In 1991, the year she released her first album Memories of a Colour, Nordenstam played at the Swedish parliament as part of the Year of Jazz. Her early work, including her second album, And She Closed Her Eyes, released in 1994, was significantly jazz-influenced, with only subtle elements of alternative rock. With 1997's Dynamite she started down a darker, more experimental path; most of the album was filled with processed, distorted electric guitars and unusual beats, but careful listening revealed her unique song-writing abilities.
An album of covers, People Are Strange, followed before she returned in 2001 with This Is Stina Nordenstam, an album with shorter songs and a more pop-like feel; ex-Suede vocalist Brett Anderson featured on two tracks. In 2003 Nordenstam appeared in a duet with Jonas Bjerre from Mew on Mew's third album Frengers, with a song called "Her Voice Is beyond Her Years". Between 2003 and 2004 she made the Swedish radio-theatre series called The Fears of the Ice, about one of the first polar expeditions.
Her 2004 album, The World Is Saved, continues the path set on This Is..., but presents a more realised sound and acknowledges her earlier jazz influences more.
In addition to being a musician, Nordenstam also works in other fields, such as photography and music-video directing.
Slightly reclusive, she gives very few interviews, rarely performs live and even alters her appearance using wigs and make-up for album covers and magazines. During the promotion for The World Is Saved, however, she gave more interviews than usual, and even talked about the possibility of future live performances.
In 2006, Nordenstam appeared on Snow Borne Sorrow, an album by the band Nine Horses, singing duets with the band's vocalist, David Sylvian.
Bird on a Wire
Stina Nordenstam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I've tried in my way to be free
Like a worm on a hook
Like a knight from some old fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee
Please just let it go by
If I've been untrue
It was never to you
Like a baby, stillborn
Like a beast with his horn
I've torn everyone who reached out for me
If I've been unkind
If I've been untrue
But I swear by this song
And by all that I've done wrong
I will make it all up to thee
Unkind, untrue
It was never to you
The first verse of Stina Nordenstam's "Bird on a Wire" presents two metaphors that encapsulate the singer's experience of her attempts at being free. The first simile compares her to a bird trapped on a wire, unable to fully fly away and be free. The second metaphor characterizes her as a drunk in a midnight choir, connoting an overwhelming sense of disorientation, discomfort, and confusion. Both metaphors also suggest a sense of loneliness and isolation, evoking the image of a bird singing alone on a wire or a drunk swaying in a group of people.
The second verse continues with two more metaphors, this time centering on the singer's relationships. She compares herself to a worm on a hook, hinting at vulnerability and powerlessness, and to a knight from an old-fashioned book, implying a sense of anachronism and romanticism. The phrase "I have saved all my ribbons for thee" reinforces this romantic idea, even though it is not clear who the "thee" is. The lyrics then shift to an admission of past mistakes and unkindness, with a plea for forgiveness and understanding.
In the last verse, the singer employs two final metaphors. The first compares her to a stillborn baby, suggesting a lack of fruition, growth, and life. The second compares her to a beast with horns, hinting at the presence of dangerous or harmful qualities. However, the verse ends on a positive note, with the singer swearing to make amends for her wrongdoings and to be a better person moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a bird on the wire
Feeling vulnerable and exposed, like a bird perched on a thin wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
Lost and disoriented, like a drunk in a group of singing people at night
I've tried in my way to be free
Attempted to live and express oneself freely, although in a unique, personal way
Like a worm on a hook
Helplessly trapped, like a worm impaled on a fishing hook
Like a knight from some old fashioned book
Chivalrous and honorable, like a character from a classic tale
I have saved all my ribbons for thee
Kept all the signs of affection and love for someone special
If I've been unkind
Apologizing for any wrongdoing or hurtful behavior
Please just let it go by
Asking for forgiveness and hoping to move on
If I've been untrue
Admitting to any unfaithfulness or betrayal
It was never to you
Clarifying that any infidelity did not involve the person being addressed
Like a baby, stillborn
Feeling dead and hopeless, like a baby that never had a chance to live
Like a beast with his horn
Dangerously ready to attack, like an animal protecting itself with its horns
I've torn everyone who reached out for me
Hurting and pushing away people who tried to help
But I swear by this song
Making a solemn promise
And by all that I've done wrong
Acknowledging any past mistakes and faults
I will make it all up to thee
Hoping to make amends and repay any debts or sins committed
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind