Talk:Björk

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Archives
May 2003 – June 2006

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http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/3304729/Totempole/Product.html lists the title as Totempole. Is this sufficient to be used as a source? 85.217.39.4 19:42, 2 February 2007 (UTC)Unregistered.[reply]

  No, not until bjork.com confirms it. Consulate76 00:39, 6 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Are Telegram and, for that matter, Drawing Restraint 9 official Bjork releases?

Yes (Elektra) & Yes (One Little Indian US). - BalthCat 05:44, 12 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Does anyone know what instruments Björk plays, and if she plays them on any of her solo records? I know she played the flute in her earlier days, but I have no idea how much she plays these days. Damiancorrigan 12:12, 29 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

As you know, she played the flute on her first album (1977), was the drummer in an-all girl band called Spit and Snot, then she played the piccolo flute in Exodus (besides singing, of course), sometimes the keyboard in Tappi Tíkarrass, the harpsichord (“Síðasta Ég”) and flute (“Glóra”) in The Elgar Sisters, and the clavinet in Hljómsveit Kóraðs B (The Band of Kónrað B)… and I have a picture of her playing the guitar with The Sugarcubes.

She took accordion lessons when she was 5 and finished 10 years later graduating as a classic pianist (I forgot, but she played the piano in “Sonnets / Unrealities XI”, song from Medúlla). Luis María Benítez 21:22, 6 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Correction: She played the piano in "Ancestors". "Sonnets/Unrealities XI" is pure a cappella. 125.162.3.41 06:10, 17 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

At the top of the article, we have Björk Guðmundsdóttir (IPA: ['pjœr̥k 'kvʏðmʏnstoʊhtɪr]), which is roughtly a "kvuth", while later down in the article, we see "gwuth". So which is it? -lethe ^{talk +} 16:32, 17 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Depends on what you mean by "roughly"; [k] is unaspirated like English 'g' and unvoiced like English 'k'. Icelanders tend not to hear the difference between Icelandic 'g' (IPA [k]) and English 'g' (IPA [g]). But I'm not a big fan of these pseudo-phonetic transcriptions anyway. Haukur 08:27, 19 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

So the "g" is used to indicate an unaspirated [k]? Yes, I guess I've seen that done before. Thank you for explaining. -lethe ^{talk +} 09:24, 19 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

There is also (to the English ear) what sounds like a soft /sh/ sound between R and K, which I am guessing accounts for the O.E. beorc becoming birch.

Incidentally, beorc/björk is the letter B in Futhorc, which with Gyfu (X) is to be found in the logo for Bluetooth.

Nuttyskin 03:26, 31 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I noticed that the former IPA has a "v" sound after "k." Is this correct?—Tokek 00:00, 29 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Yes. The word guð ("god") and words derived from it are actually pronounced as if they were spelled *gvuð. Haukur 13:31, 8 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I added my reading of her name in an .ogg file. Haukur 13:31, 8 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks! —Tokek 00:33, 14 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The account of the incident with the reporter in 1996 has a small inconsistency: The article says Björk has a daughter and "also has a son, Sindri Eldon Þórsson, born June 8, 1986". No other sons are mentioned. When the 1996 incident is mentioned, the article says "... Björk emerged from her aircraft at Don Muang Airport with her then five-year-old son...". Clearly the boy was nine or ten years old at the time, or the child involved is a different one. 132.192.14.232 17:49, 20 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

You were correct! Sindri is her only son, and this has been cleaned up. Somewildthingsgo 08:30, 1 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I'm no Björk expert, but didnt she have a stalker who conspired to disfigure her with some sort of book that would spray her with hydrochloric acid? i remember seeing a news magazine story about it. he kept a video journal of everything he did...--Atticus2020 07:03, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Check the "Personal life" section. The info's already there. 惑乱 分からん 22:20, 11 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks. I didnt read it too quickly. I assumed it the incident would have its own section.--Atticus2020 00:07, 14 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Would it be worth noting songs such as Venus As a Boy, which was used in Leon: The Professional? Are there other such songs? Jimcripps 04:34, 7 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

What do you mean, Björk album songs also featured on movie soundtracks? 惑乱 分からん 22:20, 11 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I am not very fluent with the IPA, so the IPA spelling only makes pronunciation even more difficult. I think it would be much more helpful to insert a sound file of someone pronouncing her name. -67.41.245.198 15:40, 10 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Even easier is just to say that (approximately) the name is Be York but instead of O there is the sound of the oe in Goethe.

