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"Who Is It (Carry My Joy on the Left, Carry My Pain on the Right)", or simply "Who Is It", is a song by Björk from her sixth studio album, Medúlla. It was released as the lead single from the album.
Background[]
Originally conceived during the Vespertine sessions with Bogdan Raczynski, the song was initially called "Embrace Fortress." The original version was more electronic and energetic, which didn't match with the more quiet, introvert sound on Vespertine. This version was released on vinyl in November 2005 and can be heard here.[1] Although it didn't make to Vespertine, a different version was performed in a 2001 show along with a Inuit choir.
During the Medúlla sessions, the song was reworked with Inuit throat singer Tagaq and programmer Rahzel.
Björk on the song:[1]
"This is a song I wrote at the end on Vespertine, but I didn't put it there because I felt it was from a different family - Vespertine was introvert and shy and not very physical a record, and this was a very physical song that I wrote when I was feeling quite strong again. The words are kinda self-explanatory. This is the one song that Matmos helped me with - they did fruit-machine-noises that are in the choruses. Like when you put a coin in slotmachine and get three strawberries. So they made those noises with synthesizers that I later imitated with my voice. So I would like to thank Matmos very much for that input, thank you very much. That was the first song where Rahzel sang, and he did the beat in that song in one take. We just all fell on the floor, we couldn't believe it. There's no overdubs, no treatment - this is it. I felt quite proud -- if you're gonna have a human beatboxer, at least get the real thing." (Björk, XFM 25aug04)
Music video[]
The music video of this song features the bell choir version of the song, which was re-recorded with the Bústaðakirkja Bell Choir. In the video, directed by Dawn Shadforth, Björk wears a bell-shaped dress (adorned with countless jingle bells) designed by her friend Alexander McQueen.
Audio[]
Lyrics[]
His embrace, a fortress |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Björk - Who Is It paroles". (in French). bjork.fr