Jenni Vartiainen sings about love between two women!

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)