The Boho Dance
Bjork Lyrics
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I went looking for some sweet inspiration, oh well
Just another hard time band with Negro affectations
I was a hopeful in rooms like this
When I was working cheap
It's an old romance, the Boho dance
Hasn't gone to sleep
But even on the scuffle
The cleaner's press was in my jeans
And any eye for detail
Caught a little lace along the seams
And you were in the parking lot
Subterranean by your own design
The virtue of your style inscribed
On your contempt for mine
Jesus was a beggar, He was rich in grace
And Solomon kept his head in all his glory
It's just that some steps outside the Boho dance
Have a fascination for me
A camera pans the cocktail hour
Behind a blind of potted palms
And finds a lady in a Paris dress
With runs in her nylons
You read those books where luxury
Comes as a guest to take a slave
Books where artists in noble poverty
Go like virgins to the grave
Don't you get sensitive on me
'Cause I know you're just too proud
You couldn't step outside the Boho dance now
Even if good fortune allowed
Like a priest with a pornographic watch
Looking and longing on the sly
Sure it's stricken from your uniform
But you can't get it out of your eyes
Nothing is capsulized in me
On either side of town
The streets were never really mine
Not mine, not mine, these glamor gowns
In Björk's song "The Boho Dance," the lyrics tell a story of the singer's search for inspiration in the Bohemian subculture. The singer acknowledges the problematic aspects of the scene, describing the "hard time" bands with "Negro affectations," but still feels drawn to the romanticism of the lifestyle. The singer recalls being a hopeful in similar rooms when they were "working cheap," suggesting that the Bohemian lifestyle is often associated with struggling artists.
The singer contrasts their experience with that of someone they encounter in the parking lot, who seems to have designed their own subterranean world. The singer notes the "virtue" of this person's style, but also suggests that they look down on the singer's more traditional Bohemian garb.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of tension between the singer's appreciation of the Bohemian lifestyle and their recognition of its pitfalls. They mention the fascination of "steps outside the Boho dance," suggesting that they are aware of other, more stable paths in life. However, they also seem to embrace the ambiguity of the subculture, describing the camera panning "behind a blind of potted palms" and the lady in the Paris dress with runs in her nylons. Ultimately, the song suggests that even though the singer may acknowledge the flaws of the Bohemian lifestyle, they continue to feel drawn to its romanticism and allure.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in the cellar in the Boho zone
I was in a seedy, bohemian district looking for inspiration
I went looking for some sweet inspiration, oh well
I was searching for inspiration, but couldn't find any
Just another hard time band with Negro affectations
I saw a band that was trying to emulate black musicians' style and was not impressed
I was a hopeful in rooms like this
I used to have high hopes when I was in places like this
When I was working cheap
When I was struggling financially
It's an old romance, the Boho dance
Living a bohemian lifestyle is a common romantic idea
Hasn't gone to sleep
Despite its age, the romanticization of bohemianism is still alive
But even on the scuffle
Even when I'm struggling to make ends meet
The cleaner's press was in my jeans
My clothing looked neat because I made sure to have them cleaned and pressed regularly
And any eye for detail
Someone who pays attention to detail
Caught a little lace along the seams
Would notice the subtle hints of femininity on my clothing
And you were in the parking lot
I noticed you outside
Subterranean by your own design
You were hiding, intentionally trying not to be noticed
The virtue of your style inscribed
The value of your style
On your contempt for mine
But you didn't think much of my style
Jesus was a beggar, He was rich in grace
Despite being poor, Jesus was spiritually wealthy
And Solomon kept his head in all his glory
Even though King Solomon was powerful, he remained grounded
It's just that some steps outside the Boho dance
Sometimes I'm interested in things outside of the bohemian lifestyle
Have a fascination for me
I'm intrigued by other things
A camera pans the cocktail hour
The scene shifts to a fancy party
Behind a blind of potted palms
The party is hidden behind plants
And finds a lady in a Paris dress
There is a woman wearing a fancy dress from Paris
With runs in her nylons
But the stockings she's wearing are damaged
You read those books where luxury
You are familiar with books that romanticize wealth and luxury
Comes as a guest to take a slave
Where wealthy people have servants
Books where artists in noble poverty
Also books that romanticize artists struggling in poverty
Go like virgins to the grave
Artists who die before they can achieve their potential
Don't you get sensitive on me
Don't be offended by what I say
Cause I know you're just too proud
Because I know you're easily offended
You couldn't step outside the Boho dance now
You wouldn't be able to embrace anything outside the bohemian lifestyle
Even if good fortune allowed
Even if you had the opportunity
Like a priest with a pornographic watch
At this point, I note you're like a priest with a sinful secret
Looking and longing on the sly
You are looking at me secretly, with interest
Sure it's stricken from your uniform
I know you wouldn't want your true thoughts or intentions to be visible to everyone
But you can't get it out of your eyes
Despite trying to hide it, I can see the lust in your eyes
Nothing is capsulized in me
I'm not sure what lifestyle I belong to
On either side of town
Regardless of where I am
The streets were never really mine
I don't feel like I belong anywhere
Not mine, not mine, these glamor gowns
I don't feel comfortable wearing fancy clothes, they don't make me me feel more glamorous
Contributed by Parker D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.