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
Pharaohs and Friends
Sofia Talvik Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'll put on my lashes and a halo for the night
I will tell you stories about the seven seas
Of monsters and of dragons, heroic princesses
In the enchanted forest I will let your mind go wild
You thought God would be a soldier
But she's just a little child
But the pieces are a mess
I keep pushing the agenda
Like it were a game of chess
I will tell you stories of pharaohs and friends
Of the ones who live in shadows
You know how this story ends
In little town and big town
You let your mind go wild
Expecting God to be a soldier
When she's just a little child
And though my heart is rushing
It's skipping every beat
Have you ever felt the gravity
It's your own damn heavy feet
And I can tell you stories
Of pirates and a pea
But you'll just keep deciding
What you see and do not see
In the tower on the mountain
She let her mind go wild
Expecting God to be a soldier
When she's just a little child
In this world of lies and half truths
I closed my eyes and smiled
if you thought god would be a soldier
you are just a little child
The lyrics to Sofia Talvik's song "Pharaohs and Friends" speak to the contrast between expectations and reality, as well as the power of imagination and perception. The opening lines suggest that the singer is experiencing physical pain and loss of sight, but despite this, they put on a façade of beauty with lashes and a halo. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for putting on a brave face amidst internal struggles.
The song then delves into the act of storytelling, with the singer offering tales of adventure and fantasy. They mention the seven seas, monsters, dragons, heroic princesses, and an enchanted forest, all elements that allow the listener's mind to wander and imagine freely. However, the line "You thought God would be a soldier, but she's just a little child" challenges the traditional notions of God and power. It suggests that our preconceived notions of authority and strength may be misguided, and that instead, they may be found in innocence and vulnerability.
The second verse introduces the idea of pushing an agenda, likening it to playing a game of chess. It implies that the singer is trying to make sense of the world, organizing the pieces of a puzzle that may be in disarray. They continue to tell stories, this time mentioning pharaohs and friends, and those who live in the shadows. The lyrics imply that these stories have a predictable ending, suggesting that life follows certain patterns and outcomes.
The final verse touches on the heaviness of one's own existence, describing the feeling of gravity and being grounded with "your own damn heavy feet." The singer admits that they can tell tales of pirates and peas, but it is up to the listeners to interpret and decide what they see and believe. The mention of the tower on the mountain hints at a sense of isolation or detachment from others, where one's mind can truly wander and imagine freely. The song concludes with the affirmation that if one expected God to be a soldier, they are just a little child, implying that our understanding of spirituality and power may need to be reexamined.
Overall, "Pharaohs and Friends" explores themes of illusion, perception, and the limitations of our expectations. It encourages us to embrace our imagination and challenge preconceived notions of power and authority. Through storytelling, the song prompts us to question the stories we tell ourselves and the narratives we buy into.
Line by Line Meaning
My lung is hurting and I'm losing half my sight
I'm feeling physically and mentally weak and impaired
But I'll put on my lashes and a halo for the night
I'll pretend to be strong and pure for appearances
I will tell you stories about the seven seas
I'll create imaginative tales of adventure and wonder
Of monsters and of dragons, heroic princesses
Featuring mythical creatures and brave female protagonists
In the enchanted forest I will let your mind go wild
I'll transport you to a magical realm where imagination is boundless
You thought God would be a soldier
You expected strength and aggression from a higher power
But she's just a little child
In reality, God is innocent and inexperienced
I'm working on a puzzle
I'm trying to solve a complex problem
But the pieces are a mess
The elements of the puzzle are disorganized and chaotic
I keep pushing the agenda
I persistently promote my own ideas and goals
Like it were a game of chess
As if I'm strategizing and making calculated moves
I will tell you stories of pharaohs and friends
I'll narrate tales involving ancient rulers and companions
Of the ones who live in shadows
About individuals who exist in secrecy and obscurity
You know how this story ends
You already anticipate the outcome of this narrative
In little town and big town
Regardless of size or location
You let your mind go wild
You allow your imagination to roam freely
Expecting God to be a soldier
Anticipating God to possess a warrior-like nature
When she's just a little child
Yet, God is actually innocent and inexperienced
And though my heart is rushing
Despite feeling anxious and excited
It's skipping every beat
My heartbeat is irregular and erratic
Have you ever felt the gravity
Have you experienced the weight and pull of a situation
It's your own damn heavy feet
It's your own burden and sluggishness to blame
And I can tell you stories
I have countless narratives to share
Of pirates and a pea
Involving pirates and a minute object
But you'll just keep deciding
But you'll continue to make choices
What you see and do not see
Determining what you perceive and ignore
In the tower on the mountain
Within a secluded and elevated structure
She let her mind go wild
She allowed her imagination to roam freely
Expecting God to be a soldier
Anticipating God to possess a warrior-like nature
When she's just a little child
Yet, God is actually innocent and inexperienced
In this world of lies and half truths
Within a deceptive and partially accurate reality
I closed my eyes and smiled
I shut out the falsehoods and found contentment
If you thought god would be a soldier
If you believed in a forceful and aggressive deity
You are just a little child
Then you are naive and lacking in understanding
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Sofia Talvik
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Trollmusic
Lovely tune with a great message, thank you, Sofia!
Leonard Kerr
Lovely! Why has nobody heard of this stunning singer?
Sofia Talvik
Thanks for checking in!
Fat Knuckle Freddy
Great work! Lovely.
Sarah McQuaid
Lovely song, lovely video - and lovely William Morris-evoking dress! Beautiful.
John Robinson
Why is Sofia not embraced by Nashville and made a global star that she is!!!!!!!!!!
Lilac Nspring
Beautiful, though provoking 🥰🕊