Nuttyskin 03:36, 31 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Then they have to know how to pronounce Goethe as well... - BalthCat 05:15, 31 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

By definition the standards for Platinum status are based on the population of the country assigning it, it's the same for Canada. Unless Iceland has even lower standards than other nations of its size, I don't see the point in the section I removed. It seems to imply that Iceland's standards are weaker, not proportional. We would also have to go looking through other gold/platinum status artists from other countries and start qualifying their accolades as well. No point. I'm simply linking to platinum album so that people who don't know might find out themselves. - BalthCat 17:51, 9 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

On this page, she talks about bisexuality and here she has been labeled as a bisexual person. Well, I think there has been a misinterpretation when she talked about “her women and men” in her life. She was talking about the people she worked with. At least, this is the idea you get after reading those lines. From what I know, all her sentimental relationships were with men. Also she never said she was bisexual. I don’t want to remove the category because people will jump on me thinking I’m against this or against minority groups or something like that, but I’m just saying that this has been clearly misunderstood. Regards, Luis María Benítez 15:44, 3 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I had actually already removed the category when you wrote this comment, for the same reasons as you just stated. --Sindri 11:42, 4 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know where you get the idea that it was only her colleagues. She explains clearly that some of the relationships could be labelled romantic, that she believes all people are to some extent bisexual, and that she would be stupid not to try 'the other flavours' (aka women). I don't see how you take that to mean only familial love, or the love of friends and respected colleagues, when she clearly uses the word "romantic". I admit that I am not sure I want to revert the removal, because I don't know whether it was said in passing fancy or whether it encapsulates her idea of romantic love. However, to say she means she "loves her chums" is really a stretch. A person can be bisexual without having ever had sex with, or having been in a relationship with a person of the same gender. Would you tell a man who has fallen in love with men, and claims he is homosexual, that he is not homosexual because he has never had a partner in love or sex? - BalthCat 04:32, 5 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The use of the word “romantic” doesn’t necessarily imply any formal relationship or sexual preference, above all when the interviewee is Björk. She has some sort of “poetic way” of talking and uses varied metaphors, unusual comparisons and rather informal expressions which are sometimes hard to describe. I have a Spanish book called Björk, Colección Imágenes de Rock, N°82 by Jordi Bianciotto (Madrid, Spain 1997, Editorial La Máscara - available here) and from page 54 to 59 there is a chapter which contains definitions by Björk. These definitions (or sections) were taken from different interviews, but unfortunately none of them are properly credited on the book. So, here I write down excerpts taken from the following 2 sections (which could be of interest here): they are titled “Love” and “Sex” (mind that I’m translating from Spanish).

“Love”: she says “I was born to be in loved. When I’m not, I can’t eat nor even sleep. I stare at the food and think it’s crap. For me it’s like wood or coins. It’s more important for me to love than being loved. I’m obsessed with it”, then she adds “I think I have a character that turns everything into love (...) I believe I’m an ordinary and stupid person whose only way to relate to everything is by means of love (...)”.

“Sex”: here she says “in many ways, writing a song with a guy is far more stimulating and erotic than having a sexual relationship”, she adds “people are so narrow-minded that think sex only exists as a hardcore thing. But everything can be sexual, from putting your sucks in the morning, to buying milk, laughing or talking through the phone. Although I hope nobody misunderstand what I mean and write ‘Björk is a sexual maniac and has an orgasm every time she bites a toast!’” She continues saying “I’ve always been like a man. I started to play with bands when I was 11 and I couldn’t withstand boys because they were stupid (...), but when you find someone who’s different, it becomes into something special, even more than friendship. And the same happens with the sex thing”.

