Her independently released second album "Monday's Ghost" (2008) stayed at the top of the swiss charts for several weeks and caught the attention of critics abroad. The Guardian described her as "Laura Marling, Beth Orton and Björk in one folk-rocking package".
The Swiss singer spent parts of her youth abroad, living in England and Germany. Her cosmopolitan biography is reflected in her multilingual songwriting. While most songs are in English or German language, each album contains one song in a Swiss German dialect. Her third studio album 1983 (2010) also includes a cover version of Noir Désir's Le Vent Nous Portera in French language.
Hunger has always worked in a collaborative spirit, and her many musical interests have led her to a fascinating geographic and personality mix. While she had recorded her solo début "Sketches On Sea" at home in just a few days, her latest album "The Danger Of Light" evolved over three sessions abroad. In Los Angeles she was joined by Josh Klinghoffer (Red Hot Chilli Peppers, PJ Harvey), Nathaniel Walcott (Bright Eyes) and Steven Nistor (Danger Mouse); in Montréal Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire), singer/songwriter Mark Bérubé, Brad Barr (The Barr Brothers) und David Payant (A Silver Mt. Zion) jammed along. That last session from Hotel2Tango-Studio in Montréal is included on the Deluxe Edition of her latest release.
Rapidly gaining a reputation as an electrifying live performer, Hunger has been sharing stages with some of Switzerlands’s most successful artists, like Erik Truffaz, The Young Gods, Kutti MC or Stephan Eicher and appearing at locations such as Olympia in Paris, Miles Davis Hall at the Montreux Jazz Festival or the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury Festival.
The musical directions of Sophie Hunger are limitless, from traditional folk songwriting bathed in jazzy moods to soul balladry. Her musical universe is very flourished, nourished by an exceptionally fragile yet mature voice as well as an ability to cross genres. For Sketches On Sea, she collaborated with a great number of musicians, from a trombone player to a flamenco guitarist. Sophie’s technical prowesses can lead her anywhere and allow her to do things that nobody else could get away with.
Sophie Hunger also contributed the soundtrack to the documentary "Zimmer 202" and the movie "Der Freund" by Micha Lewinsky.
Sites: SoundCloud, Vimeo and Facebook.
She Makes President
Sophie Hunger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never had much fun
Took the blood like down in silence
Sit their shame inside their part
She's got the toning in her hear
She needs no blessing, no respect
You come by her favorite???
Huhu...
She's a loveless lad
Huhu...
She's a loveless lad
She will not make you babies
She will make the president
Her mother's mother and her sisters
What they say was of no interest
The whole wars hurt like listeners
You better care for what you ask
She was born to be in passion
Her mother's mother of that way
Hold it back your barricade
And if you will break like sugar glass
You will break like sugar glass
She's a loveless lad
Ahaha...
She's a loveless lad
She will not be miracle man
She will not be a medicine
She cannot share her big name
She will make the president
The song "She Makes President" by Sophie Hunger deals with the idea of how the struggles of past generations can shape the lives of future generations. Through the first stanza, the singer talks about her mother's mother and her own mother not having much fun, hiding their shame within themselves silently. This is an allusion to the fact that her female ancestors may have had to deal with societal or familial pressures that led them to lead unfulfilling lives. The singer then narrates about how she ("She's got the toning in her hear") doesn't need validation or blessings from anyone to pursue what she desires. This could be a reference to how she has learned from her mother's and grandmother's experiences and wants to break free from the limitations they faced. The chorus "She's a loveless lad" refers to the fact that the singer may have to sacrifice on certain aspects of personal life (like relationships or motherhood) to achieve her goals.
In the second stanza, the singer talks about how what her mother's and grandmother's sisters said weren't interesting (a disregard for societal norms) and that they suffered in wars (a reference to how political and social structures can limit personal identity). The singer then goes on to say that she was born to be in passion, a life that her mother's mother wanted for herself but was unable to achieve. Lastly, the lyric "Hold it back your barricade, and if you will break like sugar glass, you will break like sugar glass" could be a warning to those who try to stop her from achieving her dreams. She knows that the path won't be easy but she won't let anyone break her down.
Line by Line Meaning
Her mother's mother and her mom
Sophie Hunger's grandmother and mother did not enjoy life to the fullest.
Never had much fun
Both women took life quietly and did not experience joy.
Took the blood like down in silence
They endured pain and suffering silently.
Sit their shame inside their part
They internalized their shame and kept it to themselves.
She's got the toning in her hear
Sophie Hunger is passionate about life and determined to succeed.
She needs no blessing, no respect
She does not require anyone's approval or admiration.
You come by her favorite???
People are drawn to her, but they cannot give her everything she desires.
But you can't give all what you'll get
They cannot possibly provide her with as much as she can offer them.
She's a loveless lad
Sophie Hunger is not dependent on romantic relationships.
She will not make you babies
She is not interested in having children.
She will make the president
Sophie Hunger will achieve great things in her career.
Her mother's mother and her sisters
Sophie Hunger's female ancestors and siblings.
What they say was of no interest
Their opinions did not matter to her.
The whole wars hurt like listeners
Sophie Hunger feels the pain of global conflicts powerfully.
You better care for what you ask
Be careful what you wish for.
She was born to be in passion
Sophie Hunger was born with a strong drive and love for her work.
Her mother's mother of that way
Her grandmother also had a powerful passion for life.
Hold it back your barricade
Do not let fear or doubt stop you from pursuing your dreams.
And if you will break like sugar glass
If you are fragile and breakable, you will be unable to reach your goals.
She will not be miracle man
Sophie Hunger does not believe in miracles or magical solutions.
She will not be a medicine
She cannot heal or fix everything and does not want to try.
She cannot share her big name
Sophie Hunger's success cannot be shared or given away.
Contributed by Micah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
nana galuashvili
Her mother's mother and her mom
Never had much fun
Took the blood like down in silence
Sit their shame inside their part
She's got the toning in her hear
She needs no blessing, no respect
You come by her favorite???
But you can't give all what you'll get
Huhu...
She's a loveless lad
Huhu...
She's a loveless lad
She will not make you babies
She will make the president
Her mother's mother and her sisters
What they say was of no interest
The whole wars hurt like listeners
You better care for what you ask
She was born to be in passion
Her mother's mother of that way
Hold it back your barricade
And if you will break like sugar glass
You will break like sugar glass
She's a loveless lad
Ahaha...
She's a loveless lad
She will not be miracle man
She will not be a medicine
She cannot share her big name
She will make the president
Bernon Aarey
This album is consistently excellent. First listen on Spotify from this song onwards I was captivated until the end.
Thomas Landolt
Was für ein tolles Lied. Danke Sophie!
nana galuashvili
Her mother's mother and her mom
Never had much fun
Took the blood like down in silence
Sit their shame inside their part
She's got the toning in her hear
She needs no blessing, no respect
You come by her favorite???
But you can't give all what you'll get
Huhu...
She's a loveless lad
Huhu...
She's a loveless lad
She will not make you babies
She will make the president
Her mother's mother and her sisters
What they say was of no interest
The whole wars hurt like listeners
You better care for what you ask
She was born to be in passion
Her mother's mother of that way
Hold it back your barricade
And if you will break like sugar glass
You will break like sugar glass
She's a loveless lad
Ahaha...
She's a loveless lad
She will not be miracle man
She will not be a medicine
She cannot share her big name
She will make the president
Alan Farish
Favourite bottle, loveless land, hurt like blisters, born to be impatient, cannot share her DNA :)
nlu413f
Je découvre (tardivement) cette artiste grâce à son interprétation de "le vent nous portera" dans le film "Les beaux jours"... Très belle voix et un répertoire de beaux et intéressants morceaux... Je vais suivre dorénavant !!
Joel Schweitzer
Excellent, merci pour cette musique très originale
Guillaume Wilson
I discovered you with the Erik Truffaz album and then with my favourite artist of all time (Steven Wilson) ; great sound great voice, great personality !
Michèle D
J'aime beaucoup ce qu'elle fait. J'en redemande.
Philipp Kaduk
WOW
HAMMER Song,
Klasse Sound und Super Stimme
Zsolt Magyar
Mein Lieblingslied zur Zeit danke Sophie!