Her third studio album, ‘Gardening’ (2023), is a stripped-down set of songs, delving into difficult themes like bleakness, doubt and fear, sung in a voice that is hauntingly ethereal. A sense of calmness that runs through it. ‘Romain’s Place’, for example, is a ballad about what seems to be domestic abuse: “Through it all there was a lot that kept me from leaving/ like your fists around my wrists…”. But there are also upbeat moments, like ‘Sun, Moon, Stars’, that sees Jakobsen joined by Ane Brun on vocals and a beautiful string outro: “You are the reason that I am alive”, suggesting there’s a light in the end of every tunnel. In fact, Jakobsen has said the same in ‘Dark’, from her debut EP, ‘The Lingering’.
Siv Jakobsen is based in Oslo, and trained in Boston’s Berklee College, where she found her folk pop identity. Soon, her life experiences became the themes of her work. Siv knows well that the best way to face a problem is to stare it in the eyes and acknowledge it. That’s where the healing begins. And that’s what she’s been doing, slowly-yet-steadily, from her first release in 2015 to 2020’s ‘A Temporary Soothing’, and now with ‘Gardening’, while also touring extensively. Siv’s lyrics, vocals, pauses, breaths, fingerpicked acoustic guitar sound, and arrangements all come together to calm her bruises. With each of her albums, she opens up to us even more, evoking emotion with precision to amazing effect.
Dark
Siv Jakobsen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
said there's a light there, waiting for me
but I dont believe it, not now, not ever
so it's dark when I go home
ohhhh
ohhhh
I am the dark one in my bloodline
I fear my shadow like a beast
I fear one day it'll swallow me whole
ohhhh
ohhhh
ohhhh
ohhhh
and at times I breath where the heart is so it swallows me so that I can't breath
But the better days are oughta come my way
cause I dont believe in them
no I dont believe them.
(End)
In Siv Jakobsen's eponymously titled song, the singer-songwriter explores the notions of darkness, fear and doubt that seem to plague her. With evocative lyrics delivered in her signature haunting voice, Jakobsen shares her skepticism towards the idea that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Despite hearing from someone that there is a light waiting for her, she refuses to believe it now or ever. To her, it's always dark when she goes home. The repetition of the "oh" sounds in the chorus adds to the melancholic and introspective tone of the song, emphasizing Jakobsen's fears and doubts.
Further, Jakobsen delves into the idea that she is the dark one in her bloodline. She fears her shadow like a beast, and it's a feeling that won't leave her. It's a lingering mellow that she fears one day will swallow her whole. The line "I fear one day it'll swallow me whole" suggests that her fears and doubts could consume her eventually. The song concludes with Jakobsen expressing her disbelief in the notion of better days coming her way, suggesting that she is resigned to accepting her fears and doubts as a constant part of her life.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone told me there's light at the end of every tunnel
I was told that every bad situation eventually ends and good things are waiting for me.
said there's a light there, waiting for me
I was told that this light is specifically for me, that there is hope ahead.
but I dont believe it, not now, not ever
I can't bring myself to believe in that hope, not at this moment or at any moment.
so it's dark when I go home
The darkness surrounds me and goes with me wherever I go.
I am the dark one in my bloodline
I am the one who carries a heavy burden of darkness in my family's history.
I fear my shadow like a beast
I am so consumed by my own darkness that even my own shadow scares me.
it's a lingering mellow that won't leave me
This feeling of sadness and darkness has taken hold of me and refuses to let go.
I fear one day it'll swallow me whole
I am afraid that one day, this darkness will consume me completely.
and at times I breath where the heart is so it swallows me so that I can't breath
Sometimes, I try to find solace in my heart, but the darkness is so overwhelming that it takes my breath away.
But the better days are oughta come my way
Despite my doubts, I hope that better days are coming for me.
cause I dont believe in them
I don't believe this hope, but I still cling to it because it's all I have.
Contributed by Grace R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Juliana Rose
💞 Lyrics 💞
Someone told me there is light at the end of every tunnel
Said there’s a light there waiting for me
But I don’t believe it, not now, not ever
It’s always dark when I go home
I am the dark one in my bloodline
I fear my shadow like a beast
It’s a lingering mellow that won’t leave me
I fear one day it’ll swallow me whole
And at times I pray for the darkest days
Oh to swallow me so that I can’t pray
For the better days oh to come my way
Cause I don’t believe in them
No I don’t believe in them
Juliana Rose
💞 Lyrics 💞
Someone told me there is light at the end of every tunnel
Said there’s a light there waiting for me
But I don’t believe it, not now, not ever
It’s always dark when I go home
I am the dark one in my bloodline
I fear my shadow like a beast
It’s a lingering mellow that won’t leave me
I fear one day it’ll swallow me whole
And at times I pray for the darkest days
Oh to swallow me so that I can’t pray
For the better days oh to come my way
Cause I don’t believe in them
No I don’t believe in them
Aleleeinn Aleleeinn
A beautiful song. I keep finding wonderful music years after it's made. Just like the light of the star years old and still beautiful.
wo ho
Why is she not famous yet?
This Is amazing ❣️
Kelvin Codjoe
love her lyrics , love her voice 💚💛💜💙💖💗
these are the music we don't used to hear anymore , true music true emotion ...
Mel
Hi, Siv! You and your music is so beautiful, you always have and always will be my favorite.
K. L.
Beautiful. The crunching of snow to set the time signature in the beginning and the singing between verses feels inspired by Bjork. But something entirely one of a kind.
BlueskiesButterflies
One of my favorites!!! Lovely voice....nice tune to relax or sleep to.
Miguel Escalante
Casi 2 años y me sigue gustando tanto o mas que la primera vez que la escuché.
Jesus Brito
Casi dos años y me sigue gustando tanto o más que la primera vez que la escuché
Amanda Bowens
Awesome voice!!