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.
On Falling
Stina Nordenstam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's in everything
Hold on to nothing
Don't count on anything
The earth is falling too
It doesn't stop at night
See this glass is falling
And no I'm not alright
Even the low are falling
Even the lying
All of us are going down
It's not just the flying
You're tall and you are skinny
Stunning when you sleep
Ecstasy and sadness
I almost couldn't wash the sheets
Even you are falling
When you're turning out the lights
Strange and lovely facts for
Us who cannot sleep at night
Even the brave are falling
Even the boring
All of us are going down so
Just try to ignore it
Even the streets are falling
Look at the houses
All of us are going down and
It's not alright, no
The cars and the trucks are falling
The buses are kneeling
You're shot and you're going down so
Get used to the feeling
In Stina Nordenstam's song "On Falling," she explores the idea that everything in life is constantly in a state of falling. The opening lines of the song immediately set the tone for this theme, as she sings, "All of us are falling, it's in everything." The repetition of the word "falling" throughout the song emphasizes the inevitability of this process and how it applies to everyone and everything, regardless of social class, personality type, or circumstance.
The lyrics "Hold on to nothing, don't count on anything" echo the idea of impermanence and the need to let go of attachment. The line "The earth is falling too, it doesn't stop at night" suggests that this process is ongoing and doesn't pause for rest or reflection. The mention of the falling glass reflects the fragility of life and how unexpected events can shatter one's sense of security.
The verse which mentions the other person is particularly poignant, as it highlights the beauty and complexity of human life. However, even this person is subject to the same falling process as everything else. The line "Ecstasy and sadness, I almost couldn't wash the sheets" suggests a moment of intimacy between the singer and this person, but even this moment is overshadowed by the inevitability of falling.
Overall, "On Falling" is a contemplative and thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to reflect on the transience of life and the need to embrace change and impermanence.
Line by Line Meaning
All of us are falling
We are all in a state of decline or collapse
It's in everything
It affects everything around us
Hold on to nothing
Don't get attached to anything or it will disappoint you
Don't count on anything
Don't rely on anything, as it may also disappoint you
The earth is falling too
Even the planet we live on is in a process of decline and destruction
It doesn't stop at night
This process of falling is continuous and doesn't pause even when we rest
See this glass is falling
Even objects we perceive as solid are subject to decay and breaking
And no I'm not alright
The artist is not doing well emotionally, likely due to this universal sense of decline
Even the low are falling
Even those who are lowest in society are subject to this decline
Even the lying
Even the dishonest or deceitful people are affected by this
All of us are going down
Every single one of us is part of this process
It's not just the flying
It's not just those who are elevated or privileged who experience this
You're tall and you are skinny
The singer is describing someone who is physically attractive
Stunning when you sleep
The same person is even beautiful while asleep
Ecstasy and sadness
This attractive person evokes both high and low feelings in the singer
I almost couldn't wash the sheets
The artist felt overwhelmed by emotions while in this person's bed
Even you are falling
Even someone who may seem elevated or flawless is subject to this process of decline
When you're turning out the lights
This process of falling may be even more evident in moments of solitude or darkness
Strange and lovely facts for
These ideas may be unsettling, but they are also beautiful in their own way
Us who cannot sleep at night
This sense of decline can be especially distressing at night when we are alone with our thoughts
Even the brave are falling
Even those who are known for being courageous are not immune to this process
Even the boring
Even people who seem dull or unremarkable are part of this universal experience
All of us are going down so
We are all in this together, regardless of our differences
Just try to ignore it
The artist suggests that perhaps the best approach is to try to disregard this process
Even the streets are falling
Even the infrastructure and physical areas around us are subject to decay
Look at the houses
Even our homes, which provide shelter and comfort, are slowly deteriorating
It's not alright, no
The singer admits this process of falling is concerning and disturbing
The cars and the trucks are falling
Even the modes of transportation we rely on are subject to decline and destruction
The buses are kneeling
Even public transportation, which may seem mundane, is part of this process
You're shot and you're going down so
The singer is addressing someone specifically, informing them that they too are part of this process
Get used to the feeling
The singer suggests that perhaps we should embrace this feeling of decline and accept it as part of our lives
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STINA NORDENSTAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind