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WhoIsIt
Björk
Writer(s) Björk
Producer(s) Björk
Length 3:57

M-Logo singles chronology

Singles "Who Is It (C. M. J. O. T. L., C. M. P. O. T. R.)"
"Triumph of a Heart"
Promotional single(s) "Oceania"

Medúlla track listing

"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.

Björk_-_Who_is_it?_&_It's_in_our_hands_-_Vespertine_Tour_Italy_2001_-_Parma_Teatro_Regio

Björk - Who is it? & It's in our hands - Vespertine Tour Italy 2001 - Parma Teatro Regio

First live performance of "Who Is It" in a 2001 show in Rome, Italy

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[]

Björk_-_who_is_it

Björk - who is it

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
It fuels me and places
A skeleton of trust
Right beneath us
Bone by bone
Stone by stone

If you ask yourself patiently and carefully:
Who is it? Who is it?

Who is it that never lets you down?
Who is it that gave you back your crown?
And the ornaments are, they're going around
Now they're handing it over
They're handing it over, handing it over
Who is it that never lets you down?
Who is it that gave you back your crown?
And the ornaments are, they're going around
Now they're handing it over
Handing it over

Handing it over...

He demands a closeness
We all have earned a lightness
Carry my joy on the left
Carry my pain on the right

If you ask yourself now, patiently and carefully:
Who is it?

Who is it that never lets you down?
Who is it that gave you back your crown?
And the ornaments are, they're going around
And they're handing it over
Handing it over, handing
Who is it that never lets you down?
Who is it that gave you back your crown?
And the ornaments are, they're going around
Now I'm handing it over
Handing it over

Handing it over...

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Björk - Who Is It paroles". (in French). bjork.fr
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