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.
Winter
Stina Nordenstam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Easy to behave and
Easy to believe in it
On cold days it is
Easy to see clear and
Easy to believe in it
You say winter's killing you
It has no smell or flavor
I left the city for you
There was no other reason
I did your wife a favour
You're safer with me here
You're safer with me here
You're safer with me here
And you there
I took the fast track
Considered crying
I was stopped in customs
Quite proud of the knack
I have of knowing
When it's over
You're safer with me here
You're safer with me here
You're safer with me here
And you there
With a bit of ice under my clothes
My tongue against the teeth
I think of nothing
Walk around the house on the cold
'Til it hurts to breath
I think of nothing
I knew I had to leave
Cause spring was coming
You'd made a lover out of me
And spring was coming
I'm safer with me here
I'm safer with me here
I'm safer with me here
And you there
The opening lines of Stina Nordenstam's Winter Killing suggest that the singer believes that it is easier to behave and believe in the harsh winter days. The singer then addresses someone else who is claiming that winter is killing them and that they cannot stand the season as it has no flavor or smell. The singer then reveals that they left the city for this person and that it was for no other reason than to do the person's wife a favor. They then reassure the other person that they are safer with them there, and that they are still safe when they are there and the other person is somewhere else.
The song then shifts back to the singer's own thoughts about the cold, and how they "think of nothing" as they walk around the house until it hurts to breathe. They then say that they knew they had to leave because spring was coming and that the other person had made a lover out of them. The song then ends with the singer saying they are safer with themselves and that the other person is still safe, even if they are not with them.
Line by Line Meaning
On cold days it is
During winter, when the weather is cold and dreary,
Easy to behave and
it's easy to act and be on your best behaviour,
Easy to believe in it
it's easy to trust the people and things around you.
You say winter's killing you
You express that winter is emotionally difficult for you.
That you can't stand the season
You find the cold and darkness of winter unbearable.
It has no smell or flavor
Winter lacks distinct sensory experiences; it's bland and unexciting.
I left the city for you
I sacrificed the city life I loved for your sake.
There was no other reason
I didn't leave for any other purpose but to be with you.
I did your wife a favour
I did a favour for your wife by leaving you both alone.
You're safer with me here
You're more secure and protected when you're with me.
And you there
You're safe and supported where you are.
I took the fast track
I made a quick decision.
Considered crying
I thought about showing my emotions, but ultimately didn't.
I was stopped in customs
I encountered an obstacle or delay during my travels.
Quite proud of the knack
I was pleased with my ability to recognize when things are over and it's time to move on.
With a bit of ice under my clothes
I'm numb to the cold and emotionally detached.
My tongue against the teeth
I'm holding back my emotions or biting my tongue.
I think of nothing
I'm not thinking of anything or trying to escape my thoughts.
Walk around the house on the cold
I pace through the house trying to distract myself from my emotions and the cold.
'Til it hurts to breath
I distract myself until the painful reality of the situation sets in.
I knew I had to leave
I realized it was time to leave.
Cause spring was coming
I knew that life would continue.
You'd made a lover out of me
You made me fall in love with you.
I'm safer with me here
I'm more secure and protected being alone.
And you there
You're safe where you are, without me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STINA NORDENSTAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind