The music of the children’s-book author Thorbjørn Egner—a Norwegian analogue to Dr. Seuss, Björk said—partly inspired the merry woodwinds on tracks such as “Fungal City.” But Björk wanted her sextet of clarinetists to do an “adult” and “erotic” take on that style befitting the intimacy of her lyrics.
Such lyrics may make listeners curious about who she is dating, but Björk is keeping that info quiet. When she became a celebrity in the ’90s, “there were moments where I went with the flow and overshared. And I learned very quickly, nobody’s happy. The press, they don’t get what they want. You don’t get what you want. The person you love, they’re fucked up.” But now, “I’ve learned where I can be very, very vulnerable in sharing, like a lot of these lyrics already are,” she said. “But I choose the sentences well.”
Fungal City
Björk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Carve the forest floor
We walk on this sunken mystery
Trunks bursting through the moss from
Should I soften the blow of life on him?
Cottonwool cocoon him?
His vibrant optimism happens to be my faith too
His body calligraphs the space above my bed
Horizontal signature on my skin
I'm in rapture, ooh (I'm in rapture, I'm in rapture, I'm in rapture)
Perfumed velvet darkness
Should I soften the blow of life on him?
Should I soften the blow of life on him?
Cottonwool cocoon him?
His capacity for love is enormous
His celebrational intelligence is ridiculous
His capacity for love encourages me to have (for love)
Capacity for love (is enormous, yeah yeah)
This vitality repolarizes me
My north-south shifts to east-west
Capacity for love, for love (for love)
Capacity for love (for love)
Capacity for love (love, for love)
Capacity for love (for love, for love)
Capacity for love (capacity for)
Capacity for love, love (oh yes)
In "Fungal City," Björk explores the transformative power of love and its ability to shift perspectives and bring joy to life. The song begins with the imagery of a fungal city, a hidden world beneath the surface, symbolizing the depth and complexity of human emotions and relationships. As the forest floor is carved and trunks burst through the moss, it represents the emergence of love and its impact on the singer's life.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of protecting and sheltering the beloved. The singer ponders whether to soften the harsh realities of life for their partner, to cocoon them in cottonwool. This reveals a sense of care and concern, wanting to shield their loved one from the difficulties they may face.
The second verse delves deeper into the singer's admiration for their partner. His capacity for love is described as enormous, and his vibrant optimism aligns with the singer's faith. His presence and love are likened to calligraphy, leaving an indelible mark on the singer's life. The description of being in rapture and the perfumed velvet darkness conveys a sense of ecstasy and intoxication that love brings.
Line by Line Meaning
Fungal city, subterranean
A city that exists underground, hidden from sight
Carve the forest floor
Creating pathways and markings on the ground covered in plants and trees
We walk on this sunken mystery
We explore and navigate this hidden and unknown world
Trunks bursting through the moss from
Tree trunks forcefully emerging through the thick layer of moss
Should I soften the blow of life on him?
Is it necessary for me to protect him from life's hardships?
Cottonwool cocoon him?
Should I create a safe and sheltered space for him?
His capacity for love is enormous
He has an incredibly large ability to love
His vibrant optimism happens to be my faith too
His contagious positive outlook on life aligns with my own beliefs
His body calligraphs the space above my bed
His presence and movements create beautiful patterns in the air above my bed
Horizontal signature on my skin
Leaving a distinctive mark on my body as a symbol of our connection
I'm in rapture, ooh (I'm in rapture, I'm in rapture, I'm in rapture)
I am overwhelmed by intense joy and ecstasy
Perfumed velvet darkness
A comforting and sensual experience of being in a darkened space
This vitality repolarizes me
His energy and liveliness rejuvenate and realign my own energy
My north-south shifts to east-west
My perspective and direction in life undergo a significant change
Capacity for love, for love (for love)
Having a large capability for experiencing and giving love
Capacity for love (for love)
Having the ability to deeply love and be loved
Capacity for love (love, for love)
The immense capacity to express and receive love
Capacity for love (for love, for love)
The ability to fully embrace and embody love
Capacity for love (capacity for)
The potential to hold a tremendous amount of love within oneself
Capacity for love, love (oh yes)
The powerful and undeniable presence of love
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bjork Guomundsdottir
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind