In the album booklet, the sub-title for this song is “9 months before”, signifying that this song was written 9 months before the break up of the relationship between Björk and Matthew Barney.
It’s about someone who’s trying to get emotions out of another person. The whole song is emotionally about wanting clarity, wanting simplicity, and talking to someone who wants things to be really complex and foggy and unclear. And you saying, ok, I’ve got clarity: want it or not? So it’s sort of celebrating simplicity and clarity...
I was walking on a beach and I was walking back and forth and the lyrics came along without me really editing them. The strength of this album is really simplicity and the thinking out loud feeling. And I shouldn’t be too clever. It would work against it. So, I kind of just went with the first words that came… [they’re] probably the most obvious lyrics I’ve ever written.
It was very important that the strings were cyclical, this chord cycle that gives you this feeling it can go on and on in circles. It gives you this feeling of equilibrium, like the person who’s singing the song is showing some sort of harmony to someone as an example... It’s trying, in the most harmonious way possible, to prove a point [laughs]. Because I think staying emotionally open, it’s a choice. I think it’s equally hard for all of us, and we’re just all doing our best, but there’s also a choice: Do you want to try, and maybe fail... or is it your choice to not even try?
I’m mostly a singer, but I think the way I sing is I usually wait for a day that I’m kind of probably more impulsive than other days in one way or another [laughs]. So when I sing, I go to this place where it’s more similar to when I’m doing a concert — I will not have so much of my brain in there [laughs]. I’ll just warm up my voice, have a coffee and jump in the deep end, where you’re more a performer.
Stone Milket
Bjork Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A juxtapositioning fate
Find our mutual coordinates
[Verse 1]
Moments of clarity are so rare
I better document this
At last the view is fierce
[Pre-Chorus]:
Who is open-chested?
And who has coagulated?
Who can share and
Who has shot down the chances?
[Chorus]:
Show me emotional respect, oh respect, oh respect
And I have emotional needs, oh needs, oh ooh
I wish to synchronize our feelings, our feelings, oh ooh
[Verse 2]
What is it that I have?
That makes me feel your pain/
Like milking a stone
To get you to say it and
[Pre-Chorus]:
Who is open?
And who has shut up
And if one feels closed
How does one stay open?
[Chorus]:
We have emotional needs, oh needs, oh needs, oh ooh
I only wish to synchronize our feelings, our feelings, ooh
Oh, show some emotional respect, oh respect, oh ooh
[Outro]:
A juxtapositioning fate
Find our mutual coordinates
Bjork's "Stone Milket" is a song that explores the complexity of emotional connection and the role of communication in achieving it. The lyrics start with an invitation to explore the balance and interconnectedness of fate that has brought two individuals together. The first verse highlights how rare moments of clarity are - moments where one can see things as they are, without illusions or distractions. The singer feels the need to document this because it is such an infrequent occurrence. The second verse explores the idea that the singer possesses something that allows her to feel the pain of the other person. She describes it as "milking a stone," a challenging and difficult task, but one that must be done in order to encourage the other person to open up. The pre-chorus asks probing questions about the barriers that exist between people: who is open-chested and vulnerable versus who has closed off and hardened their heart?
The chorus highlights the singer's emotional needs and the importance of synchronizing feelings. She desires emotional respect, which can only come from open communication and transparency. The outro takes us back to the idea of fate and the importance of finding mutual coordinates. The song suggests that connection and intimacy are found when people are willing to put in the work of breaking down barriers and discovering each other's vulnerabilities.
Line by Line Meaning
A juxtapositioning fate
The idea that two opposing or contrasting things (fate) can exist at the same time.
Find our mutual coordinates
Discovering where both parties are coming from, finding common ground.
Moments of clarity are so rare
Having a clear understanding of something is not common.
I better document this
To remember this moment clearly later on, it is important to write it down.
At last the view is fierce
After a long time, finally seeing something with great clarity and intensity.
All that matters is
The only important thing is...
Who is open-chested?
Who is open and willing to share their feelings?
And who has coagulated?
Who has closed themselves off emotionally?
Who can share and
Who is willing to open up and communicate?
Who has shot down the chances?
Who has prevented the opportunity for communication or growth?
Show me emotional respect, oh respect, oh respect
Display care and concern for my emotional state.
And I have emotional needs, oh needs, oh ooh
My emotional state requires attention and care as well.
I wish to synchronize our feelings, our feelings, oh ooh
I desire emotional alignment and understanding between us.
What is it that I have?
What is it about me that allows me to understand your pain?
That makes me feel your pain
That allows me to empathize with you and recognize your emotional state.
Like milking a stone
Trying to extract something from someone that is difficult or impossible to give.
To get you to say it and
To encourage you to communicate and express your feelings.
Who is open?
Who is willing to be honest and communicate openly?
And who has shut up
Who has closed themselves off and stopped communicating?
And if one feels closed
If someone is emotionally closed off...
How does one stay open?
How can they learn to open themselves up emotionally?
We have emotional needs, oh needs, oh needs, oh ooh
Both parties require emotional support and understanding.
Oh, show some emotional respect, oh respect, oh ooh
Display empathy and care for the emotional state of others.
Find our mutual coordinates
Discovering where both parties are coming from, finding common ground.
A juxtapositioning fate
The idea that two opposing or contrasting things (fate) can exist at the same time.
Contributed by Annabelle S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-tj7xt3ph1l
A juxtaposition in fate
Find our mutual coordinates
Moments of clarity are so rare
I better document this
Across the view is fears
All that matters is
Who is open-chested
And who has coagulated
Who can share and
Who has shot down the chances?
Show me emotional respect, oh respect, oh respect
And I have emotional needs, oh needs, oh ooh
I wish to synchronize our feelings, our feelings, oh ooh
What is it that I have
That makes me feel your pain?
Like milking a stone
To get you to say it, and
Who is open?
And who has shut up
And if one feels closed
How does one stay open?
We have emotional needs, oh needs, oh needs, oh ooh
I only wish to synchronize our feelings, our feelings, ooh
I'll show some emotional respect, oh respect, oh ooh
A juxtaposition in fate
Find our mutual coordinates
@chloethesemoments
"Stonemilker"
A juxtapositioning fate
Find our mutual coordinate
Moments of clarity are so rare
I better document this
At last the view is fierce
All that matters is
Who is open chested
And who has coagulated
Who can share
And who has shut down the chances
Show me emotional respect
I have emotional needs
I wish to synchronize our feelings
What is it that I have
That makes me feel your pain
Like milking a stone
To get you to say it
Who is open
And who has shut up
And if one feels closed
How does one stay open
We have emotional need
I wish to synchronize our feelings
Show some emotional respect
@paigegoodwin3383
That’s the closest I will probably ever get to hanging out with bjork
@warriorcat258
😂❤️
@paigegoodwin3383
@k2 I am a lady.. who frequently hangs out with ladies. I think you're projecting lmao
@paigegoodwin3383
@k2 💖 get a life
@djfrozen4534
@k2 Hello
@camcoopa5307
just wait for the next album
@abxv_
This made me cry and I don't even know why. Like she's trying to comfort you for existing in a world where feelings are not being respected. I love Bjork <3
@jens2049
Same. Everytime I watch this
@rgva777
that's exactly what the song means 🥺😿💔🖤
@hallidreams4696
🖤🖤🖤