Stina Nordenstam (born Kristina Ulrika Nordenstam on 4 March 1969 in Stockh… Read Full Bio ↴Stina Nordenstam (born Kristina Ulrika Nordenstam on 4 March 1969 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish singer, songwriter and musician.

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.

Under Your Command
Stina Nordenstam Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Under your command
did I not do well
Was not my record fine

Under your command
wouldn't I have walked straight thru hell
And did I ever look down

Under your command
Didn't I walk naked and cold
Did I spare any pains

Under your command
Wasn't I courageous and bold
Did you ever hear me complain

Under your command
Did my hand ever shake
Didn't I stay cold as ice

Under your command
Did I leave any trace
Was I not great telling lies

Under your command
Was I not true to the cause
Did I not swallow my pride

Under your command

Did I not follow your laws
Did I ever mind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Stina Nordenstam's song "Under Your Command" depict a one-sided dialogue between the singer and an unknown authority figure, potentially a lover or a higher-up in a professional setting. The singer is questioning their own performance under this person's command, asking if they did not do well or have a fine record. They then go on to list various ways in which they showed strength and resilience, walking straight through hell, being courageous and bold, and not complaining. The singer also questions if they were not true to the cause and if they did not follow the laws set forth by this authority figure.

In many ways, these lyrics can be interpreted as a plea for approval and validation from the person in charge. The singer seems to be actively searching for recognition and approval, asking if they did well and if they were not great at telling lies. However, by the end of the song, the singer seems to be wondering if all of their sacrifices and hard work were worth it, asking if they ever minded following this person's lead.

Overall, the lyrics evoke a sense of questioning one's own worth and value based on the approval of those in power. It is a commentary on the power dynamics between individuals in positions of authority and those who are under their command.

Line by Line Meaning

Under your command
I was under your control

did I not do well
Did I not perform satisfactorily?

Was not my record fine
Wasn't my history good?

Under your command
I was under your power

wouldn't I have walked straight thru hell
Wouldn't I have done anything for you?

And did I ever look down
And did I ever lose confidence?

Under your command
I was under your authority

Didn't I walk naked and cold
Didn't I do difficult things?

Did I spare any pains
Did I try to avoid any difficulties?

Under your command
I was under your domination

Wasn't I courageous and bold
Wasn't I brave and confident?