4 Björk Songs That Are Helping Me Get Through Quarantine
So much has been going on in my mind since Steven and I quarantined ourselves 27 days ago. From the obvious feelings of fear and paranoia that come with the news of the virus, and frustration that we had to cancel our trip to Hawai’i with family, to the more nuanced feelings of boredom and captivity, and the need for inspiring settings like parks, museums and galleries. So in order to keep stimulated, I have been filling my time studying art history, design and fashion. And of any artist I’ve ever followed, the one who gets me the most inspired to learn and create is Icelandic songstress Björk. Featuring her powerhouse voice, symbolic lyrics, and a complex rage of emotions expressed by a swelling orchestra and finesse for electronica, here are the 4 Björk songs that are helping me get though all of the complex feelings of being in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Possibly, Maybe (1995)
Whenever I’m feeling restless, bored, or impatient, I listen to “Possibly Maybe.” Its lyrics and music video perfectly break down the feeling of uncertainty. This song from her 1995 album Post, describes the flightiness of her relationship with her at-the-time boyfriend Stéphane Sednaoui. And although she expresses that the uncertainty is part of what keeps the relationship exciting, the feeling I take away from this song is one of loneliness and a loss of control. I use it as a reminder that during these uncertain times, most people are feeling as nervous and frustrated as me.
And the imagery in the video reminds me a lot of the current quarantine situation. Assessing that the metaphorical ball is in her lover’s court, she keeps herself busy in her home as she awaits his next move. She takes a bath, eats watermelon while thinking of him, makes herself pretty, and plays with sand and toys while the phones around her bedroom taunt her. As we wait for each new development in this pandemic, it feels like I am always dreading the next set of bad news or instructions. But listening to this song and watching its music video is a constant reminder that I am not going through any of these emotions alone.
Stonemilker (2015)
I am extremely lucky that I live with a funny, sweet and all-around pleasant guy like Steven. If not for his good spirits, I am not sure how I’d be fairing during quarantine. But still, not being around people other than each other day after day can still feel isolating. There are moments when I feel stir-crazy, missing the energy of being in the bustling streets of the city. And even though I now have all the time in the world for creative endeavors, it many times is difficult to get inspired when I’m stuck in one place.
That’s where Björk’s music video for “Stonemilker” comes in. This beautiful song about the difficulties of getting someone to reveal their genuine emotions around you is partnered with a music video of Björk dancing alone on the Icelandic beach where she originally wrote it. What makes the video unique is its use of 360° filming techniques - allowing her to move around the camera, capturing the entirety of the setting. But of course, with 360° filming, the director and film crew can’t be present, so they hid behind rocks during all of her takes, making for what feels like a judgement-free performance. Being basically all alone for the entirety of the performance, she really tastes the scenery and fully emotes each nuance of the lyrics. For me, it’s a reminder that aloneness can pave a clear path for inspiration.
Hyperballad (1995)
Whenever I get overwhelmed by my overthinking, my favorite Björk song of all time, “Hyperballad” comes in handy. The lyrics depict Björk and her lover living on the top of a mountain, which she stands on the cliff of, throwing objects down below to extinguish some of the dark thoughts going through her mind. The idea is that she wants to get those unappealing thoughts out of the way so that she can be pleasant and relaxed around her loved one. And while of course it’s always good to have a partner who will hear you out even in the most unpleasant of times, there is truth to the message that it’s important to have alone time to make peace with your own mind and maintain your own sense of self. And I think that this sentiment applies to this quarantine period, as so much of our identity is based upon our relationships or our social standings, and this time allows us to sit with our own thoughts and senses of self - for better or worse.
Moon (2011)
The song “Moon” is actually a new discovery of mine. The 2011 album Biophilia is admittedly the Björk album that I’m the least familiar with. But while watching a playlist of her music videos on YouTube, I came across this video where she’s shown covered and surrounded by imagery of the phases of the moon as she sings against the sound of four different harp sequences. The four repeating sequences are meant to represent the lunar cycle and the idea that when it’s over, it immediately begins again. These symbolize rebirth and renewal which constantly takes place all around us. The discovery of this song has been a calming reminder whenever I feel hopeless over the situation, that all phases come to an end, and that renewal is on the horizon. Being stuck at home, hearing about all of the damage this virus has caused and watching everyone’s lives drastically change makes this process feel longer and longer - like it may never end. But like all things, this virus has an end date. And when we come out of quarantine, we can take what we’ve learned and use it to better appreciate our health, our relationships, our jobs and our freedoms.
As life hands us all the complex emotions of this event that no one expected or has ever experienced before, I am so glad that there are artists like Björk who can keep us inspired and motivated via a creative medium. I encourage anyone who is looking for thoughtful music during the crisis to give these songs a listen, or look into discovering/rediscovering artists who can help encourage them to find ways to thrive and be positive during the most negative of times. Until we meet again!