Pneumonia
Bjork Lyrics

Björk's song Pneumonia in its essence is a motivational piece. In the first verse, the artist encourages the listener to accept the inevitable sadness of the world while urging them to have the courage to face it head-on. She emphasizes that even in the face of darkness the world can be relied upon, and a person can find comfort in their ability to breathe in it bravely.

In the second verse, Björk praises the listener for their strengths, specifically their unrestrained surrender to the high moments of their lives. She addresses the listener directly by admiring the way their lungs seem to mourn in a teepee-like style. As the song progresses, Björk addresses the listener's fears of missed opportunities and wasted moments, urging them not to shut themselves off or "lock up" their emotions, noting that doing so would be the "hugest crime of them all." Through this, the artist emphasizes the importance of embracing all of life's experiences and accepting human connection—even if it brings sadness at times.

The song, like many of Björk's works, is loaded with imagery and metaphors. From describing an inhale and exhale as bravery, to describing the lungs as mourning, Björk uses her lyrics and musical composition to create a nearly visual experience. Interestingly, it was revealed in an interview with Björk that the song was inspired by her mother's pneumonia and hospitalization as the artist states, "The last two songs on the album, 'Pneumonia' and 'Hope,' are really one song, like two feet. I initially wrote only the first half during my mom’s pneumonia last year. Then when I finished making the album, my dad became really ill and both songs became one for me.