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.
Purple Rain
Stina Nordenstam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted to one time see you laughing
I only wanted to see you laughing in the purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain
I never wanted to be your weekend lover
I only wanted to be some kind of friend
I could never steal you from another
It's such a shame our friendship had to end
Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain
I only wanted to see you underneath the purple rain
Honey I know, I know, I know times are changing
It's time we all reach out for something new
That means you too
You say you want a leader
But you can't seem to make up your mind
I think you better close it
And let me guide you to the purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain
If you know what I'm singing about up here
See'mon raise your hand
Purple rain Purple rain
I only want to see you, only want to see you
In the purple rain
The song "Purple Rain" by Stina Nordenstam is a melancholic yet hauntingly beautiful ode to a lost lover. The lyrics express regret for causing pain and sorrow to a former friend, with the singer admitting that they never intended to cause such hurt. Instead, the singer only wanted to see their friend laughing, just once, in the purple rain. The song is a melancholic reflection on lost love, as the singer mourns the end of a friendship that could never be. Even though the singer wanted to be more than just a weekend lover, the relationship was not meant to be, and it ended in sadness.
The lyrics suggest that the world is changing, and it's time to reach out for something new. Still, the singer knows that their former friend needs guidance, much like a leader or mentor would offer. The purple rain is a symbolic gesture of hope, a way to wash away the sadness and start anew. In the end, the singer only wants to see their friend, only wants to see them in the purple rain, a hopeful image of a new beginning.
Line by Line Meaning
I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I didn't intend to make you sad.
I never meant to cause you any pain
I didn't intend to hurt you.
I only wanted to one time see you laughing
I just wanted to see you happy once.
I only wanted to see you laughing in the purple rain
I wanted to see you happy in a beautiful, rare moment.
Purple rain Purple rain
The beauty and rarity of this moment.
I never wanted to be your weekend lover
I didn't want to just be a casual fling.
I only wanted to be some kind of friend
I just wanted to be there for you in any way I could.
I could never steal you from another
I would never break up a committed relationship.
It's such a shame our friendship had to end
It's sad that our connection had to come to a close.
I only wanted to see you underneath the purple rain
I longed to see you in this beautiful moment.
Honey I know, I know, I know times are changing
I understand that things are different now.
It's time we all reach out for something new
We should all take a chance on something different.
That means you too
You should take a chance too.
You say you want a leader
You're looking for someone to lead you.
But you can't seem to make up your mind
You're indecisive.
I think you better close it
You should stop overthinking it.
And let me guide you to the purple rain
Let me help you to experience this beautiful rarity.
Purple rain Purple rain
The beauty and rarity of this moment.
If you know what I'm singing about up here
If you understand what I mean.
See'mon raise your hand
Show me that you understand.
Purple rain Purple rain
The beauty and rarity of this moment.
I only want to see you, only want to see you
The only thing I want is to see you.
In the purple rain
In this beautiful moment.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind