probably the seminal sugarcubes song, “birthday” is a perfect mix of angst and earnestness. a weird girl anthem, especially if you were once a little girl who liked to dig holes and play with bugs in the yard. one of my favorite bjork vocal performances of all time. i think everyone should listen to this during a storm and whilst eating a sticky piece of fruit.
I cried a lot to this song when I was 16 and I wasn’t ever sure why - the lyrics probably were how I wanted people to think about me after whatever party i barely squeezed my way onto the guest list for and it still sends me into a haunting dream of parties of another age with flirting queens and blue jeans and grooving saints - only to knock me back down with a clattering knock of a wooden spoon on a pot?
In any case it is the most beautiful song I know probably
Like Saint Joan
Doing a cool jerk
Oh, I want you
Like a kanga roo
this is one of the most famous songs ever, so excuse my obvious-posting. And being late to the game. This is actually the song that got me into VU this past year. Sure, “Venus In Furs” is pretty sexy and grimy. I was shocked that the same band that made that song made this song. Gave me pause! if I have kids this will be my lullaby for them. I sing it to my cat while she’s falling asleep- “sadie says/ that im really sleepy/ and a little hungry too”. I can’t get over how beautifully observed the lyrics are. Each verse really cuts into something so human… “I hate the quiet places/the cut the smallest taste/of what will be”. Felt. That. anyway enjoy.
all of mansour’s works are gorgeous and so beautifully representative of the palestinian condition (pre and post-intifada) but there’s something about 1985’s ”hope” that’s always stuck with me, much like 1993’s “the nazarene” (also attached). i cannot recommend looking further into mansour’s works enough. follow him on instagram @/sliman.mansour 🕊️
