Acc… Read Full Bio ↴Charlene was released in 1995 as a b-side to the Isobel single.
According to Björk, the song was inspired by her friend, Kadamba Simmons.
Charlene
Björk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're either absolutely mad or you are joking Charlene
Charlene I'm crying so close to you darling
Were naked and laughing
You shine on my battery Charlene
(Charlene, Charlene, Charlene, Charlene)
Now would you please be very, very rude to them Charlene
Charlene I'm crying so close to you darling
Were naked and laughing
You shine on my battery Charlene
Let me get you out of that lady Charlene
Your dress is red and oh so slippery Charlene
I guess I have to dry you
Dress you and comb you
You're already late
I'll sort you out
Charlene I'm crying so close to you darling
Were naked and laughing
You shine on my battery Charlene
(Charlene, Charlene, Charlene, Charlene)
The lyrics to Björk's song Charlene speak to a close and intimate relationship between two women, with the singer expressing concern and adoration for her companion, Charlene. At the beginning of the song, it is unclear what kind of situation Charlene has gotten herself into, but the singer's use of the phrase "fine mess" suggests that Charlene has encountered some kind of trouble or misfortune. The singer then asks Charlene if she is either "absolutely mad or ... joking," which could be interpreted as either genuine concern for Charlene's well-being or a playful jab at her friend's dramatic tendencies.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses her affection for Charlene, praising her "witty mouth" and expressing a desire for her to be "very, very rude" to others. The lyrics are infused with a sense of intimacy and physical closeness, with Charlene and the singer being "naked and laughing" in one verse. The repeating refrain of "You shine on my battery Charlene" adds to the sense of connection between the two women, with Charlene providing a kind of energy or spark to the singer's life.
Overall, the lyrics to Charlene paint a picture of a deep and meaningful bond between two women, with the singer expressing love, concern, and admiration for her friend.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got yourself in a fine mess there Charlene
You have gotten yourself into quite the predicament, Charlene.
You're either absolutely mad or you are joking Charlene
Charlene, I cannot determine whether you are serious or not; you may be out of your mind.
Charlene I'm crying so close to you darling
Darling Charlene, I am crying so near to you.
Were naked and laughing
As we are bare and happy.
You shine on my battery Charlene
Charlene, you invigorate me.
(Charlene, Charlene, Charlene, Charlene)
(Repeated chorus)
I have always adored your witty mouth Charlene
Charlene, I have always admired your quick sense of humor.
Now would you please be very, very rude to them Charlene
Charlene, would you please be excessively impolite to them?
Let me get you out of that lady Charlene
Charlene, allow me to help you escape that woman.
Your dress is red and oh so slippery Charlene
Charlene, your garment is red and quite slick.
I guess I have to dry you
I estimate that I must dry you off.
Dress you and comb you
I must put clothing on you and brush your hair.
You're already late
You are already behind schedule.
I'll sort you out
I'll get you organized.
Charlene I'm crying so close to you darling
Darling Charlene, I am crying so near to you.
Were naked and laughing
As we are bare and happy.
You shine on my battery Charlene
Charlene, you invigorate me.
(Charlene, Charlene, Charlene, Charlene)
(Repeated chorus)
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BJORK GUDMUNDSDOTTIR, KEN DOWNIE, EDWARD HANDLEY, ANDREW PETER TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ryancharlesramer7145
Love the bottle cork opening-- what a great "moment" before the beat comes back in
@plushannah
Yes!
@splinterborn
Her b-sides are actually great songs, they destroy modern music. Bjork is a legend. Even her latest album Utopia is great.
@scottyunitedboy2925
Björk is one of the few artists whose B-sides can rival the A-sides in terms of quality- Charlene, Nature Is Ancient and Amphibian are examples
@creditbrunch
amphibian is AMAZING.... so beautiful the layers and not discordant like her new stuff...
@kovuqui
just love getting off work, playing her as soon as i get in my room, and pack me a sweet bowl of green as her voice enhances my relaxation.
@FunnaSH1T
so real
@youngthug7815
So real bro Life is good
@RetroPlus
Bjork has so much obscure music like this, you can be a bjork fan for years and still never know about all the B sides
@trinitrojack
You're either absolutely mad or you are joking - Charlene. Absolutely fundamental. If you can't appreciate this, you're missing so much.