It’s Not Up To You
Bjork Lyrics


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I wake up
And the day feels broken
I tilt my head
I'm trying to get an angle

'Cause the evening
I've always longed for
It could still happen

How do I master
The perfect day
Six glasses of water
Seven phone calls

If you leave it alone
It might just happen
Anyway

It's not up to you
Oh, it never really was
It's not up to you
Oh, it never really was
It's not up to you
Well, it never really was
It's not up to you

If you wake up
And the day feels a-broken
Just lean into the crack
And it will tremble ever so nicely
Notice
How it sparkles
Down there

I can decide what I give
But it's not up to me
What I get given

Unthinkable surprises
About to happen
But what they are

It's not up to you
Well, it never really was
It's not up to you
Oh, it never really was
It's not up to you
Oh, it never really was
It's not up to you
It's not up to you
It's not up to you
It's not up to you
It's not up to you

There is too much
Clinging
To peak




There is too much
Pressure

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Björk’s song “ItsNotUpToYou” speak to a sense of detachment from control over one’s life, emphasizing the point that things don’t always work out the way we plan or hope, and that it’s not always up to us. The song seems to express a kind of acceptance of this uncertainty, and an embracing of the present moment. The singer of the song wakes up feeling broken, and is trying to find a way to make the day feel perfect. This desire for control is evident in the line “How do I master the perfect day?” which is then followed by mundane tasks like drinking water and making phone calls.


Despite the singer’s efforts, they acknowledge that sometimes things happen despite our plans or desires, and that it’s not up to us to control the future. This theme is repeated throughout the song, with the refrain “It’s not up to you, it never really was.” The singer urges the listener to embrace the present moment, even if it feels broken or imperfect. The line “Just lean into the crack, and it will tremble ever so nicely” suggests that there is beauty to be found in the imperfections and cracks of life. The song ends with the repeated phrase “There is too much clinging to peak, there is too much pressure” which could represent the societal pressure to strive for perfection and control, rather than accepting the unpredictable nature of life.


Overall, “ItsNotUpToYou” seems to be a meditation on the beauty and mystery of life, and the acceptance of the unknown.


Line by Line Meaning

I wake up
I begin my day


And the day feels broken
But my day doesn't feel right


I tilt my head
I try to change my perspective


I'm trying to get an angle
To see if I can find a better angle


'Cause the evening
Because the evening to come


I've always longed for
Is one I have always desired


It could still happen
It may still come to pass


How do I master
How can I perfect


The perfect day
My ideal day


Six glasses of water
Drink six glasses of water


Seven phone calls
Make seven phone calls


If you leave it alone
Sometimes, if you don't force it


It might just happen
Things can still happen on their own


Anyway
Regardless


It's not up to you
But ultimately, it's not up to you


Oh, it never really was
Regardless of what you do


Well, it never really was
It never really was within your control


If you wake up
In case you wake up


And the day feels a-broken
And the day just doesn't feel right


Just lean into the crack
Lean into the discomfort


And it will tremble ever so nicely
And it will eventually resolve itself


Notice
Pay attention


How it sparkles
And notice how it shines


Down there
Underneath the surface


I can decide what I give
I can decide what I can offer


But it's not up to me
But whether it is accepted or not


What I get given
Is ultimately not up to me


Unthinkable surprises
Unexpected things


About to happen
Are about to occur


But what they are
But what they may be


There is too much
There is an excessive amount


Clinging
Holding on too tightly


To peak
To the highest point


There is too much
There is an excessive amount


Pressure
Of wanting to achieve




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BJORK GUDMUNDSDOTTIR

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

@alexandram230

I wake up
And the day feels
Broken
I tilt my head
I'm trying to get an angle
'Cause the evening
I've always longed for
It could still happen

How do I master
The perfect day
Six glasses of water
Seven phonecalls

If you leave it alone
It might just happen
Anyway

It's not up to you
Oh it never really was
It's not up to you
Oh it never really was
It's not up to you
Well it never really was
It's not up to you

If you wake up
And the day feels
Ah broken
Just lean into the crack
(Just lean into the crack)
And it will tremble
Ever so nicely
Notice
How it sparkles
Down there

I can decide
What I give
But it's not up to me
What I get given
Unthinkable surprises
About to happen
But what they are

It's not up to you
Well it never really was
It's not up to you
Oh it never really was
It's not up to you
Oh it never really was
It's not up to you
Oh, me, share
It's not up to you
It's not up to you
Oh, it never really was
It's not up to you
Well, it never really was
It's not up to you
It's not up to you
It's not up to you
It's not up to you

There's too much
Clinging
To peak
There's too much
Pressure



@Roxycaekz

I can decide
What I give
But it's not up to me
What I get given
Unthinkable surprises
About to happen
But what they are
It's not up to you
Well it never really was
It's not up to you
Oh it never really was
It's not up to you
Oh it never really was
It's not up to you
Oh, me, share
It's not up to you
It's not up to you



All comments from YouTube:

@afterglow9946

This song has the most gorgeous chorus i've ever heard

@javarisjamarjavarisonlamar7517

Straight chills

@HelloXiuXiu

Best. Best.

@quasimotoz

yes this chorus is delicious

@lavendergilly5843

This song turns depression into something pragmatic, artistic, and kind.

@Destiny-Kooki

Best explanation

@TheRzarectah

Still not sure why this woman is not considered one of the greatest musical artists of the 20th century

@richposports7030

Who says she isn't in many quarters?!!

@aFoxyFox.

She is extremely recognized, or was for around 2 decades at least.

@louiez.9748

Always avant-garde!
I love her.

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