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Björk — New World
Album: Selmasongs
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1058









Released: 2000
Length: 4:15
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Train-whistles, a sweet Clementine
Blueberries, dancers in line
Cobwebs, a bakery sign

Ooooh - a sweet Clementine
Ooooh - dancers in line
Ooooh ...

If living is seeing
I'm holding my breath
In wonder - I wonder
What happens next?
A new world, a new day to see

I'm softly walking on air
Halfway to heaven from here
Sunlight unfolds in my hair

Ooooh - I'm walking on air
Ooooh - to heaven from here
Ooooh ...

If living is seeing
I'm holding my breath
In wonder - I wonder
What happens next?
A new world, a new day to see
Comments (143)add comment
Time to pause the stream for four minutes and 15 seconds

Highly underrated: solid 8 from me
This was such a painful movie to watch (and according to Bjork, to make). Funny how tortured women tend to be the centerpieces of all Lars Von Trier's films. Still, I confess that this one resonated with me...probably because of Bjork's brilliance. 
 Edweirdo wrote:

For those of us who like Bjork but find the taste of coriander utterly disgusting, this is a tricky metaphor.  For me, she's the Marmite of pop flavour.


I'm ambivalent towards both coriander and Marmite but I'm 100% sure Bjork is brilliant.
 madirishman wrote:

That's some real Bond stuff going on there at the end... 

it sounds rather over produced, something the tune didn't require (imo),

That's some real Bond stuff going on there at the end... 
I have a hard time liking Bjork, but she is certainly unique. 
 Akazungu wrote:

Maybe acquired for some, but she had me by the earballs the first time I heard her.



"Earballs" I LOVE that!!!
 Mr_Beanie wrote:
You either love Bjork's sound, soul and energy, or you don't. I for one love this.

I'm not sure why it seems necessary to try to make everything a binary, black-or-white choice.  I like some of her songs and don't care for some others; it's that simple - not 100% love or 100% hate. There are far too many false dichotomies around these days; perhaps it's best not to dream up new ones.
Strong album this 👍
 bseib wrote:


Bjork is the cilantro of pop flavor.

For those of us who like Bjork but find the taste of coriander utterly disgusting, this is a tricky metaphor.  For me, she's the Marmite of pop flavour.
 jhorton wrote:
Her brain's not right. We can all agree on that. But you have to overlook that, 'cause the parts of it that work are light years ahead of everyone else. At least she hasn't cut her ear off. yet.
 
To be honest, I would second that.
BUT: name only only one of (modern) music's geniuses who you would attest to be "right" in his/her brain!!!
Lennon?
Dylan?
Bowie?
McCartney?
...
I love 90% of Björk's stuff, my brain seems not right as well..
I am in awe of brave, wonderful, influential women such as Björk.

 bseib wrote:


Bjork is the cilantro of pop flavor.
 
More like the SÚRSAÐIR HRÚTSPUNGAR 
 Jelani wrote:
 jhorton wrote:
Her brain's not right. We can all agree on that. But you have to overlook that, 'cause the parts of it that work are light years ahead of everyone else. At least she hasn't cut her ear off. yet.
 "Her brain's not not right", No. Her brain is just fine, just not the same as most. And that's what puts her light years ahead...

 
Her brain is not right? What does that mean? She deviates from some agreed "norm"?  Many successful artists have been rather unusual, idiosyncratic or eccentric seekers. Otherwise, they might have lacked the push-pull X factor(s) to raise their level or set them apart.  Charisma, personal power, spirit, obsession, vision.   As a sort of rule, more compelling or eccentric increases influence.  History and culture are loaded with all-timers who were/are not quite "right."  For better and worse, that's often how it works. 
 Akazungu wrote:
 westslope wrote:
...

The woman is an acquired taste but one of few modern geniuses of pop music.


 
Maybe acquired for some, but she had me by the earballs the first time I heard her.
 

Bjork is the cilantro of pop flavor.
 MM13 wrote:
What an embarrasing and pretentious piece of rubbish
 
Was thinking that about your comment
 westslope wrote:
...

The woman is an acquired taste but one of few modern geniuses of pop music.


 
Maybe acquired for some, but she had me by the earballs the first time I heard her.
 jhorton wrote:
Her brain's not right. We can all agree on that. But you have to overlook that, 'cause the parts of it that work are light years ahead of everyone else. At least she hasn't cut her ear off. yet.
 "Her brain's not not right", No. Her brain is just fine, just not the same as most. And that's what puts her light years ahead...

Her brain's not right. We can all agree on that. But you have to overlook that, 'cause the parts of it that work are light years ahead of everyone else. At least she hasn't cut her ear off. yet.
A full cinematic Björchestra!
I forgot about this beautifully melancholy song. Such a fascinating artist. 
She can go over the top so astonishingly well.  Wonderful song!!
 westslope wrote:

 

The woman is an acquired taste but one of few modern geniuses of pop music.



 
Absolutely agree
 MM13 wrote:
What an embarrasing and pretentious piece of rubbish

 
True that.
 MrStatenIsle wrote:
Over-dramatic, absurdly theatrical; it's not even a song.
 
That perception would eliminate more than 1/3 of popular 'classical music'.

 

 

Bombastic either works or it doesn't.

 

The woman is an acquired taste but one of few modern geniuses of pop music.


 Sakkerju wrote:
Both movie and music: Outstanding!

 
{#Yell}   ............ what he said
perfect
Both movie and music: Outstanding!
 Mozart wrote:
Hey, it's OK to compare her to me. I like her music too
 
Hey!  Back to the Zentralfriedhof with you!  (By the way, I like this Bjork.  The kooky stuff is ... well, it's kooky.)
 alanthecowboy wrote:
Why not? He spent his short life making pop music and scandals as well. She's appreciated by many more people than Mozart was while he lived. I may have to rethink this in a couple of hundred years, however...
 
Hey, it's OK to compare her to me. I like her music too
 suesblues wrote:
Much ado about nothing...... I loved Bjork in the Sugarcubes, enjoy her fashion sense, but honestly this song sounds like something out of a bleeding Lars Von Trier film...
 
Sarcasm? Great film with wonderful acting and music by Miss Björk
Much ado about nothing...... I loved Bjork in the Sugarcubes, enjoy her fashion sense, but honestly this song sounds like something out of a bleeding Lars Von Trier film...
 Mr_Beanie wrote:
You either love Bjork's sound, soul and energy, or you don't. I for one love this.
 
I concur.
You either love Bjork's sound, soul and energy, or you don't. I for one love this.
This is easy on the brain. It goes great with a cup of coffee in the morning while I check my email.  9  So soothing I dont' think I noticed the seguey. On top of this an even better transition into the next one, Elton John_Funeral for a Friend_Love Lies.
.

Agreed.
 
Grantus wrote:
Nice segue from Gabriel. This has some of his phrasing and atmosphere. Bjork has her own marvelous sound ranging from deeply etherial to sublimely kooky.
 


I right enjoyed that
I must be getting old , senile or something, this is the first time I haven't switched off a Bjork song.
Almost enjoyable. {#Smile} 
 lawman wrote:
I just did, on Wikipedia (linked from Bjørk's article).  What a bundle of laughs. Hell fire: why do people bother making movies like that?!
 
Yes of course, why bother spending life's short hours wathing movies when you can read the plot overview on wikipedia.
Brilliantly brain-engaging... Next!
 MM13 wrote:
What an embarrasing and pretentious piece of rubbish
 
{#Eek}


Bjork by ~rainyface
Tugba Karatop   ©2008-2010 ~rainyface

Björk Istanbul Kurucesme Arena

August 2008

Felix_The Cat wrote:

What an emotive and epic song...

 
MM13 wrote:
What an embarrasing and pretentious piece of rubbish
 
{#High-five} (?)

What an embarrasing and pretentious piece of rubbish
What an emotive and epic song...
musiclife wrote:
i'll have to check out the movie

I just did, on Wikipedia (linked from Bjørk's article).  What a bundle of laughs. Hell fire: why do people bother making movies like that?!


 musikalia wrote:

If you didn't see the very end of the movie, then you haven't really seen it. The last five minutes were the best part. I cried, so sad.

 

i'll have to check out the movie
Excellent. Same goes for the movie.
KevinM wrote:
I saw Dancer in the Dark the other day (well, as much as I could take).

If you didn't see the very end of the movie, then you haven't really seen it. The last five minutes were the best part. I cried, so sad.

freddyfender wrote:
Enjoy her music if you wish, but please don't compare her to Mozart.
Why not? He spent his short life making pop music and scandals as well. She's appreciated by many more people than Mozart was while he lived. I may have to rethink this in a couple of hundred years, however...
Not my favorite from the Movie, which was excellent by the way. My favorite is I Have Seen It All (duet). A clear 9.
The entire soundtrack to Dancer in the Dark is great! I enjoy this so much... and the orchestra arrangement is fabulous.
Edgy, different, I love it. 7
all this, and duck feathers, too. snaps for originality.
freddyfender wrote:
All of her songs give me the creeps.
Indeed, I love it!
skdenfeld wrote:
Huh? Try telling Mozart his pieces of music were not "songs". It may not be a pop song, but RP isn't only about pop crap. That's what's great about it. Open yer mind, my friend.
Enjoy her music if you wish, but please don't compare her to Mozart.
MrStatenIsle wrote:
Over-dramatic, absurdly theatrical; it's not even a song. Ah. it was from a movie; maybe in that context it works.
Huh? Try telling Mozart his pieces of music were not "songs".
All of her songs give me the creeps.
This sounds like the theme from a 1940's movie...but I don't think Bjork was around then?
Nice segue from Gabriel. This has some of his phrasing and atmosphere. Bjork has her own marvelous sound ranging from deeply etherial to sublimely kooky.
ThePoose wrote:
I would like to be the filling in a Bjork-Sinead sandwich--not so much for the physical attraction I may feel for them, but to be in the midst of the spirit, energy and pure passion they are unafraid to unleash, and echo it back at them. I always thought it truly a tragedy that so many teenage women are squelched from such self-expression and focus instead on prettifying their bodies as a passive action.
I reacted very harshly to a post of yours about Bro' Iz, I thought it sounded heartless..maybe my misinterpretation..forgive me..but this one makes up for that even tho I don't believe it to be completely true..and there are even women who can prettify their bodies and be creative too
Over-dramatic, absurdly theatrical; it's not even a song.
Love The Song...Love the Movie!
I saw Dancer in the Dark the other day (well, as much as I could take). Weird movie, great song.
I love this song. It's very uplifting. I still need to see the movie.
This song has so much POWER. Such a wonderful way to end such an emotionally moving film. Absolutely captivating!!!
eastcoast wrote:
I think Bjork is Sinead's alter ego
I would like to be the filling in such a sandwich--not so much for the physical attraction I may feel, but to be in the midst of the spirit, energy and pure passion they are unafraid to unleash, and echo it back at them.
DigitalJer wrote:
like / dislike, doesn't matter - this girl can SING.
So "can" I. Still doesn't make it right.
I just can't get behind this...it's too gloomy, too depressing, too all over the place. I do like that YouTube clip of Bjork taking out a reporter in Bangkok, though.
excited to hear "volta"...
I think Bjork is Senead's alter ego
krc2000 wrote:
Love this song!
Try it's equal, then: Gloomy Sunday, perhaps more powerful.
Love this song!
Some Bjork I like, some not. This is in the former category!
Another goodie from Bjork
woozurdaddy wrote:
Bjork is the bomb.
WORD!
Sorry RP. Had to jump to another station
Sounds like the title music for a new Bond film or something. Not exactly bad, per se, just... meh.
Bjork: the other white beat.
Wonderfilled New World
I was never one to really listen to Bjork... until now.... while I work :-)
Christo4 wrote:
wonderful song, this song really allows her voice to shine.
I was going to respond incredulously, but now I realize you meant this ironically. Good show!
What do you know. Something from Bjork that I can actually listen to. But I like Kate Bush, Innocence Mission, Tori (mostly), Sinead (mostly). What's up with that?
Björk's music is certainly is more than a one note song. What an amazing spectrum of music! Some songs hard to listen to, others you can't stop; and it's almost all interesting, imo. Glad RP plays across her range--at least somewhat. And yes, she certainly can sing.
DigitalJer wrote:
like / dislike, doesn't matter - this girl can SING.
There's no doubt about that, doubters give her her due dues, please!
He lined this song up right after Peter Gabriels "I Grieve". A song to feel down about something and then a song about hope. Nice touch. Call Battlestar Galactica's Ron Moore up! I think he's got some music for an upcomming episode!
