by Aaron Gidney

I know I’m a little bit late with this one – the annual Christmas single from Swedish folk artist, Sofia Talvik…although tech nicely it’s still winter…

Interestingly, the track is about Copenhagen – the capital of Denmark, however, apparently Sofia spent some time in the late nineties studying there – this is a tribute to that time.

The song is a mix of folk and Americana, with banjo and violin adding to the folky Christmas feel. Whilst there’s no sleigh bells on this one, the lyrics are about snow in Copenhagen and the storytelling in the track adds to the personal feel of the track.

The lyrics are sung in both English and Swedish – I must say I actually prefer the lyrics sung in Swedish as they given an otherworldly vibe and sound really ethereal for some reason.

It’s such an understated track which really emphasises the melody and storytelling in the song – nothing overly complicated and everything supports the story. A really beautiful, winter track.

Lyrics

I remember
In 1998
The snow was thick on the streets of Copenhagen
It was quiet
Like the world had gone to sleep
The snow was thick on the streets of Copenhagen

I could have opened doors
I could have let you in
But our chances were
Just too slim

I remember
It was really cold
The streets were thick with snow
In Copenhagen
I was walking
All alone
Through the quiet streets
Of Copenhagen

I could have opened doors
I could have let you in
But my patience had
Grown too slim

So I let it go
A memory of snow
In those quiet streets
Of Copenhagen

Jag låter det dö
Som ett minne av snö
Den försvinner i tö
Vår vintersaga

Jag minns det
Som det var igår
Fast det gått många år
Sen vår vintersaga

Jag kunde öppnat upp
Jag kunde släppt dig in
Men min ensamhet
Den var bara min

Jag låter det dö
Som ett minne av snö
Den försvinner i tö
Vår vintersaga

So I let it go
A memory of snow
In those quiet streets
Of Copenhagen

I remember
In 1998
The snow was thick on the streets of Copenhagen

Music and lyrics by Sofia Talvik
Vocals, guitar, banjo and bass by Sofia Talvik Backing vocals, piano and keyboard by Tom Marsh Violin by Rachel Van Plating
Drums by Sofia Talvik and Tom Marsh
Mixed by Sofia Talvik
Mastered by Jonas Westin
Released by Makaki Music 2021

Online: https://sofiatalvik.com