Performed by Björk and Tagaq with the The Icelandic Choir<… Read Full Bio ↴SONG INFO
Performed by Björk and Tagaq with the The Icelandic Choir
Beats: Rahzel
Bass synth: Mark Bell
Programming: Björk, Valgeir Sigurdsson, Mark Bell
"Obviously the line about Osamas and Bushes was a bad joke. But I guess it's sort of partly true, because it insterests me a lot with western civilization, that someone as passionate as Osama could be such a threat, and it seemed to me at times to be almost passion versus logic. I found it really interesteing that it could be so un-understandable for some people that somebody would do something like that, and how unaware the western civilization were of how annoying they are sometimes -- I'm obviously not justifying what he did. But after that, it just totally took over - it was all about arabs and americans, and if you were pro or against or whatever. It just seems curious to me, where obviously both were right and wrong. It seems like the whole world has been talking about it for the last three years, not only me. All unbelievable people are suddenly interested in politics. And maybe me in the end wanting my music to offer something else, and saying I want to look for a shelter with an altar away from the Osamas and Bushes. And maybe these politicians think that they are 95% of our lives and that we should all just worry about if Bush gets re-elected or not and what's gonna happen to the muslims or whatever. And I think it's about 5% important, and 95% is like... children going to school, the latest breakdancer, people starving and people losing their jobs and people telling awful jokes, and all these other stuff, you know. People in space, and jellyfishes in the ocean having affairs with other jellyfishes. I'm inventing marinal soap operas here, sorry. But there's just a lot of other stuff, and it just got boring after a while. So maybe this record is partly an attept to say "wait a minute, there's other stuff out there you know". That's it." (Björk, XFM 25aug04)
Mouth's Cradle
Björk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That follows me where ever I go
And supports me
This tooth is warmth like
This tooth is warmth like
This tooth is warmth like
These teeth are a ladder that I walk
That you can walk too if you want
If you want up to the mouth
The mouth's cradle
Up to the mouth's cradle
He always has a hope for me
Always sees me when nothin' else
And everyone have left can care
That ghost is brighter than anyone
And fulfills me with hope, those beams assure me
And you can use these teeth as a ladder
Up to the mouth's cradle, the mouth's cradle
And you can follow these notes I'm singing
Up to the mouth's cradle, the mouth's cradle
The simplicity of the ghost-like beast
The purity of what it wants and where it goes
Always love, always loves you, always loves you
Infrared love
And you can use these teeth as a ladder
Up to the mouth's cradle, the mouth's cradle
You can use these teeth follow my voice, tooth by tooth
Up to the mouth's cradle, the mouth's cradle
I need a shelter to build an altar away
From all osamas and bushes
I need a shelter to build an altar away
From all osamas and bushes
The song "Mouth's Cradle" by Björk is a poetic representation of self-care and the role of music as a support system for one's emotional state. The lyrics describe an imaginary creature or ghost that follows the singer wherever she goes, offering her warmth and support when she is feeling lonely and abandoned. This creature is represented by a tooth, which stands for comfort and a sense of being protected. The singer invites her listeners to follow her to the "mouth's cradle", which represents a welcoming and comforting space where they can feel safe and happy.
The image of teeth as a ladder leading up to the mouth's cradle is a reflection of how music can be a support system for people, leading them out of difficult times and towards a better emotional state. This is reinforced by the singer's constant reference to her listeners and how they can follow her lead to find emotional refuge.
The final lines of the song suggest a sense of unease and a need for escape. The singer mentions the need for a shelter and an altar away from the world, a space where she can retreat and be safe from those who wish to harm her. This is yet another example of how the mouth's cradle may represent a safe space for those who need to escape from the harsh realities of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
There is yet another one
There is a ghost like creature that always follows me wherever I go.
That follows me where ever I go
The creature always follows me, no matter where I am.
And supports me
The creature offers me warmth and support.
This tooth is warmth like
A tooth represents warmth and comfort.
These teeth are a ladder up to his mouth
The feeling of being surrounded by teeth is like climbing a ladder to reach the creature's mouth.
That you can walk too if you want
Others can also reach the creature's mouth by using their own teeth as the ladder.
He always has a hope for me
The creature always holds hope for me, no matter what happens.
Always sees me when nothin' else
The creature always sees me, even when no one else does.
And everyone have left can care
Even when everyone else has left, the creature still cares for me.
That ghost is brighter than anyone
The ghost creature shines brighter than anyone else in my life.
And fulfills me with hope, those beams assure me
The creature fills me with hope and assurance through its radiant light.
The simplicity of the ghost-like beast
The creature's simplistic nature makes it ghost-like, but it is still a beast in its own right.
The purity of what it wants and where it goes
The creature is pure in its desires and where it leads.
Always love, always loves you, always loves you
The creature always loves me unconditionally.
Infrared love
The love of the creature is like an infrared beam, invisible but strong.
I need a shelter to build an altar away
I need a safe haven to build an altar, away from the chaos and danger around me.
From all osamas and bushes
Away from all the hidden dangers and obstacles that may keep me from reaching the creature.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bjork Gudmundsdottir
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ned I.
0:56 perfection at its finest ✨
Ein weißes Kaninchen
With headphones: This is maybe the best song on Medulla!
But only with Headphones!
LynxTheWise
Definitely an amazing experience with a good set of phones. The power in these vocals; my goddess!!
Lili Nectar
True!! Eargasm!!