While other folk metal bands began with metal before adding folk music, Korpiklaani started with folk music before turning metal. The roots of Korpiklaani can be traced back to a Sami folk music group under the name of 'Shamaani Duo', an "in-house restaurant band" created by Jonne Järvelä in 1993. An album of folk music (Hunka Lunka) was released under this name before Järvelä relocated and "Shamaani Duo" morphed into "Shaman". Shaman was the second incarnation of Korpiklaani, formed in 1996 which is notable for the heavy use of original native Sámic music elements and lyrics in Northern Sámi. The band's music was based on the folk music of Shamaani Duo. The most widely used elements are the shamanic drum, yoik and humppa. Besides yoik, the vocals vary from clean to rather aggressive growling.
The musical style of Shaman is quite distinctive, especially in the slow songs, due to its entrancing atmosphere created by the monophonic, "narrow" synth sound making the deep contrast to the spacious sound of the acoustic guitar, the shamanic drum and yoik singing. The first recording released under the name of Shaman was the demo single Ođđa máilbmi (New World in Northern Sámi). The video clip shot for the song featured a wolf breaking free from its cage and running into the forest. Besides the single CD the song was included on the band's first full-length album Idja (Night in Northern Sámi, 1999) as well. The band released another album, Shamániac, in 2002. The band underwent another evolution in 2003, and "Shaman" became "Korpiklaani" (with only Järvelä and drummer Samu Ruotsalainen remaining from the last "Shaman" lineup), with the music style to a more conventional folk metal with folk/thrash vocals instead of yoiking. Shamániac had already featured a strong resemblance to the future Korpiklaani style. In fact, the song, "Vuola lávlla", has the same music as the Korpiklaani song, "Beer Beer".
The change in name was accompanied by a change in the music. The traditional yoik vocals and the use of the Northern Sámi language were dropped while the synthesizer was replaced with real folk instruments. Jonne Järvelä credits his work with Finntroll as the catalyst for the shift in emphasis from folk to metal. Their song lyrics are often related to alcohol and partying. According to Jonne Järvelä, Korpiklaani's music would be seen as "old people's music with heavy metal guitars" in Finland.
There has been some collaboration between Korpiklaani and Finntroll, as Samu Ruotsalainen of Finntroll provided session drums for their debut album Spirit of the Forest and Järvelä provided the yoiking for the title track of Finntroll's album Jaktens Tid. Juha Jyrkäs has written some Finnish lyrics to Korpiklaani and from 2011 lyrics are written by poet Tuomas Keskimäki, who writes lyrics in the old Finnish "kalevalametre".
In September 2011 Korpiklaani announced that Jaakko "Hittavainen" Lemmetty would be leaving the band due to personal health issues which made the constant touring and recording impossible. First his replacement was violist Teemu Eerola and later, nowadays permanent member, Tuomas Rounakari. In 2013 accordion player Juho Kauppinen left Korpiklaani and the new accordion player is Sami Perttula.
Under the Sun
Korpiklaani Lyrics
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aou are the flame, you are the sun
you'll burn your way to a secret playce
to a place where you can breath
When all around is drowning
you are the one who can fish me up,
the drowning man, out of the lake,
You are the one
(I just want to fly...)
You are the one
(I just want to rise...)
You are the one
(I just want to see...)
You are the one
(Under the sun...)
You are the one
When my whole world is turning
you are the one who holds the strings
your strength gets me back on my feet
when my powers are failing
The lyrics to Korpiklaani's "Under the Sun" speak of someone who is reliable and supportive in times of trouble. The lines "When all around is burning, you are the flame, you are the sun, you'll burn your way to a secret place, to a place where you can breathe" convey that this person is a source of light and warmth in the midst of chaos. They have the power to guide the singer to a safe haven where they can find peace.
The second verse paints a picture of someone who is capable of rescuing the singer from drowning. They are the only one the singer trusts to pull them out of the water and save them. The chorus repeats the lines "You are the one" several times, emphasizing that this person is the central figure in the singer's life.
The final verse suggests that the singer has faced personal struggles, and this person has been instrumental in helping them overcome their difficulties. The line "your strength gets me back on my feet when my powers are failing" speaks to their ability to lift the singer up when they are feeling weak.
Overall, "Under the Sun" is a tribute to the power of human connection and the way that supportive relationships can help us navigate difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
When all around is burning
Despite chaos and destruction, you stand out and shine with positivity.
aou are the flame, you are the sun
You are the source of light and warmth that inspires others in darkness.
you'll burn your way to a secret playce
You have the courage to pursue your dreams and find your own path in life, no matter how challenging.
to a place where you can breath
You know when to take a rest and how to recharge yourself to keep going.
When all around is drowning
When despair and hopelessness overwhelm everyone, you stand tall and lend a helping hand.
you are the one who can fish me up,
You have the ability to rescue those in distress and offer them a lifeline of hope.
the drowning man, out of the lake,
You are willing to put yourself at risk to save someone from sinking into despair.
the only one i let to do it
You have earned my trust and respect by being there for me when I needed you the most.
You are the one
You are the shining beacon of hope and inspiration that I look up to.
(I just want to fly...)
I aspire to reach great heights and fly with you, following your lead and learning from your example.
(I just want to rise...)
I long to rise above my limitations and achieve my dreams, with your guidance and support.
(I just want to see...)
I yearn to see the world through your eyes, with all its wondrous beauty and hidden treasures.
(Under the sun...)
Together, we can explore the world and find our place in it, basking in the warmth and light of the sun.
You are the one
You are the true hero and champion of life, inspiring me and many others to be their best selves.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVE HOGARTH, MARK COLBERT KELLY, IAN FRANCESKO MOSLEY, STEVEN THOMAS ROTHERY, PETER JOHN TREWAVAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind