Sophie Hunger is a pseudonym of Emilie Welti (b. 31 Mar 1983, in Bern), a m… Read Full Bio ↴Sophie Hunger is a pseudonym of Emilie Welti (b. 31 Mar 1983, in Bern), a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter, based in Zürich, Switzerland. She made her recording débuted, as Emilie Welti and a member of Fisher, on their eponymous "Fisher" (2005). Her first solo album was "Sketches on Sea" (Sept 2007, Two Gentlemen) and her latest is "The Danger Of Light" (Sept 2012, Two Gentlemen).

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.

Walzer Für Niemand
Sophie Hunger Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Niemand kommt rein und setzt sich hin
Den Fuß auf den Tisch, die Hand unters Kinn
Niemand ist hungrig, mein Frühstücksmenü
Niemand kommt immer zu früh

Niemand, ich habe Geschenke für dich
Was wäre ich geworden gäb es dich nicht
Meine gesammelten Werke, bitte sehr

Alles gehört nur dir

Niemand, keiner kennt mich wie du
Unbedingt, ich geb' alles zu
Keine Enttäuschung, kein einziges Mal
Aber dir ist eh alles egal

Niemand, siehst du's? Ich wachse nicht mehr
Meine Hände sind Füße, niemand schau her
Bald bin ich nichts und das was dann bleibt
Ist deine Wenigkeit

Niemand, was, was willst du?
Immer bist du hier

Niemand, was, was willst du
Von mir?

Overall Meaning

The song "Walzer Für Niemand" by Sophie Hunger is a melancholic and introspective piece that explores the theme of loneliness and the quest for a meaningful connection in life. The song is sung with the voice of the singer addressing "Niemand", a symbolic figure that represents an absent or non-existent person. The use of this figure highlights the solitude of the singer, who is lamenting the fact that nobody is there to share her life with.

The opening lines of the song describe a scene where nobody is around to share a meal with the singer. The description of the empty space and the lack of company reinforces the sense of isolation and emptiness. The following lines suggest that the singer has something to offer to "Niemand", perhaps a gift or a gesture of affection, but also acknowledges that the existence of "Niemand" is what gives her life meaning.

The chorus emphasizes the importance of "Niemand" in the singer's life, describing the relationship as one of deep understanding and unconditional acceptance. The last verse, however, hints at a sense of resignation and desperation, as the singer realizes that she is growing apart from the world and becoming more and more attached to the imaginary figure of "Niemand".

Overall, "Walzer Für Niemand" is a poignant reflection on the human need for connection and the struggle to find meaning in a world that can be lonely and indifferent.

Line by Line Meaning

Niemand kommt rein und setzt sich hin
Nobody enters and sits down

Den Fuß auf den Tisch, die Hand unters Kinn
Putting a foot on the table and resting a hand on the chin

Niemand ist hungrig, mein Frühstücksmenü
Nobody is hungry for my breakfast menu

Niemand kommt immer zu früh
Nobody always comes too early

Niemand, ich habe Geschenke für dich
Nobody, I have gifts for you

Was wäre ich geworden gäb es dich nicht
What would I have become if you didn't exist

Meine gesammelten Werke, bitte sehr
My collected works, please take them

Alles gehört nur dir
Everything belongs only to you

Niemand, keiner kennt mich wie du
Nobody, nobody knows me like you do

Unbedingt, ich geb' alles zu
Absolutely, I confess everything

Keine Enttäuschung, kein einziges Mal
No disappointment, not even once