He is known for his use of a cello bow on guitar and his falsetto voice.
Jónsi is currently working on a new solo album that will feature predominantly acoustic music and string arrangements from classical composer Nico Muhly. The album will be produced by Peter Katis (Interpol, The National, Tokyo Police Club).
The album titled "go" will be released the week of March 22, 2010' through XL Recordings, Ltd. "Boy Lilikoi" is the first single from the album.
Around Us
Jَnsi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You break through them all
I see you crawl, now you stand tall
Grow and grow till tall
In storm we scream against the stream, our eyes watering
Jump into lakes, the surface breaks
We swim underwater, and our mouths
We all want to grow with the seeds we will sow
We all want to go with the breeze we will blow
We all want to know when we're all meant to go
To a place you and I
I see forest, a treasure chest full of labyrinth
I see a door, holes in the floor
We'll break seeds, we'll grow
There's songs, songs you bring to us
You pin both the wings on us
I hear, I see you sing for us
You go tie a string around us
There's songs, songs you bring to us
You pin both the wings on us
I hear, I see you sing for us
You go tie a string around us
We all want to grow with the seeds we will sow
We all want to go with the breeze we will blow
We all want to know when we're all meant to go
To a place you and I
We all want to grow with the seeds we will sow
We all want to go with the breeze we will blow
We all want to know when we're all meant to go
To a place you and I
I see you grow
I see you grow
Grow taller
(And our mouths
In tune)
The lyrics of Jónsi's song "Around Us" reflect a deep yearning for growth and freedom. The opening lines serve as a metaphor for breaking down the barriers that confine us and prevent us from realizing our full potential. The singer observes walls that once stood tall crumble and collapse as they are conquered by someone with a strong will and unwavering perseverance. Through this imagery, the audience can see that anything is possible if one remains determined.
The next verse describes a storm and how the singer and others scream against the stream in defiance. They embrace chaos, jump into lakes, and break through the surface, and swim underwater, defying limitations with a sense of rebelliousness. The phrase "our mouths in tune" could represent the sense of harmony and oneness they feel with each other as they rebel against perceived limitations.
The final verses reiterate the desire for growth and freedom, enshrined in the metaphor of seeds and breezes. The singer desires to grow with the seeds they sow and to be carried away by the breeze of life. "To a place you and I" suggests that this desire for freedom and growth is universal and universalizes this journey. The song ends with the repeated phrase "I see you grow, grow taller." This phrase can be interpreted in several ways, but it is likely an exclamation of joy and encouragement to the person who has overcome obstacles and is now growing and thriving.
Line by Line Meaning
I see the walls, then see them fall
Witnessing the barriers, witnessing a breakthrough from them
You break through them all
Breaking all the obstacles that come our way
I see you crawl, now you stand tall
Observing someone who started small, now reached significant heights
Grow and grow till tall
Continuous growth until reaching a great height
In storm we scream against the stream, our eyes watering
During hardships, we defy the norm even if it causes us pain
Jump into lakes, the surface breaks
Taking risks and facing consequences, sometimes making waves
We swim underwater, and our mouths
Existing differently but still in harmony with each other
In tune
Functioning harmoniously, in sync with each other
We all want to grow with the seeds we will sow
We all aspire to develop from what we invested in
We all want to go with the breeze we will blow
We aspire to go along with the positive changes we initiate
We all want to know when we're all meant to go
We all want to understand our purpose and destiny
To a place you and I
To somewhere we both belong
I see forest, a treasure chest full of labyrinth
An enormous world exists which we can't control or predict
I see a door, holes in the floor
However, there are opportunities and challenges in this vast world
We'll break seeds, we'll grow
We will work and put in the effort to make something magnificent
There's songs, songs you bring to us
Art and music inspire and contribute to our growth
You pin both the wings on us
Art and music give us the courage and direction to fly high
I hear, I see you sing for us
Others bring creativity and leadership to inspire us
You go tie a string around us
Others make an intimate connection with us to influence our potential
I see you grow
Observing growth and progress evolving in someone
Grow taller
Continuing growth until achieving even greater heights
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JON THOR BIRGISSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind