She appeared in more than 20 films and television series, including The Emigrants (1971) with Liv Ullman and Max von Sydow.
She was above all an outstanding singer, particularly noted for her jazz songs. In 1964 she recorded the jazz album Waltz for Debby with Bill Evans. She was regarded as a role model by many younger Swedish singers. Her long career also included En gång i Stockholm (Once Upon a Time in Stockholm) with which she represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1963. She finished last and scored the infamous null points, but still managed to remain successful in Sweden.
She was known to suffer from scoliosis, and as a result was forced to retire from performing in 1999.
On May 12, 2005, she died in an accidental fire in her apartment in Stockholm.
Adagio
Monica Zetterlund Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vandra så sakteliga
Böj blicken och du ser
Ser ängens vila så kort
Kort innan den nås av vind
Vinden når
Når fågelns vilsna vinge långsamt
Och i skogens famn blir fågeln fri
Och all flykt vaggas bort
Lev blommors barn och buga
Buga så sakteliga
Sänk bladet och du ser
Ser bäcken flyta mjukt
Mjukt innan den nås av vind
Vinden sår
Sår vattnets vilsna våg som långsamt
Leds in bland träd, göms bort av skog
Då blir vågen fri och i skogens famn
En bäck vaggas in
Hör vindens stämma tystna
Tystna och tas till vila
Bäck smekes av ängens vind
Vind veknar och blir till bris
Bris möter grenars väg
Vägen tar
Tar ängens vilsna bris som långsamt
Leds in bland träd, skyms bort av skog
Då blir brisen len och i skogens famn
Även vind finner ro
In Monica Zetterlund's song "Adagio," the lyrics evoke imagery of nature and the tranquility it provides. The verses describe the gentle movement of dreams and the peacefulness of various elements in nature, such as the meadow, trees, birds, flowers, and brook. The lyrics suggest that by observing and immersing oneself in the stillness and beauty of nature, one can find freedom, solace, and a sense of belonging.
The song emphasizes the slow pace at which these natural elements operate, symbolizing the importance of patience and taking the time to appreciate life's simpler pleasures. The lyrics also convey a sense of harmony between the different components of nature, as the wind, trees, and water come together to create a serene environment.
Overall, "Adagio" encourages listeners to pause, connect with their surroundings, and find peace within themselves by embracing the tranquility offered by nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Låt ögon drömmar vandra
Allow your eyes to wander in dreams
Vandra så sakteliga
Wander so slowly
Böj blicken och du ser
Bend your gaze and you will see
Ser ängens vila så kort
See the meadow's short rest
Kort innan den nås av vind
Briefly before it is reached by the wind
Vinden når
The wind arrives
När fågelns vilsna vinge långsamt
When the bird's confused wing slowly
Den göms av träd, djupt in i skog
It is hidden by trees, deep into the forest
Och i skogens famn blir fågeln fri
And in the forest's embrace, the bird becomes free
Och all flykt vaggas bort
And all escape is rocked away
Lev blommors barn och buga
Live as flowers' children and bow
Buga så sakteliga
Bow so slowly
Sänk bladet och du ser
Lower the leaf and you will see
Ser bäcken flyta mjukt
See the brook flow softly
Mjukt innan den nås av vind
Softly before it is reached by the wind
Vinden sår
The wind sows
Sår vattnets vilsna våg som långsamt
Sows the water's confused wave slowly
Leds in bland träd, göms bort av skog
Guides it among trees, hides it away in the forest
Då blir vågen fri och i skogens famn
Then the wave becomes free and in the forest's embrace
En bäck vaggas in
A brook is rocked in
Hör vindens stämma tystna
Hear the voice of the wind quiet down
Tystna och tas till vila
Silent and taken to rest
Bäck smekes av ängens vind
Brook is caressed by the meadow's wind
Vind veknar och blir till bris
Wind weakens and becomes a breeze
Bris möter grenars väg
Breeze meets the path of branches
Vägen tar
The path takes
Tar ängens vilsna bris som långsamt
Takes the meadow's confused breeze slowly
Leds in bland träd, skyms bort av skog
Guides it among trees, disappears in the forest
Då blir brisen len och i skogens famn
Then the breeze becomes gentle and in the forest's embrace
Även vind finner ro
Even the wind finds peace
Writer(s): Tomaso Albinoni, Carlin
Contributed by Carson P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.