. I love it no matter how many years pass by. Warm greetings from Greece!
Γιώργος_George_Jorge
Πες τααααα! ❤
Ólöf 🇮🇸
I'm aboute to sing that song in front of everyone in my school and my mom and dad
Alexandra dra
@Ólöf 🇮🇸 Good luck! Great choice!
Haval Haider
Totally agree! How could I ever forget this wonderful song? Gosh...
Olga Reva
My favourite song too!
Valerie Selau
It's 2019 and still one of the very best and greatest songs ever in the history of Eurovision. Still definitely my all-time favorite! 😊
Bruno
Mine to! I really love this song
Delia0612
Mine too! :)
Valgeir Hallvardsson
We Icelanders are proud of her. She is a unique singer. Valli the Viking.