Jenny Hval studied Creative Writing at the University of Melbourne, and Literature at the University of Oslo. She has released the albums To Sing You Apple Trees (Trust Me Records, 2006) and Medea (Trust Me Records 2008) under the alias Rockettothesky. Her third album Viscera (Rune Grammofon 2011) was released under her own name. 2012 saw the release of the debut album of Hval’s band project, Nude On Sand, in which she collaborates with Håvard Volden. Jenny Hval made her debut as a writer with the book Perlebryggeriet (‘The Pearl Brewery’) with Kolon Forlag in 2009. Alongside this she has contributed to magazines and newspapers like Vinduet, ENO, Bergens Tidende and Klassekampen. In 2010 Hval contributed to the artwork War Song by the American artists Valerie Tevere and Angel Nevarez that was performed during the Ultima Festival in Oslo that year. In 2011 she created the sound installation ENTER/ Flesh for the bigger installation ENTER Sonic Tank at Tou Scene in Stavanger. In collaboration with the writer Inger Bråtveit she also created the work Kvit Søppel (‘White Trash’) in 2011.
She is currently working on her second book and her fourth studio album.
That Battle Is Over
Jenny Hval Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Statistics and newspapers tell me I am unhappy and dying, that I need man and child to fulfill me, that I'm more likely to get breast cancer. And it's biology, it's my own fault, it's divine punishment of the unruly. It's fearfull out here on the calmest seas, we who grew up singing Merry Christmas! War is over. Our mothers softly humming: We're at the end of history
But I keep growing older, eight years since 25 now, and all that ages now is the body, I wonder why, I think to myself one of these days everything I write begins with the question, WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?
You say I'm free now, that battle is over, and feminism is over & socialism's over. Yeah, I say I can consume what I want now
Sleep tight forever
The lyrics of "That Battle Is Over" by Jenny Hval allude to the societal expectations and pressures on individuals to conform to gender norms and traditional family structures. The opening lines inquire about the meaning of self-care and what we are truly taking care of, questioning whether the act of loving and nurturing oneself is enough. This is followed by the image of a million bedrooms of individuals, alone and silent, and ships sailing alone on calm seas. The imagery evokes a sense of solitude and isolation, possibly indicating how individuals are left to face their own internal battles alone.
The following lines refer to the messages propagated by statistics and news articles about how women need men and children to feel fulfilled in life. It reveals the way society instills the notion that women who prioritize their own happiness and well-being over family and marriage are somehow deficient or guilty. The line, "It's divine punishment of the unruly" points out the way patriarchal systems have constructed women as unruly if they do not fit into conventional social roles.
The song also touches upon the passing of time and growing old, with the notion that the body ages while one's thoughts and desires remain in a constant state of questioning. The final lines, "Sleep tight forever", suggest a longing for a sense of closure or stillness.
Line by Line Meaning
What is it to take care of yourself? What are we taking care of?
What does it mean to practice self-care? What is the object of our care?
A million bedrooms with hands softly lulling our divine cocks and cunts, without telling anyone, a million ships come alone out on the calmest seas. So are we loving ourselves now? Are we mothering ourselves?
We exist in a world of private pleasure and isolation. Does this mean we are taking care of ourselves and nurturing our needs?
Statistics and newspapers tell me I am unhappy and dying, that I need man and child to fulfill me, that I'm more likely to get breast cancer. And it's biology, it's my own fault, it's divine punishment of the unruly. It's fearfull out here on the calmest seas, we who grew up singing Merry Christmas! War is over. Our mothers softly humming: We're at the end of history
Society tells me that I am incomplete without a husband and children, that my body is naturally inclined towards disease and punishment for not fitting expectations. Despite this, we proclaim peace and the end of history.
But I keep growing older, eight years since 25 now, and all that ages now is the body, I wonder why, I think to myself one of these days everything I write begins with the question, WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?
As I age, my body changes and declines. I struggle to comprehend why this happens and it becomes a recurring question in my writing.
You say I'm free now, that battle is over, and feminism is over & socialism's over. Yeah, I say I can consume what I want now
I am told that I no longer have anything to fight for because feminism and socialism have achieved their goals. However, my freedom is limited to the ability to consume, rather than true liberation.
This is what happens on the edge of history: the Great Eye turns to us. We are the only thing that's aging, but we don't know it yet, we cling onto Heaven, Heaven, Heaven
At the brink of major historical change, attention is drawn to us. We are the only ones who are aging, yet we remain unaware and hold onto our idea of paradise.
Sleep tight forever
The song ends on a somber note, suggesting that the desire for eternal rest may be preferable to the struggles of navigating a confusing world.
Contributed by Gabriella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gustav Ödman
Awesome lyrics :
What is it to take care of yourself?
What, what are we taking care of?
A million bedrooms
With hands softly lulling
Our divine cocks and cunts
Without telling anyone
A million ships come alone
Out on the calmest seas
So are we loving ourselves now?
Are we mothering ourselves?....
Statistics and newspapers tell me I am unhappy and dying
That I need man and child; to fulfill me
That I'm more likely to get breast cancer
And it's biology, it's, it's my own fault
It's, divine punishment of the unruly
It's fearful out here on the calmest seas
we who grew up singing
Merry Christmas! War is over
Our mothers softly humming
We're at the edge of history...
But, but I keep growing older eight years, since 25 now
And all that ages now is the body, just the body
And I wonder why, I think to myself
One of these days everything I write
Begins with the question; whats wrong with me?
What's, what's wrong with me?
You, you say I'm free now, that battle is over
And feminism is over
And socialism's over, yeah
I say I can consume what I want now
Consume what I want now
This is what happens on the edge of history
The great eye turns to us
We are the only thing that's aging
But we don't know it yet, we cling onto
Heaven, heaven, heaven......................
Audrey H
One of the most perfect songs I have heard in so long. Beautiful video too.
ynn stro
Her voice - gold
Gustav Ödman
Awesome lyrics :
What is it to take care of yourself?
What, what are we taking care of?
A million bedrooms
With hands softly lulling
Our divine cocks and cunts
Without telling anyone
A million ships come alone
Out on the calmest seas
So are we loving ourselves now?
Are we mothering ourselves?....
Statistics and newspapers tell me I am unhappy and dying
That I need man and child; to fulfill me
That I'm more likely to get breast cancer
And it's biology, it's, it's my own fault
It's, divine punishment of the unruly
It's fearful out here on the calmest seas
we who grew up singing
Merry Christmas! War is over
Our mothers softly humming
We're at the edge of history...
But, but I keep growing older eight years, since 25 now
And all that ages now is the body, just the body
And I wonder why, I think to myself
One of these days everything I write
Begins with the question; whats wrong with me?
What's, what's wrong with me?
You, you say I'm free now, that battle is over
And feminism is over
And socialism's over, yeah
I say I can consume what I want now
Consume what I want now
This is what happens on the edge of history
The great eye turns to us
We are the only thing that's aging
But we don't know it yet, we cling onto
Heaven, heaven, heaven......................
howtomakeamonster
♥
Joel Hohmann
One of the best music videos I've seen in a long time.
awcoman
well, Jenny Hval just changed my day
Charles Ducret
Très belle mélodie! La mise en scène de votre clip est également très soigné ! Belle performance!
Bailey Steele
I've always loved this vid, & I just watched Hitchcock's "The Birds". I don't know if a correlation was intentional or unintentional but ... the mid century set, the green suit, the flashlight lighting, women representing three generations stuck in a house ........ my brain was connecting dots • • • • • •
Conor McClean
Fantastic observation!
William B
absolutely loved this! merry christmas, the war is over.