Upon recording a few songs at a local studio, she decided to send the demos to three record companies, with no special expectations. Soon Sony Sweden gave her a phone call and offered her a record deal. At this stage, she had never played in front of an audience. Sophie started to record her self-titled debut album in 1995. The album was produced and arranged by Lars Halapi, a long time collaborator who has subsequently worked on all her material.
She was awarded a Grammy at the Swedish Grammy awards as Best Newcomer in 1995, she was also nominated for Best Female Pop Singer. Her album managed Gold status both in Sweden and Japan. After promoting her debut in the US, she finally started to work on her new album in the Autumn of 1997. This second effort entitled Precious Burden came the following year. Since the turbulence of the first album release, Zelmani has started saying no to interviews and only embarks on tour for short periods of time.
The third, fourth and fifth albums, Time to Kill (1999), Sing and Dance (2002) and Love Affair (2003) quickly followed. Ten years after her debut she released a best-of album titled A Decade Of Dreams which also included two new tracks.
Further albums released after this 'best of' are: Memory Loves You (2007), The Ocean and Me (2008), I'm The Rain, (2010), Soul (2011).
Zelmani has also contributed music to the TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Dawson's Creek". Her cover of Bob Dylan's "Most Of The Time" appears on the soundtrack to "Masked and Anonymous", and also on the album Cohen - The Scandinavian Report.
Her song "Stand By" appeared in the film "Independence Day" (1996). Her song "Always You" appeared in the film "My Best Friend's Wedding" (1997).
Time To Kill
Sophie Zelmani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For your demons
For your husband
For your son
For love
For love
A life on prayer
For better days
Better days
If you are just nights and days
If you are just years away
If your time really stands still
We just have time to kill
Time to kill
Against our will
Against all respect for fate
Against all sense
Against love
Against love
We are locked out
From your secret place
For love
If you are just nights and days
If you are just years away
If your time really stands still
We just have time to kill
Time to kill
If you are just nights and days
If you are just years away
If your time really stands still
We just have time to kill
The lyrics of Sophie Zelmani's "Time to Kill" depict a sense of longing and desperation for someone. The singer seems to be urging this person to come back to them for their own good, for the sake of overcoming their hardships and being with the people who love and care for them. The first stanza lays out the reasons for this appeal, citing the person's demons, husband, son, and, ultimately, love as motivators for them to return. The second stanza, however, takes a darker turn, as it alludes to the possibility that fate or circumstances may prevent this reunion, and that the singer and their loved ones are at odds with forces beyond their control. The lyrics end on a note of uncertainty, with the repetition of the chorus emphasizing that the only certainty is that time is passing, and that they have precious little of it left to waste.
The ambiguity and emotional complexity of the lyrics are bolstered by the song's instrumentation and Zelmani's vocal performance. The melody is sparse and haunting, built around a repeating guitar riff that maintains a sense of tension and unease throughout. Zelmani's vocals are likewise understated but powerful, imbuing the lyrics with a sense of longing and vulnerability that makes them all the more affecting. By the end of the song, the listener is left with a sense of unresolved tension and unresolved questions, much like the singer themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
For your own good
In order to benefit you and your wellbeing.
For your demons
To help you overcome your personal areas of struggle or turmoil.
For your husband
Out of love and commitment to your spouse.
For your son
With the intention of providing the best life possible for your child.
For love
Driven by deep affection and devotion towards someone or something.
For love
Once again, motivated by intense emotions of love and attachment.
A life on prayer
A way of living that involves devotion and faith.
You will be coming back to us
Reassurance that the person will return to their loved ones.
For better days
Hope for a brighter future filled with positive experiences.
Better days
Reiterated optimism and anticipation for good things to come.
If you are just nights and days
If time seems to be passing slowly or without much significance.
If you are just years away
If you are physically distant from those who care about you or if you are far off in the future.
If your time really stands still
If your life feels stagnant or unchanging.
We just have time to kill
Time seems to be passing slowly and we need something to do with it.
Time to kill
Reiteration that there is nothing exciting or worthwhile filling the present moment.
Against our will
Even though it is out of our control or desire.
Against all respect for fate
Regardless of any respect we may have for something beyond our control or understanding.
Against all sense
Even though it may not make logical sense.
Against love
Despite feelings of affection, love may not be the most practical or healthy option.
Against love
Once again, contradicting intense emotions of love and attachment.
We are locked out
We are unable to access or understand something important or meaningful.
From your secret place
From a hidden or guarded location or part of a person's life.
For love
Despite the difficulty or lack of access, motivated by deep love and attachment.
If you are just nights and days
Repetition of previous line.
If you are just years away
Repetition of previous line.
If your time really stands still
Repetition of previous line.
We just have time to kill
Repetition of previous line.
Time to kill
Repetition of previous line.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HALAPI, ZELMANI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-co5hr5sl4q
Как же прекрасны её песни !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@samppaankka2197
wonderful video and song! she should be more popular all over the world!
@dadumdadumm
Couldnt agree more.
Proud to be swedish because of her.
@pawelgryka
I love your voice... it brings me a calm everytime I'm listening any of your album.
@MPetre-ps6bn
You are so beautifull... and you have an angel voice...
@etoiledusud68
une voix extraordinaire et un regard plein de tendresse ,merci
@annaylvasdottir4459
Lyssnat på dig i snart 25 år.sofie zelmani. Tröttnar aldrig ❤
@missrosediana
angelic voice
@Wcgn-zm7bf
Jag älskar dig.
@marcelopereyra1518
Sofia. No te conocia. Hermosisima musica!!! Bella mujer!!!