Sofia Talvik has emerged like a lady of the forest, bringing a new interesting side to folk music. Soft, airy, and graceful, Sofia Talvik sings both songs that touch on themes of love and heartbreak, as well as a healthy dose of anecdotal stories from her own life.
At the age of eighteen she left behind the comfort of home for the bright lights and lonely nights of Stockholm. There every experience, good and bad, would soon take the form of a beautiful, funny or heartbreaking song.
She's playing a unique blend of folk-pop (someone said Neo-Folk). This American genre filtered through her Swedish heritage, becomes something totally unique, a blend that has attracted attention from a broad audience all over the world.
Her soft and airy music at her combination of modal chord changes and beautiful 60's euro-pop melodies combined with the gentle singing of a 70's folk songstress will make you think of Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Jewel and Aimee Mann.
Her soft and airy music has been recognized by music lovers and critics all over the world letting her tour the US several times and making her the first ever Swedish female singer to play at the Lollapalooza festival.
www.sofiatalvik.com
Center of the Universe
Sofia Talvik Lyrics
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those smiling faces staring back at me
There are no traces this is all that we have left
the smiling faces at the Walmart where we shop
Where did they go
to the center of the universe
where the legends promised them a home
by a higher power
to ascend to someplace better than right here
We can only hope
We can only hope
She was seven now she would be twenty-five
And I bet she wouldn't wear those earrings now
Who would notice if they took her picture down
There's still a void that no one else can fill
Where did she go
to the center of the universe
where the legends promised her a home
Was she chosen
by a higher power
to ascend to someplace better than right here
We can only hope
We can only hope
He was fifteen when he ran away from home
if you check it out that's what the records say
His mom is certain that at least he would have called
She stops to watch his picture every day
Where did he go
to the center of the universe
where the legends promised him a home
Was he chosen
by a higher power
to ascend to someplace better than right here
We can only hope
We can only hope
We watch those faces as we roll our groceries out
but we don't notice the hope that's clinging there
Those are our children they are all that we have left
The love and longing the aching and despair
Where did they go
to the center of the universe
where the legends promised them a home
Were they chosen
by a higher power
to ascend to someplace better than right here
And if we look to the center of the universe
Will we find our sons and daughters there
We can only hope
cause the alternative is way too hard to bear
Let's hope we find our sons and daughters there
The lyrics of Sofia Talvik's "Center of the Universe" delve into the deep emotions and contemplation surrounding loss and the unknown fates of loved ones. The singer reflects on the familiar faces seen at the Walmart, realizing that they may be all that is left after the departure of dear ones. The imagery of rolling out groceries alongside the smiling faces brings forth a sense of routine and normalcy disrupted by questions of where these individuals have gone.
The uncertainty and longing intensify as the singer ponders the fate of a young girl who would have grown into adulthood by now, with changes in appearance and possibly tastes. The absence of her presence is highlighted by the mention of removing her picture and the unfillable void left behind. This search for meaning in loss is echoed in the question of whether she was chosen for something greater beyond this world.
The narrative shifts to a boy who ran away from home as a teenager, leaving behind worried loved ones and a mother who holds onto hope in the form of watching his picture daily. The theme of questioning the whereabouts of those who have departed prevails, along with a sense of incompleteness and the desire for closure or understanding of their journeys.
The final verse captures a broader perspective, encompassing all the lost children and the collective hope and anguish felt by the community. The repeated questions about the center of the universe and whether the missing individuals were chosen by a higher power reflect a search for solace and a yearning for reunion. The poignant plea for finding their sons and daughters offers a glimmer of hope amidst the overwhelming grief, emphasizing the difficulty of facing the alternative of not knowing their ultimate fate. Ultimately, the song portrays a poignant exploration of loss, longing, and the enduring hope for a resolution or sense of peace in the face of uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
I watch those faces as I roll my groceries out
Observing the familiar faces at the store while I shop for groceries
Where did they go
Questioning the whereabouts of the people who have disappeared from our lives
to the center of the universe
Wondering if they have departed to a mysterious, unknown place
where the legends promised them a home
Contemplating if they have been taken to a place of comfort and belonging as told in tales
Were they chosen
Considering if they were selected for a special purpose
by a higher power
Pondering if a divine force played a role in their disappearance
to ascend to someplace better than right here
Imagining they have gone to a place superior to our current reality
We can only hope
Realizing that all we can do is wish for their safety
She was seven now she would be twenty-five
Reflecting on the passage of time and the changes that come with it
And I bet she wouldn't wear those earrings now
Speculating how her style and preferences may have evolved
Where did she go
Thinking about where she may have disappeared to
Was she chosen
Considering if she was selected for a specific purpose
He was fifteen when he ran away from home
Recalling the circumstances of his departure from his family
if you check it out that's what the records say
Pointing to official documents confirming his departure at a young age
His mom is certain that at least he would have called
Acknowledging his mother's certainty that he would have contacted her if he could
but we don't notice the hope that's clinging there
Realizing that despite our grief, there is still hope lingering around us
The love and longing the aching and despair
Describing the mix of emotions felt for the missing loved ones
And if we look to the center of the universe
Contemplating the idea of searching for them in a cosmic sense
Will we find our sons and daughters there
Wondering if we will discover our missing family members in that search
Let's hope we find our sons and daughters there
Expressing the desire to reunite with our loved ones who have vanished
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Sofia Talvik
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind