Oh Land is a Danish singer-songwriter and record producer, whose birth name… Read Full Bio ↴Oh Land is a Danish singer-songwriter and record producer, whose birth name is Nanna Øland Fabricius. Born on May 2 1985 in Copenhagen, Denmark, Nanna is a daughter of an opera singer mother and an organist father, and a former ballet student who decided to adopt a music career after an injury caused by a slipped disc and spinal fracture forced her to give up dancing. Oh Land's debut album, Fauna, was released in her native Denmark on November 10, 2008 by Danish independent label Fake Diamond Records. Following that, she sailed across the sea to the artistic haven of Brooklyn, NY where she worked with producers Dan Carey, Dave McCracken and Pharrell Williams for her self-titled follow-up, which also served as her debut disc in the United States. The album was released on March 14, 2011 in Europe and the following day in the US.

With her opera singer for a mother, theater organist father and Björk’s Homogenic on constant rotation, Oh Land was enraptured by the combination of experimental and classical arts. “My goal is to sound like I’m from 2050, but still feel really classic, like the music is an old friend,” said Oh Land. She spent her days pirouetting as a ballet dancer at the Danish Royal Ballet Academy when an injury forced her to reinvent herself and discover her true talent and passion as a musician. Oh Land was discovered by Kasper Bjørke who soon released her first album, Fauna, which garnered critical acclaim in her homeland of Denmark. Her soundscapes are lavish, crunchy, symphonic, brute and captivated with rhythms that fly apart. She translates the sounds live via her contraption - a homemade one-woman-band music box topped with balloon video projections (seeing is believing). Her music is for movement and new songs such as the thumping Sun of a Gun and euphoric White Nights have proven to make even the most portentous get up and dance. Having been discovered by Epic Records at 2009’s SXSW, she is currently putting the finishing touches on her US debut album and an EP to be released this fall.

www.ohlandmusic.com

Daylight
Oh Land Lyrics

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In my knees, in my knees, like jelly, they say that's how you know your hit
In my voice, in my voice, it's trembling so they say but is this it
I was born a nervous wreck
With my heart in my stomach and a devil on my back
And I was born with runner's legs
Chills running down my spine all the time

So how can I tell, how can I tell

Close your eyes and if it is real, if it is real
It's gonna feel like daylight
It's gonna feel like daylight
And how will I know, how will I know
When in doubt, they say it's a no, say it's a no
It's gonna feel like daylight
It's gonna feel like daylight

Is it so, is it so
It's stronger if you cry into the phone
Am I vain, am I vain
To think that you could never let me go
I grew up with curtain falls
And applauding when the lovers rose from deaths to bow
Oh
And we would leave with tears and smiles
Thinking this is how we want to feel all the time

So how can I tell, how can I tell
Close your eyes and if it is real, if it is real
It's gonna feel like daylight
It's gonna feel like daylight
And how will I know, how will I know
When in doubt, they say it's a no, say it's a no
It's gonna feel like daylight
It's gonna feel like daylight

A wide open door
And no one seems to know
Should I go in?
No poetry helps the cause
And all the advice people tend to throw
It doesn't help no 'cause I'm on my own

So how can I tell, how can I tell
Close your eyes and if it is real, if it is real
It's gonna feel like daylight
It's gonna feel like daylight
And how will I know, how will I know
When in doubt, they say it's a no, say it's a no
It's gonna feel like daylight
It's gonna feel like daylight

Tonight I think I saw the daylight
Daylight, daylight, daylight?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Oh Land's song Daylight are a contemplative exploration of self-doubt and uncertainty in the pursuit of love. The song begins with the singer's physical reactions to the nervousness and anxiety inherent in the situation, with references to trembling voices and jellied knees. She then reflects on her past experiences, characterized by dramatic curtain calls and the sense that true love is an elusive, mystical feeling that should be constantly present. The chorus centers around the question of how to recognize a genuine connection, with the singer essentially asking if love feels like daylight when it is real.

The second verse features more musings on the nature of love and relationships, with nods to the idea that displays of emotion and vulnerability can create a stronger bond. There is also a hint of insecurity as the singer wonders whether their partner will ever truly commit to the relationship. The bridge of the song continues the theme of uncertainty, with the singer questioning whether to take the risk of opening herself up to love even when the outcome is unclear. The final chorus sees her proclaiming that she has seen the metaphorical "daylight" of love and acknowledging that it is a feeling that cannot be easily defined or described.

Overall, Daylight is a introspective and poetic exploration of the complicated emotions and questions that arise when we navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of romantic relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

In my knees, in my knees, like jelly, they say that's how you know your hit
My knees are buckling, indicating nervousness, which is often a sign of being hit by love

In my voice, in my voice, it's trembling so they say but is this it
My voice is shaking, which is supposed to be a sign of love, but I'm unsure

I was born a nervous wreck
I've always had a propensity for anxiety and worry

With my heart in my stomach and a devil on my back
I'm constantly anxious with a persistent sense of foreboding

And I was born with runner's legs
I always have the urge to run away from my problems

Chills running down my spine all the time
I constantly have a sense of impending danger or excitement

So how can I tell, how can I tell
I'm wondering how to distinguish true love from other feelings

Close your eyes and if it is real, if it is real
If it's true love, it will feel like a moment of clarity or enlightenment

It's gonna feel like daylight
True love will bring a sense of light and hope

And how will I know, how will I know
I'm wondering how to determine if it's true love or not

When in doubt, they say it's a no, say it's a no
If you're unsure, it's best to err on the side of caution and say no to love

Is it so, is it so
I'm questioning whether I'm truly in love or not

It's stronger if you cry into the phone
Showing vulnerability and crying over the phone can indicate a deep connection

Am I vain, am I vain
I'm questioning if I'm being selfish or self-centered

To think that you could never let me go
I have a fear of being abandoned or rejected by my partner

I grew up with curtain falls
My childhood was filled with the drama and emotions of seeing love stories on stage

And applauding when the lovers rose from deaths to bow oh
I found joy in the dramatic reunions of star-crossed lovers

And we would leave with tears and smiles
Watching love stories gave us both joy and sadness

Thinking this is how we want to feel all the time
We wished for love to be a constant state of ecstasy and happiness

A wide open door
A new opportunity or relationship is presenting itself to me

And no one seems to know
I'm alone in my decision-making and have no guidance

Should I go in?
I'm questioning if I should pursue this new opportunity or relationship

No poetry helps the cause
I can't find any guidance or advice in poetry or art

And all the advice people tend to throw
People are giving me advice, but it's not helpful

It doesn't help no 'cause I'm on my own
Ultimately, I have to make my own decision and face the consequences

Tonight I think I saw the daylight
I may have finally found true love

Daylight, daylight, daylight?
I'm expressing my newfound hope and joy

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NANNA FABRICIUS, TORE NISSEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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