The original use of strings: cello, violin, guitars, a full string quartet diverts the traditional perception of those classic instruments when they deal with electronics and the result is emotionally moving.
The album has been written and recorded between Berlin and Rome, it took nearly two years to be made, Teho and Blixa worked next to each other choosing carefully every sound, every word and silence.
There are 12 songs on Still Smiling, including a new version of A Quiet Life and a cover of Alone With The Moon by The Tiger Lilies.
Amongst collaborators there are The Balanescu Quartet and cellist Martina Bertoni.
Lyrics are visionary and are sung in english, german and italian, Blixa reveals a really personal and intimate side to the listener this time.
Still Smiling is an album whose special vision covers all the sky between Rome and Berlin, daytime and nocturnal.
It'll be released on Teho's label Specula on april 22nd in Italy and it'll be distributed all over Europe on June 28th 2013.
There's also an italian tour in May: 7th Roma, Circolo degli Artisti, 9th Milano, Alcatraz, 10th Moncalieri/Torino, Audiodrome, 11th Bologna, Senza Filtro where Teho and Blixa will be joined on stage by cellist Martina Bertoni.
Tracklist:
1 Mi Scusi
2 Come Up And See Me
3 Axolotl
4 Buntmetalldiebe
5 Still Smiling
6 Nocturnalie
7 Alone With The Moon
8 What if...?
9 Konjunktiv II
10 Nur Zur Erinnerung
11 A Quiet Life
12 Defenestrazioni
Here's the video by Chiara Battistini of Mi Scusi, the first track from the album http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXzcBpIGKas&feature=youtu.be
Musicians
Teho Teardo - baritone guitar, electric and acoustic guitars, bass, rhodes piano, synths, piano, percussions, electronics, programming
Blixa Bargeld - voice, hammond organ, clavichord, electric slide guitar, water percussion, re-arrangements, glockenspiel
featuring:
Martina Bertoni - Cello
The Balanescu Quartet
Alexander Balanescu - violin
James Shenton - violin
Katie Wilkinson - viola
Nick Holland - cello
Elena De Stabile - violin
Elisabetta Pacini - italian accent voice
Crew
Recorded in Berlin at Anderebaustelle studio and Rome at Basement recordings, 2012/2013
Still smiling
Teho Teardo & Blixa Bargeld Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
still there.
I re-count the black days
recollect some circumstances
even though it takes my sleep
I recall the black days
the mismatches and the end of some affairs
between zenith and nadir
is there a pattern anywhere?
I recall the black days
the blackest one it's not the last one but it's there
and somewhere down there
I'm smiling
still smiling
I'm smiling
from the bottom of my shapeless soul
I'm smiling
anyway
I recount the black days
wade through all the shadows
even so it takes my sleep
I recall the black days
the cuts and the recovery
from unnecessary growth
I recall the black days
as maybe grim and melanized
but also colourful
and somewhere down there
I'm smiling
still smiling
I'm smiling
from the bottom of my fairtrade soul
I'm smiling …
still there?
The song "Still Smiling" by Teho Teardo & Blixa Bargeld is a hauntingly beautiful and introspective track that explores the concept of resilience and finding joy in difficult times. The repetition of the phrase "still there?" acts as a reminder to check in with oneself and acknowledge the struggles that have been faced, but ultimately the song remains optimistic and highlights the capacity to keep smiling.
The lyrics recount the "black days" - the hardships, mismatches, and painful endings that have been experienced. Despite the emotional toll of reflecting on these experiences, the singer finds solace and even beauty in them, acknowledging the patterns and growth that have emerged. The imagery of "wading through shadows" and "recalling unnecessary growth" emphasizes the journey of coming out the other side of difficult times.
The chorus declares "I'm smiling, still smiling" - an affirmation that even when things are tough, there is still the capacity for joy and contentment. The repetition of "from the bottom of my shapeless soul" and "from the bottom of my fairtrade soul" adds to the sense of depth and complexity, suggesting that the struggles have helped to shape and define the person.
Overall, the song acts as a powerful reminder to persevere through difficult times and find strength and beauty in the journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Still there?
Are you still present and listening?
Still there.
Affirmative response to the previous question.
I re-count the black days
I revisit and remember the difficult times.
recollect some circumstances
I recall specific situations and events.
even though it takes my sleep
Despite the fact that it causes sleeplessness and distress.
I recall the black days
I remember the times of hardship and struggle.
the mismatches and the end of some affairs
The disagreements and endings of some relationships or endeavors.
between zenith and nadir
Between the highest and lowest points of my life.
is there a pattern anywhere?
Is there a discernible sequence or order to these difficult experiences?
