Next To Last Song
Bjork Lyrics
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And now it's nothing to fear
Oooh, I should have known
Oooh, I was never alone
This isn't the last song
There is no violin
The choir is so quiet
This is the next-to-last song
And that's all, all
Remember what I have said
Remember, wrap up the bread
Do this, do that, make your bed
This isn't the last song
There is no violin
The choir is quiet
And no-one takes a spin
This is the next-to-last song
And that's all ...
The lyrics of "Next To Last Song" are a nostalgic reflection on the inevitability of endings and the passing of time. Björk addresses someone named Gene, which could be a reference to the theoretical physicist Gene Ray, whose work inspired the concept of time cube – a controversial claim that time is simultaneously happening in four separate days. Perhaps Björk is alluding to the idea that even though time may be perceived differently by different people, everyone will eventually come to their next-to-last moment.
The opening lines suggest that Gene's presence brings comfort and reassurance to Björk. As the song progresses, Björk sings, "This isn't the last song," which creates a tone of finality and acceptance of endings. There is no violin or spinning, and the choir is quiet, creating a stark and melancholic atmosphere. The repetition of the phrase, "this is the next-to-last song," reinforces the song's theme of finality and serves as a reminder to cherish what is left.
Björk concludes the song by telling the listener to "remember what I have said," highlighting the importance of remembering and preserving memories. The reference to wrapping bread and making the bed could be interpreted as mundane tasks that take on a deeper meaning when performed with care and attention, perhaps serving as a metaphor for appreciating life's simple moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear Gene, of course you are here
Addressing someone named Gene, Björk acknowledges their presence in the moment
And now it's nothing to fear
With Gene there, Björk feels calm and unafraid
Oooh, I should have known
Björk realizes that Gene's presence was to be expected
Oooh, I was never alone
Björk had been with Gene all along
This isn't the last song
The current song isn't the last one in the setlist
There is no violin
The song doesn't feature a violin instrument
The choir is so quiet
The choir singing in the song is subdued
And no-one takes a spin
No one dancing or spinning around during this song
This is the next-to-last song
Björk is informing the audience that they're almost done with their setlist
And that's all, all
The setlist only has one more song left after this one
Remember what I have said
Björk is reminding Gene to recall previous conversation
Remember, wrap up the bread
She specifically reminds Gene to wrap the bread up
Do this, do that, make your bed
Björk could be giving Gene more instructions or reminding them to be organized
Contributed by Layla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Danita Stephens
Dear Gene, of course you are here
And now it's nothing to fear
Oooh, I should have known
Oooh, I was never alone
This isn't the last song
There is no violin
The choir is so quiet
And noone takes a spin
This is the next to last song
And that's all, all
Remember what I have said
Remember, wrap up the bread
Do this, do that, make your bed
This isn't the last song
There is no violin
The choir is quiet
And noone takes a spin
This is the next to last song
And that's all ...
Joe Z
This is one of the few movies where it feels like the main villain is the screenwriter for putting the character through so much misery. You want things to get better for her so much but you know that Lars is not gonna let that happen.
Hipster Elephant
It also really says something about Lars where this is actually one of his more happier endings.
S D
This film is incredible. So real. Shot like a documentary. Every single actor in this movie brought their A-game, and the fact that Bjork didn’t win best actress for this performance is fucking insane. I’m not the same person after watching this; her performance is so real, so painful, so fucking sad. She was completely robbed, but boy did she deliver. Huge HUGE accomplishment. What a movie!
Rajiv Krishna
She got best actress in Cannes Film festival
Arturo Isay Vázquez Ibarra
This is one of the cruelest endings I've ever seen. Whenever I remember this scene were everything just stops after she gets executed... ending everything she was and her dreamy, hopeful and beautiful singing... It really sticks with you.
John Pleasant
Earlier on in the film, she says she hates the last song in musicals because then you know it's over as the camera zooms out over an elaborate number. So she always leaves the theater during the next to last song, that way the musical goes on forever. This brings heightened beauty in her passing: she exits the world during her own next to last song, and will continue on in an endless musical of her own, forever
brainsizedpea
The fact that they cut it just before the song ended makes me die a little inside. Selma's musical will go on forever.
fuck
netyx BJladumur
- Selma: Isn't it annoying when they do the last song in the films?
- Bill Houston: Why?
- Selma: Because you just know when it goes really big... and the camera goes like out of the roof... and you just know it's going to end. I hate that. I would leave just after the next to last song... and the film would just go on forever.”
John Pleasant
@netyx BJladumurexactly this. She passes on, in an endless musical, forever
ARogueKarma
I don't do feelings, but I watched this film a few days ago on TV and.. I was in tears at the end.
Its a beautiful film, really powerful.
Her voice is so good.