5 Years
Bjork Lyrics
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Well I've got plenty
You're the one who's missing out
But you won't notice
'Til after five years
If you'll live that long
You'll wake up
I dare you
To take me on
I dare you
To show me your palms
I'm so bored with cowards
That say they want
Then they can't handle
You can't handle love
You can't handle love
You just can't handle
I dare you
To take me on
I dare you
To show me your palms
What's so scary
Not a threat in sight
You just can't handle
You can't handle love
You can't handle love, baby
You can't handle love
It's obvious
You can't handle
I dare you
To take me on
I dare you
To show me your palms
I'm so bored of cowards
That say they want
Then they can't handle
You can't handle love, baby
You can't handle love
It's obvious
You can't handle
I dare you, I dare you
I dare you, I dare you
Björk's song "5 Years" is a challenge to a partner or lover who is hesitant to fully commit to the relationship. She addresses this person and claims that they are denying her of something, but that she has plenty of love to offer. She goes on to state that the person is the one missing out because they cannot handle the intensity of love, and will not recognize this until five years later when they wake up "loveless."
In the chorus, Björk dares the person to take her on and show her their palms, suggesting that they are hiding something or holding back. She becomes frustrated with "cowards" who claim to want love but cannot handle it when it is presented to them. The repetition of the phrase "You can't handle love" emphasizes the central theme of the song.
Throughout the song, Björk's vocal performance is intense and the instrumentation is powerful, conveying the strength and passion of her message. The song can be seen as a feminist anthem, with Björk challenging societal expectations of women as meek and submissive in romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
You think you're denying me of something
You believe you are preventing me from having or achieving something
Well I've got plenty
However, I have an abundance of what I need, value or desire
You're the one who's missing out
It is you who is losing by denying me of something
But you won't notice
You won't realize or appreciate the losses caused by your actions
'Til after five years
Not until half a decade when the situation becomes clear and evident
If you'll live that long
If you are fortunate enough to survive that long
You'll wake up
You will become aware or conscious of a crucial fact
All loveless
Realizing that you are without love, warmth or affection
I dare you
I challenge you, I provoke you to take action
To take me on
To confront or challenge me
To show me your palms
To reveal your true intentions or innocence, to come clean or be honest
I'm so bored with cowards
I am very tired of timid, spineless people
That say they want
Who express a desire or wish for something
Then they can't handle
But then can't cope, manage or sustain the thing that they wanted
You can't handle love
You are unable to manage, appreciate or reciprocate love
You just can't handle
It's not only love that you can't handle, but something more fundamental about yourself
What's so scary
What is causing you to be so fearful or hesitant
Not a threat in sight
There is no danger or harm imminent
You just can't handle
You are simply not capable of responding to the situation with grace or courage
You can't handle love, baby
Once again, you are unable to manage, appreciate or reciprocate love
It's obvious
It should be clear or apparent to anyone observing the situation
I dare you, I dare you
As a final challenge, I urge and demand that you take action
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bjork Gudmundsdottir
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind