Jenni Vartiainen sings about love between two women
Finnish singer Jenni Vartiainen who is best known for being part of the Finnish girlband Gimmel is releasing her first solo record titled Ihmisten Edessa ("In front of people") next week. The title song seems to tell a story about the love between two women.
"People can interprit it any way they want to, but it does tell a story about a bit different kind of love. The lyrics were so amazing that I wanted to sing about this subject."
The lyrics have been penned by Teemu Brunila who is the frontman for a very popular Finnish rockband The Crash.
"Even though most of the songs on this album haven't been written by me, I've had many conversations about the themes/subjects with the writers".
Ihmisten edessa tells about the feelings of being in public for the first time with the subject of your infatuation. "It's about that 'don't you worry about other people looking, we're together now'. I know how it feels to be out in public for the first time with someone you like."
"I don't consider these lyrics to be particularly bold. Of course there are subjects that have less songs to be written about but all this is life, it's nothing more complicated than that. Some subjects are more natural for me to sing about. For others they might not be. I know this song will raise questions, but that's only a good thing."
She's not bothered if the song will cause people to question her own sexual preference.
"I don't think about things like that. I have my own private life and I'll keep it to myself. I don't have to explain myself any further."
Jenni who is in her second year of studying to become a teacher of singing hopes that intolerant people to hear her song.
"I hope that the song will raise awareness among the less tolerant people. Maybe by now we're living in times where we can sing about these things".
(interview from Ilta-Sanomat 2007-09-06)
Plus, check out the video for her first single Tunnoton ("Numb") which features somewhat lesbian undertones.
Lyrics to "Ihmisten edessa" (quick and dirty translation. Someone who has more time can do revisions):
Kadut tayttyy ihmisista
(streets are filled with people)
ne ei tieda meista mitaan
(they don't know anything about us)
Ootat mua asemalla
(you're waiting for me at the station)
Ehka kello antaa anteeksi minulle
(maybe the watch will forgive me)
Juoksen loppumatkan
(I'll run the rest of the way)
Sina olet kaunis niin kuin aina
(you're beautiful just like always)
sinun korkeissa koroissa
(in your high heels)
Sanot: "Tama ilta kavellaan kasi kadessa
(you say tonight we'll walk hand in hand)
ihmisten edessa
(in front of people)
ala sina muiden katseista valita
(don't you worry about others gazes)
silla me ollaan yhdessa
(because we're together)
Ne ei tieda mitaan, ne ei kuulu tahan tarinaan
(they don't know anything, they don't belong in this story)
joka harvoille luetaan"
(that is meant for only a few)
Kadut tayttyy aanista
(streets are filled with voices)
joku huutaa meidan peraan
(that are shouting to us)
Olet meista vahvempi
(you're the stronger of the two of us)
kanssasi en pelkaa kaupungin pimeaa
(with you I don't fear the darkness of the city)
Ihmisjoukon kohdalla
(in front of the crowd)
pidat kiinni kovempaa
(you hold on tighter)
ja pelkoni katoaa
(and my fear disappears)
Silla tama ilta kavellaan kasi kadessa
(because tonight we walk hand in hand)
ihmisten edessa
(in front of people)
ala sina muiden katseista valita
(don't you worry about others gazes)
silla me ollaan yhdessa
(because we're together)
Ne ei tieda mitaan, ne ei kuulu tahan tarinaan
(they don't know anything, they don't belong in this story)
joka harvoille luetaan
(that is meant for only a few)
Submitted by
on September 6, 2007 - 11:24am.
Ohmigoddes
I know!
I know! Wasn't a Gimmel fan but I've had SUCH a big crush on Jenni for years. I always thought she was going to make a great solo artist and she's proving me right :)
How lucky are we that she's supportive of samesex relationships. And she seems to have the same attitude. I don't think she's gay herself but I'm just glad she's willing to take the heat and sing about it. But man would it be cool if she was gay or bi. Either way she's a fantastic singer and I'm SO going to buy her album next week when it's released.
Yeah, I too don't think she
Yeah, I too don't think she is gay, but it's like huge thing she's ready to sing about subject. And somehow, if she is gay or bi, it would be gigantic bonus.
I listened Ihmisten edessä, and I like that song pretty much, like I like Tunnoton. Sadly, my budjet is almost non-existing and I have so many records in my "have to buy" -list. But later I'm going to get that album.
A Better Translation of Ihmisten Edessa
"In Front of the People"
The streets are filling with people
They don't know anything about us
You wait for me in the station
Maybe the clock will forgive me
I run the rest of the way
You're beautiful as always
In your high heels
You say: "This evening we'll walk together hand in hand
In front of the people
Don't care about other people's glances
Since we're together
They don't know about anything, they don't belong to this story
which is read to few'"
The streets are filling with noise
Somebody shouts after us
You're the stronger of us
With you I'm not afraid of the city's darkness
In the point of the crowd
You hold tighter
And my fear disappears
Because this evening we'll walk together hand in hand
In front of the people
Don't care about other people's glances
Since we're together
They don't know about anything, they don't belong to this story
which is read to few