Mutual Core
Björk Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I shuffle around
The tectonic plates in my chest
You know I gave it all
Trying to match our continents
To change seasonal shift
To form a mutual core

As fast as your fingernail grows
The Atlantic ridge drifts
To counteract distance
You know I gave it all
Can you hear the effort
Of the magnetic strife
Shuffling of columns
To form a mutual core

This eruption undoes stagnation
You didn't know that I had it in me
Withheld your love, an unspent capsule
I didn't know you had it in you
You hid the key to our continuity
I didn't know you had it in you
This eruption undoes stagnation
You didn't know, you didn't know

What you resist persists
Nuance makes heat
To counteract distance
I know you gave it all
Offered me harmony
If things were done your way
My Eurasian plate subsumed
Forming a mutual core

This eruption undoes stagnation
You didn't know I had it in me
Withheld your love, an unspent capsule
I didn't know you had it in you

This eruption undoes stagnation
You didn't know I had it in me




This eruption undoes stagnation
You didn't know, you didn't know

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Björk's song Mutual Core use geological terms as metaphors to illustrate the tumultuous nature of a relationship. She compares the movement of tectonic plates in the earth's crust to the shifting emotions and efforts required to maintain a romantic connection. The lines "You know I gave it all / Trying to match our continents" and "To change seasonal shift / To form a mutual core" emphasize the intense effort needed to keep a relationship strong and stable.


Björk references the constant motion of the earth's crust with lines such as "As fast as your fingernail grows / The Atlantic ridge drifts" and "Shuffling of columns / To form a mutual core". These lines describe the constant movement and adjustments required to achieve a solid foundation, both literally and figuratively. The word "eruption" is used several times in the song, which could suggest a sudden release of tension, either positive or negative.


Ultimately, the song suggests that a mutual effort is required to maintain a strong relationship. The lines "You hid the key to our continuity / I didn't know you had it in you" and "Offered me harmony / If things were done your way" demonstrate that both parties must be willing to compromise and work together to achieve a "mutual core".


Line by Line Meaning

I shuffle around
I am restless and constantly moving


The tectonic plates in my chest
My heart feels like it is undergoing earthquakes and movement


You know I gave it all
I have put my full effort into trying to make our relationship work


Trying to match our continents
I am attempting to align our lives and goals together


To change seasonal shift
I want to shift our patterns and habits to better suit our relationship


To form a mutual core
To create a strong, unified foundation for us to build our relationship on


As fast as your fingernail grows
The pace at which things are changing and evolving seems slow, but in reality it is constant


The Atlantic ridge drifts
The distance between us continues to grow


To counteract distance
We are both making efforts to lessen the physical and emotional distance between us


Can you hear the effort
We are both struggling to maintain our connection and communication


Of the magnetic strife
The emotional tension between us is palpable


Shuffling of columns
We are attempting to reposition our priorities and values to better align with each other


This eruption undoes stagnation
Our explosive fight has broken through the stagnant state of our relationship


You didn't know that I had it in me
You were surprised by my intensity and passion during our fight


Withheld your love, an unspent capsule
You have been holding back your love and affection, which has been hindering our relationship


I didn't know you had it in you
I was surprised by your emotional response and fierce fighting spirit


You hid the key to our continuity
You have been withholding the answers and solutions necessary for our relationship to thrive


What you resist persists
If you continue to resist change and growth, the issues in our relationship will persist


Nuance makes heat
The small details and intricacies in our relationship are what cause tension and friction


Offered me harmony
You have tried to find a compromise and solution to our issues


If things were done your way
You believe that if I listened to your opinions and suggestions, we would be better off


My Eurasian plate subsumed
I am willing to change and conform to better align with you and our relationship


Forming a mutual core
We are working towards a strong and unified foundation for our relationship


You didn't know, you didn't know
You were unaware of the depth and complexity of our issues and my true feelings




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bjork Gudmundsdottir

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@onetoomusic

I shuffle around
The tectonic plates in my chest
You know I gave it all
Trying to match our continents
To change seasonal shift
To form a mutual core
As fast as your fingernail grows
The Atlantic ridge drifts
To counteract distance
You know I gave it all
Can you hear the effort
Of the magnetic strife
Shuffling of columns
To form a mutual core
This eruption undoes stagnation
You didn't know that I had it in me
Withheld your love, an unspent capsule
I didn't know you had it in you
You hid the key to our continuity
I didn't know you had it in you
This eruption undoes stagnation
You didn't know, you didn't know
What you resist persists
Nuance makes heat
To counteract distance
I know you gave it all
Offered me harmony
If things were done your way
My Eurasian plate subsumed
Forming a mutual core
This eruption undoes stagnation
You didn't know I had it in me
Withheld your love, an unspent capsule
I didn't know you had it in you
This eruption undoes stagnation
You didn't know I had it in me
This eruption undoes stagnation
You didn't know, you didn't know



All comments from YouTube:

@ZedFable

Bjork’s Doctor: so how long have you been geologically active?

@saltalgilmour9745

That wouldnt be a doctor but a vulcanologist!

@alvarosalandy7969

Correct

@williamhassell5589

Great diagnosis...

@TheMrdrozda

Never seen such a quality!!!))) Best

@anykeyh

@@saltalgilmour9745 My petit vulcan, your eruption and disasters, I keep calm, admiring your lava

5 More Replies...

@ButterMuttSquash

I wish Bjork was my geology teacher.

@kiss4god

LOL

@GabbyPotter

TRUEEEEE

@honeyyoonie355

It’s the second-to-last week of uni, everyone’s stressed af because of exam season approaching, and you walk into AP biology onto to see your biology teacher standing in a tub of sand holding some rocks.

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