Well, as you can see she puts love everywhere. And certainly on the interview on Diva she said “you would be stupid not to try 'the other flavours'”. She didn’t say “I would be…”. I don’t deny her words and it’s OK you mentioned this on the biography. But I would like to read something like “yes people, I swing both ways” on behalf of anyone who could be labeled as bisexual. But this doesn’t seem to happen there. Actually, nowhere.
Of course, I agree that a anyone can be bisexual without having been in a relationship with a person of the same gender, but I think Diva wants to brag about having another celebrity on their side, or someone supporting their cause.
Some of her expressions might get you on the wrong way and wonder what she means, but that’s how she talks. Also in other quotations featured on the book I have (and others) she talks about music, and all her passions and friends in a similar way referring to them as “romantic relationships” or “love affairs”. This could sometimes lead you to a misconception.
I also remember when she was labeled a bipolar person. Where were the facts supporting that? Was there any doctor who officially diagnosed her personality? If not, unless publicly and widely confirmed, I don’t think she could have been labeled as such either. And I mean that for any biography. It’s interesting though, that this biography lacks some of the most known facts and yet it contains categories based on unverified affirmations. Some of them, totally new for long-time fans and friends. Luis María Benítez 15:04, 6 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I understand what you are saying, which is why I included... "I don't know whether it was said in passing fancy or whether it encapsulates her idea of romantic love" in my response. However, if she puts sex and love in all things, who are we to tell her that it is not real sex or love? Does she not define sex and love for herself? Is she not the one who defines herself as bisexual, and not us? I have also read her lyrics, and so I *do* have some insight into how her mind words from her expression in song. It provides context to read her lines and interpret them without going "haha she orgasms while eating toast", for example. I don't believe I've made any misconceptions from her quotes. I believe she believes she experiences things differently. But, romantic love (her word) *does* include sexual desire, as well as emotional intimacy, so to say a relationship is romantic means it *does* have at least some sexual element. And 'romantic' *was* the term she used. (Which for her is perhaps easy to achieve, since she has sexual socks.) This is why I believe you are overly dismissive of her words and think "sex has to be a hardcore thing". What is it going to take, a lesbian encounter? Why are we not taking the words out of her mouth instead of rewriting them? And again, you can be homosexual, or bisexual, or heterosexual without ever having hard a partner in love or body, so this talk of "formal relationship" is off, however romantic DOES imply some sexual preference. - BalthCat 21:08, 6 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

You know, the category is OK with me. I don’t complain at all! But if you said that didn’t know whether this was said in passing fancy or whether it had a further meaning, probably it would be better to say what’s already been written on the article: that she “has shown openness to bisexuality”. But labeling her as bisexual, mmmm…. I don’t know. But please, don’t get me wrong: I didn’t mean to question your interpretation of her words. Finally, I’m not being dismissive, what happens is that when I saw the category I just wondered why this has never been mentioned anywhere else, I mean: irrelevant details of her life are spreading throughout the Internet, but no one about this (up to that moment). That’s all. Kind regards, Luis María Benítez 14:40, 12 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Personally I think Bjork is too wonderful not to be a little bit bisexual. Some of the greatest women singers have been and I'd put her up with Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith and other immortals. But then Bjork is like a force of nature. You wouldn't talk about a mountain, an earthquaker or a tidal wave being bisexual would you? Then again they are hardly hetrosexual either. Just a thought.SmokeyTheFatCat 21:24, 3 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I think that she shouldn't be catgorized as bisexual unless she actually states clearly that she's bisexual. A few ambigious statements like those above don't make her bisexual, and categorizing her as one is potentially libelous. Asarelah 18:53, 2 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I agree, and removed the material again after an anon replaced it. I couldn't find on Diva's website archives anything about this and a simple websearch also didn't turn it up. I'm perfectly willing to have her words reinstated with a proper citation from Diva, but until then or failing any other reliable sources that material should remain out of the article per Bios of Living Persons. That means that anyone reintroducing it failing to provide proper sourcing can be reverted without fear of the three revert rule. as a gay man myself I think it would be very nice if she was bisexual... Syrthiss 00:59, 8 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I think the section needs one. I didn't know what it was about and just read what I imagine are the most important parts in about two seconds. But, I don't know what the guidlines are for this sort of thing, so I thought I should just suggest it.

This need rephrased to something succinct: [Bjork is a singer] with a great expressive range and an interest in many kinds of music including pop, alternative rock, jazz, ambient music, electronica, folk, and classical music.

Thank you. Rintrah 13:33, 26 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

What is her ancestry?

Although many have commented on her Oriental/Inuit facial features, by all accounts Bjork denies any such in her ancestry. However she isn't 'typical' in looks to other Icelandic people (but not unique either). Some have speculated Sami (Lapp) descent in the long distant past. She was also teased as a child with the taunt 'China girl'.

See also http://ask.yahoo.com/20000720.html

The Yeti 14:45, 2 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Using the album's titles as section names looks very weird. ChKa 20:12, 25 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

What's the name of the song where she's singing in the backseat of a car, crying? I know that she's doing a part in another band album. What 's the name of the band? Thanks!!! 201.19.197.26 00:03, 31 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

According to one review of Bjork DVD on Amazon.com: "Bjork discusses that she thought she was at first an atheist, but then she matured and realized she did have a religion, nature." I haven't found any interviews where she states that she is an atheist, so I'm removing the category. Asarelah 02:57, 3 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

From HotPress in an article titled "Björk on the Wild Side", dated 1994:
Q: Who does Björk pray to?
Björk: "I've got my own religion, " she concludes, giving her nose a final scatch, poke and lug before heading off for a soundcheck. 
"Iceland sets a world-record. The United Nations asked people from all over the world a series of questions. Iceland stuck out on 
one thing. When we were asked what do we believe, 90% said, 'ourselves'. I think I'm in that group. If I get into trouble, there's 
no God or Allah to sort me out. I have to do it myself."
http://www.abc.se/~m8996/bjork/interviw/hotpress.html

---

From Les Inrockuptibles No. 14. (June 16, 1995):
Q: Do you believe in God?
A: I do not believe in religion, but if I had to choose one, it would be Buddhism. It seems more livable, closer to men. 

---

More on Buddhism, from Raygun, Sept 1997
RG: Did you enjoy your performance at the Tibet Festival?
Björk: I did, but I've been reading about reincarnation, and the Buddhists say we come back as animals and they refer to them as 
lesser beings. Well, animals aren't lesser beings, they're just like us. So I say fuck the Buddhists. 

---

"It's a big question. Getting rid of religion would be a good start, wouldn't it? It seems to be causing a lot of havoc."
   * When asked "Given the chance, how would you change the world?" (Independent, 18 March 2005.) 

I've reinstated the category. swidly 05:44, 3 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

There is a *HUGE* difference between not believing in a diety (which is atheism) and not believing in the doctrines of organized religion. Plenty of people who believe in a higher power are disgusted or disenchanted with religion. It isn't clear that she's an atheist, especially since she says that she's "got her own religion". Unless she actually declares atheism, her statements are too ambigous and categorizing her as an atheist is potentially libelous. I'm removing the category. Asarelah 17:11, 3 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Uhhh... but she says right in there (from the first quote) "... there's no God or Allah to sort me out." The definition of atheism is "one who believes that there is no deity" (from merriam-webster). How is this not clear? It doesn't matter if she has her own religion; as long as she doesn't believe in a diety, that would technically be atheism. Atheism is not the same as anti-religious. I agree there's a difference between the two, but her first quote isn't ambiguous at all; she says she doesn't believe there's a God figure.

And why would labeling her as an atheist be libelous, unless she's ever indicated even a slight hint of believing in God? I'd understand if maybe Björk kept mum on the religion issue, but she's always been outspoken. Just because it makes other people uncomfortable labeling her an atheist or it somehow doesn't mesh with their image of Björk doesn't mean we should censor the truth. She may be ambiguous on how religious she is, but her stance on whether or not God exists is not ambiguous at all. Sorry, but I'm re-reinstating the category. swidly 00:18, 15 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Her quote of "If I get into trouble, there's no God or Allah to sort me out. I have to do it myself." is still ambigious, because it can be interpreted to mean that although she believes in a diety, she does not believe that the diety will assist her. She also said that she thought she was an atheist at first, but later matured. Her wording in her statement that she thought she was an atheist "at first" clearly indicates that she no longer is one. I, for one, am not the least bit uncomfortable with the idea of Bjork being an atheist, nor am I trying to "censor the truth". I am not a fan of Bjork. I am simply trying to avoid libeling the woman. I am again removing the category. If you really want to keep pressing the issue, we can list this discussion in the requests for comment section. Asarelah 00:43, 23 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Does Anybody Else Agree That We Should Make An Article For Bjorks Stalker? Thanks. P.S I Love Bjork X(Id Rather Be Hated For Who I Am, Than Loved For Who I Am Not 21:08, 26 January 2007 (UTC))[reply]

I don't think so. He isn't notable beyond his stalking of Bjork. Asarelah 00:50, 27 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]