I recall the black days
I bring to mind the times of trials and tribulations.
the blackest one it's not the last one but it's there
The most challenging event is not the most recent, but it has left a lasting impact.
and somewhere down there
Deep beneath the surface, hidden from plain view.
I'm smiling
I am expressing joy or contentment.
still smiling
I am continuing to feel happiness.
I'm smiling
I am experiencing a positive emotion.
from the bottom of my shapeless soul
Deep within my being, where my essence resides.
I'm smiling
I am feeling genuine happiness or pleasure.
anyway
Despite the difficulties, I am still finding reasons to be happy.
I recount the black days
I revisit and remember the challenging times.
wade through all the shadows
I navigate through the darkness and uncertainty.
even so it takes my sleep
Despite the fact that it causes insomnia or anxiety.
I recall the black days
I call to mind the trying experiences.
the cuts and the recovery
The painful moments and the subsequent healing process.
from unnecessary growth
Arising from unwanted or unneeded situations or circumstances.
I recall the black days
I remember the difficult and challenging times.
as maybe grim and melanized
Potentially gloomy or darkened by bad experiences.
but also colourful
But amid that darkness, there were also bright moments.
Contributed by Austin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@draganad.8351
still there?
still there.
I re-count the black days
recollect some circumstances
even though it takes my sleep
I recall the black days
the mismatches and the end of some affairs
I recall the black days
between zenith and nadir
is there a pattern anywhere?
I recall the black days
the blackest one it"s not the last one but it"s there
and somewhere down there
I"m smiling
still smiling
I"m smiling
from the bottom of my shapeless soul
I"m smiling
anyway
I recount the black days
wade through all the shadows
even so it takes my sleep
I recall the black days
the cuts and the recovery
from unnecessary growth
I recall the black days
as maybe grim and melanized
but also colourful
and somewhere down there
I"m smiling
still smiling
I"m smiling
from the bottom of my fairtrade soul
I"m smiling ...
still there?
@SEIII-cn4cx
lyrics
Still there?
.
.
.
Still there
I re-count the black days
Recollect some circumstances
Even though it takes my sleep
I recall the black days
The mismatches and the end of some affairs
I recall the black days
Between zenith and nadir
Is there a pattern anywhere?
I recall the black days
The blackest one it's not the last one but it's there
.
.
And somewhere down there
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
From the bottom of my shapeless soul
I'm smiling
Still smiling
.
.
.
I recount the black days
Wade through all the shadows
Even so it takes my sleep
I recall the black days
The cuts and the recovery
From unnecessary growth
I recall these black days
As maybe grim and melanized
But also colourful
And somewhere down there
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
From the bottom of my fairtrade soul
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
Even so, it hurts sometimes
I'm smiling
Yes, I'm smiling
Still smiling
From my hypothetical soul
.
.
.
.
Still there?
Still there
@figliadisam
Still there?
Still there
I re-count the black days
Recollect some circumstances
Even though it takes my sleep
I recall the black days
The mismatches and the end of some affairs
I recall the black days
Between zenith and nadir
Is there a pattern anywhere?
I recall the black days
The blackest one it's not the last one but it's there
And somewhere down there
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
From the bottom of my shapeless soul
I'm smiling
Anyway
I recount the black days
Wade through all the shadows
Even so it takes my sleep
I recall the black days
The cuts and the recovery
From unnecessary growth
I recall these black days
As maybe grim and melanized
But also colourful
And somewhere down there
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
From the bottom of my fairtrade soul
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
Even so, it hurts sometimes
I'm smiling
Yes, I'm smiling
Still smiling
From my hypothetical soul
@lizzieliz1333
this became my mantra when battling yet another depression relapse. while at the bottom of a very dark and lonely place i was literally forcing myself to whisper quietly "still there" and "i'm smiling". so much meaning hidden, and most of all, a different meaning for everyone.
@philbabb6460
Still there?
Still there.
@marcinkitowski1109
Fenomenalny utwór...Brawooo jakie to prawdziwe. Każdy z Nas ma swój bagaż doświadczeń. Dziekuje 3ce za ten utwór. Pozdrawiam.
@yukas1ngas
Beautiful!
@jacquesd5781
Heard this in a tv show. Very good! Reminds me of Leonard Cohen. Beautiful and moving.
@hernanrodriguez8873
I discovered him because of Dark, very beautiful music
@josebarrocas8570
I was16
@josebarrocas8570
Einsturzend Neubauten
@donnaread8757
I can't imagine you any other way but "still smiling" . Smiling is sometimes a choice that will positively affect you and those that you see. A smile can make the difference in some ones day, even life. Thank you for this piece. It makes me smile. Donna R.
@paulaboncompagne6280
This song tears me apart.