Vertebræ by Vertebræ
Bjork Lyrics
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There is a view
Up on the toe
And the spine
Straight and erect
Hungry and curious
Up on the toe
The air is thinner here
She came here
To lose face
Got down on her knees
The beast is back
On four legs
Set her clock to the moon
Raises her spine
Vertebrae by vertebrae
Up on the toe
Looking
I have been filled with steam for months, for years
Same old cloud, claustrophobic me
Let it burst like old train sounds
Make them leave me nature
Vertebrae by vertebrae by vertebrae
My arms squeeze out of my shoulders
And the arms squeeze out of my shoulders
I curl my tail in words
I set my clock on the moon
Vertebrae by vertebrae
Please release this pressure of me
Please release this pressure of me
Please release this pressure of me
Please
Let off some steam
In Björk's song Vertebræ by Vertebræ, she describes the feeling of being upright and standing on the tips of her toes. She emphasizes that in this position, there is a different view and perspective from what she is used to seeing when she is not on her toes. She is curious about what she will be able to see from a different angle, as if trying to find a new perspective to explore. But she is also aware of the sacrifices she has made in order to get to this point.
The second half of the song deals with the idea of release, of feeling the pressure and needing to let off steam. The lines "I have been filled with steam for months, for years" are representative of the stress and frustration that builds up over time, and how it can become overwhelming if not released in some way. She pleads for someone to release the pressure, but acknowledges that she may have to be the one to take that step herself. The image of the tail curling in words, and the arms squeezing out of her shoulders, are physical representations of the pressure being released.
Overall, the song explores the themes of curiosity, sacrifice, and the need for release. Björk uses abstract language and imagery to depict these concepts, leaving the song open to interpretation for the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Up on the toe
Standing on the tip of the toe with a view
There is a view
Looking at something spectacular
Up on the toe
Standing on the tip of the toe
And the spine
The backbone is straight
Straight and erect
Standing tall with a straight posture
Hungry and curious
Eager and inquisitive to experience more
Up on the toe
Stand up tall on the tip of the toe
Looking forward to
Anticipating something exciting
The air is thinner here
Higher altitude and harder to breathe
She came here
Arrived at this place
To lose face
To reduce or end embarrassment
Got down on her knees
Kneeling down in a show of submission or supplication
The beast is back
Animalistic tendencies have returned
On four legs
Moving on all fours like an animal
Set her clock to the moon
Synchronization with celestial movements
Raises her spine
Straightens her backbone
Vertebrae by vertebrae
One bone at a time
Up on the toe
Standing on the tip of the toe
Looking
Observing
I have been filled with steam for months, for years
Feelings of pressure that have been building up inside
Same old cloud, claustrophobic me
Feeling trapped in negative emotions
Let it burst like old train sounds
Releasing pressure in a sudden burst
Make them leave me nature
Escape and enjoy the beauty of the natural world
Vertebrae by vertebrae by vertebrae
One by one the tension is being released
My arms squeeze out of my shoulders
Feeling overwhelmed and tense
And the arms squeeze out of my shoulders
Describing the feeling of pressure
I curl my tail in words
Expressing feelings in a symbolic manner
I set my clock on the moon
Realigning oneself to nature
Please release this pressure of me
Asking for relief from tension
Please release this pressure of me
Asking for relief from tension
Please release this pressure of me
Asking for relief from tension
Please
Appealing for help
Let off some steam
Relaxing and releasing tension
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BJORK GUDMUNDSDOTTIR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Victor Hugo
I love how "Volta" feels like a long march with some introspective moments. I'd be cool to march to "Vertebrae by Vertebrae".
mario
underrated song and album
Jose Gomez
Superb song!
setheurovision94
This song is so big and earthy and powerful.
Chris F
👁