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.
Walk in the Park
Stina Nordenstam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She was the only child
Her mother used to say I'd spoil her too much
She was my joy and pride
Seems like yesterday ... I hear her voice
Five hours left to go:
"Won't you let me, well you know I can drive
Please let me take your car
Two policemen in the car behind
Not on duty but they stopped
And just before the car caught fire
Bravely they pulled her off
Now days grow warmer Chris and spring is here
You'll see it with my eyes
If I were you Chrissie I'd rather not
Take this to stay alive
No I would rather die
One of these days when the sun shines
We'll go outside
And listen to the birds in the park
The song “Walk in the Park” by Stina Nordenstam is a poignant and emotional ballad about a tragic event and the aftermath of grief. The lyrics tell the story of Chris, who lost her mother when she was just five years old. We learn that Chris’ mother used to spoil her and was her joy and pride. The singer of the song appears to be someone who knew Chris and her mother, and is likely to be Chris’ father or a close family friend. The song is a tribute to Chris and the pain she has endured.
The lyrics take us through the haunting image of a car accident, where Chris was driving and two policemen had to pull her out of the burning car before it caught on fire. We can sense the agony of the singer as he relives the event and refers to Chris as "Chrissie", which is a term of endearment. The song is full of sadness and regret, with a feeling of sorrow that Chris’ mother is not around to help her through this difficult time. In the end, the singer mentions the coming of spring and how he wishes he could take Chris outside to listen to the birds in the park, as a way to offer some comfort and a chance for Chris to heal.
This song is deeply emotional and the lyrics are vivid and powerful. It touches on themes of loss, grief, and the bonds we form with others. It is a beautiful tribute to someone who has gone through a difficult time and a song that resonates with anyone who has experienced loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Chris was five when her mother died
When Chris was only five years old, her mother passed away
She was the only child
Chris was the sole offspring of her parents
Her mother used to say I'd spoil her too much
Chris' mother would always comment that I pamper her excessively
She was my joy and pride
Chris meant everything to me and she was what made me happy
Seems like yesterday ... I hear her voice
I can still vividly recall Chris' voice like it was just yesterday
Five hours left to go:
Only five hours of the day remained
"Won't you let me, well you know I can drive
Chris pleads if I could allow her to drive, as she was skilled enough to do it
Please let me take your car
She requested me to lend her my car
Won't you please let me take your car"
Chris pleaded with me to let her borrow my car
Two policemen in the car behind
There were two police officers traveling in the vehicle behind them on the road
Not on duty but they stopped
Although they were not on duty, the police officers still made an effort to help
And just before the car caught fire
The car was about to burst into flames
Bravely they pulled her off
The two policemen courageously saved Chris from the car
Now days grow warmer Chris and spring is here
The current climate is increasingly warm, indicating the arrival of spring and rebirth
You'll see it with my eyes
I want you to realize this through my perspective
If I were you Chrissie I'd rather not
If I were Chris, I wouldn't think it's worth it
Take this to stay alive
Choose this option only if it's a matter of life and death
No I would rather die
I'd risk existence over living with the guilt of taking someone else's life away
One of these days when the sun shines
In the near future, on a sunny day
We'll go outside
We'll venture out into the open
And listen to the birds in the park
We'll listen to the pleasant chirping of birds at the park
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: STINA NORDENSTAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Zealch_
I'm curious on these lyrics:
If I were you Chrissie I'd rather not
Take this to stay alive
No I would rather die
are meant to be interpreted as: If I were you Chrissie I'd rather not (commit suicide). Take this to stay alive (Psychotropic medications). Then Chrissie rejecting saying "No I would rather die".
or
If I were you Chrissie I'd rather not take this to stay alive (one sentence). No I would rather die (narrator would rather die if they were chrissie)
@kimiNyanncat
Violent Dreams - Crystal Castles!!!
@arkypp
Vietnam - Crystal Castles!!!
@TeaDrinker3000
It doesn't surprise me that anyone would want to sample such a beautiful song
@Surfer8652
Holy shit, I never knew this is what inspired Violent Dreams by Crystal Castles. This is wild!
@babyboomertwerkteam5662
Their track Vietnam sampled this too!
@babyboomertwerkteam5662
This song is sampled in two songs by Crystal Castles: "Violent Dreams" and "Vietnam".
@riannaroberts4769
This is beautifully depressing, I've never been so at peace with sorrow
@yaboyeric
This is one haunting/amazing song.
@Chem_Zone_Total
She carries on where the greatest Jazz Singer ever, Billy Holiday, left. Blasting all boundaries away which oppose her blissful gift.
@convolution223
woah what a unique voice