Throughout the song, there is a repeated refrain that "it's not meant to be a strife, it's not meant to be a struggle uphill", indicating that the protagonist is experiencing some sort of difficulty or conflict.
In the verses, she sings about trying too hard and encouraging the listener to surrender and give in to the situation they find themselves in. The line "It's warmer now, lean into it, unfold" seems to suggest that the protagonist is being encouraged to loosen up and let go of their resistance.
The bridge of the song indicates that there is a desire to be in a "generous mode" and to share oneself with others. This could indicate a desire for deeper connections and a willingness to be vulnerable.
The repeated refrain of "undo" at the end of the song could suggest that the protagonist is trying to undo some sort of mistake or action that they have taken. The use of the word "unravel" at the end of the song could indicate a desire to let go and unravel any remaining tension or resistance within oneself.
Undo
Björk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
You're trying too hard
Surrender
You're trying too hard
You're trying too hard
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
Sweetly
It's not meant to be a strife
To enjoy
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
It's warmer now lean into it
Unfold in a generous way
Surrender
Surrender
Undo
Undo
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
I'm praying
To be
In a generous mode
The kindness kind
The kindness kind
To share me
Quietly ecstatic
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
Undo
Undo if you're bleeding
Undo if you're sweating
Undo if you're crying
Undo
Undo
The song, “Undo,” by Björk reflects on the idea of surrendering oneself and letting go of control. The lyrics convey that life is not meant to be a constant struggle or strife, but a journey of enjoyment and discovery. The message of the song is to urge the listener to step away from the stresses and pressures of life, and to simply let go, and undo themselves. Björk describes the feeling of warmth and the need to embrace it, to lean into it and to unfold oneself in generosity. She encourages the listener to be kind, to share oneself quietly and to surrender to the beauty of life, to “Undo.”
The song is a beautiful reflection of Björk’s unique and ethereal style, with the music itself almost mirroring the underlying message of the lyrics. The song begins slowly, building a sense of tension and struggle, but as the lyrics encourage surrender and letting go, the music becomes freer and less restrained, filled with warmer and more positive tones. As the song comes to an end, it winds down, with a peaceful and calming sense of surrender.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not meant to be a strife
Life is not supposed to be a constant struggle
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
Life is also not meant to be difficult all the time
You're trying too hard
You're exerting too much effort
Surrender
Let go of control
Give yourself in
Allow yourself to go with the flow
Sweetly
Gently and pleasantly, without force
To enjoy
Savor each moment
It's warmer now lean into it
Things are becoming easier, embrace it
Unfold in a generous way
Be open-hearted and giving
Undo
Let go of the past
I'm praying
I hope
To be
To exist
In a generous mode
With a mindset of giving
The kindness kind
Being kind to oneself and others
To share me
To give of oneself
Quietly ecstatic
Peacefully joyful
Undo if you're bleeding
Release if you've been hurt
Undo if you're sweating
Stop if you're over-exerting
Undo if you're crying
Let go of negative emotions
Undo
Start over, reset
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BJORK GUDMUNDSDOTTIR, THOMAS KNAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ecaterina6035
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
You're trying too hard
Surrender
Give yourself in
You're trying too hard
You're trying too hard
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
Sweetly
It's not meant to be a strife
To enjoy
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
It's warmer now lean into it
Unfold in a generous way
Surrender
Surrender
Undo
Undo
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
I'm praying
To be
In a generous mode
The kindness kind
The kindness kind
To share me
Quietly ecstatic
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
Undo
Undo if you're bleeding
Undo if you're sweating
Undo if you're crying
Undo
Undo
@CatloafCreative
One of the best songs for life advice. It's a cure for self sabotage.
@arialisestrellaartistry
Thank you for ur words
@EdwardOberon
True
@romainmorin6622
Preach 👏🏽
@eveningoflight
I wanted to say "I'm trying to learn", which only indicates that I need to listen again instead.
@yasemingokbilen8828
Couldn't say it better
@meowmew444
I'm not even sure why but the choir at the end always makes me cry my eyes out. I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard.
@brodysorrell9769
Same, It’s like heaven to me.
@timnicktion9744
Because it is the most beautiful thing you've ever heard !
@Euroviking86
This is one of those songs I can only describe as "soul-healing".