Nothing wrote:
Her music makes me feel something powerfully too - an almost overwhelming feeling of nausea.
I'm probably feeding a troll here, but are you by any chance one of the nihilists so expertly portrayed in "The Big Lebowski"? "We believes in nothing!"
Is this new? I never herd this before :D Great really great
like / dislike, doesn't matter - this girl can SING.
Zane-O wrote:
Bjork is, for me, one of those artists that comes up with these melodies, vocal inflections and chord progressions that just reach inside me and grab me by the soul, much like Tori Amos or Kate Bush. They can be devastatingly haunting and beautiful, downright depressing or catchy as anything you'll hear on pop radio. This song is very much tied to the soundtrack of Dancer in the Dark, so I'll always associate it with that, but it's a great piece of work on its own. The soundtrack, along with the ones from The Wicker Man and Magnolia, is one of the best fitting soundtracks to any film. They are inextricably linked.
The second I heard Björk's voice I knew I could go to the Song Comments and see posts by people about how dreadful she is. But I have to admit, after seeing Dancer In The Dark, that I became a convert! (Click here and read comments on the movie. Such as - "Mixing these intricate, stunning musical sequences in with the 'film proper' is necessarily a new device in the movies, but one rarely explored anymore and provides fascinating, penetrating insight into the central character that might not come through any other way.") The movie is, itself, a bit strange as a musical. But that very strangeness rivited me to the movie. If nothing else, nobody can fault Björk for being an extremely creative and original artist!
Bjork is, for me, one of those artists that comes up with these melodies, vocal inflections and chord progressions that just reach inside me and grab me by the soul, much like Tori Amos or Kate Bush. They can be devastatingly haunting and beautiful, downright depressing or catchy as anything you'll hear on pop radio. This song is very much tied to the soundtrack of Dancer in the Dark, so I'll always associate it with that, but it's a great piece of work on its own. The soundtrack, along with the ones from The Wicker Man and Magnolia, is one of the best fitting soundtracks to any film. They are inextricably linked.
Sorry to say it, but I am one of those people who can't stand Bjork's music, either. It isn't a "don't get it" thing...it is a "don't want it" thing. I have wide tastes, from jazz and classical to classic rock, bluegrass, world beat and beyond - but Bjork just turns me off completely.
JGD wrote:
Yeah - the "rubbish artist" comment guy should just go back to listening to Freebird over and over and over on his local classic rock station.
FREEBIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o)
Yeah - the "rubbish artist" comment guy should just go back to listening to Freebird over and over and over on his local classic rock station.
Nothing wrote:
Bjork is without a doubt the most rubbish artist of all time. She is the audio equivalent of those modern art paintings one sees that are just a stripe of black across a white canvas. Let's face it - she is only famous because of novelty value in where she comes from and because she acts strangely. If she was from Podunc Idaho she would be (appropriately) institutionalised by now.
some people just don't get it. Let me guess, you think Jackson Pollock is a hack too?
Wonderful :)
Her music makes me feel something powerfully too - an almost overwhelming feeling of nausea.
Bjork is without a doubt the most rubbish artist of all time. She is the audio equivalent of those modern art paintings one sees that are just a stripe of black across a white canvas. Let's face it - she is only famous because of novelty value in where she comes from and because she acts strangely. If she was from Podunc Idaho she would be (appropriately) institutionalised by now.
I don't know much of her music, but Bjork fascinates me. She has an amazing composing talent and a voice that grabs you somewhere deep inside. I saw her interviewed by Charlie Rose and couldn't get enough of listening to her talk about her music and her life. What I've heard of her music doesn't make me feel good, but it makes me feel something powerfully. I won't be surprised if she has a long career with many twists and turns. Just something about her makes many people stop and pay attention, even if it isn't always pleasant. Her performance in Dancer in the Dark was one of the most amazing I have ever seen in a film. I don't know if I can recommend it unless you are prepared to be devastated, and I mean completely devastated for a while. She said after making it she will never act again.
Rtschnell wrote:
I saw the film 'Dancer in the Dark', for which this is the soundtrack, in London. The instrumental version of this song was played before anything showed on the screen, in the darkened theater. Only when it finished did the curtains open and the movie begin.
In the Menlo Park, CA theater it had a wonderful fade in/out graphical array during this song. Either way, nice effect, great song and brilliant movie! ("I Grieve" before this song was very appropriate)
brighthue wrote:
BJORKOMANIA!
honeygirl wrote:
Love most of her lyrics... theatrical voice
It's great when she "growls" - basically however I have to admit to a fairly pathetic, teenage type infatuation with her!
Love most of her lyrics... theatrical voice
juliecb wrote:
Thanks for the heads up! I'll avoid that movie at all costs! Who wants to be horrifically depressed?
ok it's a very good movie, or it wouldn't affect me so much, but i warn you - you'll cry for like 3 days after. LOL!
karlaanne wrote:
ok so, i bought selmasongs way before i saw "Dancer in the dark" and loved it, played it to death. knew all the songs by heart. BUT THEN, i saw the movie. and now i can't listen to it at all without getting horrifically depressed. especially this song. had to turn it down or i'd start crying.
Thanks for the heads up! I'll avoid that movie at all costs! Who wants to be horrifically depressed?
ok so, i bought selmasongs way before i saw "Dancer in the dark" and loved it, played it to death. knew all the songs by heart. BUT THEN, i saw the movie. and now i can't listen to it at all without getting horrifically depressed. especially this song. had to turn it down or i'd start crying.
The only Björk song I really like. If only the rest of her work was this hauntingly beautiful.
BJORKOMANIA!
very nice, there's no doubt B-whatever is very talented, but her integrity does get in the way of mass appeal. I like most of what I've heard. Not ready to call her genius.
One of her better tunes... that's a 6.
rah wrote:
i can't vouch for this particular song, but i know that she's arranged and orchestrated most of her past albums herself.
If true, she certainly exhibits loads of talent in that department, which may be a direction her career takes in later years -- to the benefit of future artists. Such a career could keep her well and safely away from the microphone.
pdjpirate wrote:
Does anyone know who does her arrangements and orchestrations? As much as I try to not like Bjork (she is just too weird and withdrawn for me), I can not help that I am drawn in by just about every song she does. And by the way, the movie "Dancer in the Dark", albeit weird, good flick. The point about context is a very good one, the song has more impact then.
i can't vouch for this particular song, but i know that she's arranged and orchestrated most of her past albums herself.
Aardvark wrote:
There is also a great version of this song with Massive Attack.
I just switched my computer on and heard some of the notes and immediately thought "Massive Attack". Yet to my surprise, the vocal kicked in and I was amazed to find this was Bjork. A pleasant surprise indeed
My husband and I saw Dancer in the Dark in Santiago, Chile on our honeymoon while perusing English lang TV. I think it is the strangest movie I have ever seen. Every time Bjork started singing, we would start laughing. Not that she wasn't attempting a serious rendition at an unusual plotline, but the combination of us being abroad in that situation and Bjork's unconventional singing style (not to mention the dances she went into) just didn't get me to follow the film in the way it was meant to be. But, we did watch the whole thing, so it at least got our attention....
There is also a great version of this song with Massive Attack.
Quite possibly the strangest movie I have ever set eyes on. Interesting, but the musical break downs just make it a strange expierence. I can't say as though I really liked it much tho. AO
Does anyone know who does her arrangements and orchestrations? As much as I try to not like Bjork (she is just too weird and withdrawn for me), I can not help that I am drawn in by just about every song she does. And by the way, the movie "Dancer in the Dark", albeit weird, good flick. The point about context is a very good one, the song has more impact then.
If you have ever seen Dancer in the Dark, you know that this song is a mind blower, in context. If you haven't seen the movie, maybe it's just an 8 or 9. I have never given a 10 to any song on RP, but this is the first and may never happen again.
I really like her lyrics, but I wish someone else would sing 'em... I'm sorry, but I think I'd have to be high to into her (musically).