Her Mother's House

Album: Fossora (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • On this poignant track, Björk delves into the bittersweet experience of watching her youngest child spread their wings and leave the nest. What makes this song particularly special is that it features and was co-written by none other than Björk's own daughter, Isadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney.

    Isadóra was conceived during Björk's relationship with the famed arthouse director from New York, Matthew Barney. She has made her name in the fashion industry, collaborating with powerhouse brands such as Miu Miu.
  • Isadóra infuses a pure, folksy sound into the track. In an interview with The Guardian, Bjork said she approached her daughter to write about the experience of leaving the family home, with one caveat: There was no need to hold back on the truth. Clearly proud of her daughter's contribution to the song, Björk notes that the lyrics are a tongue-in-cheek nod to her own tendencies to hold onto things, laughing at herself for being a bit "clingy."
  • Bjork pokes fun at her heavy-handed parenting during this rueful meditation. "I'm trying to make fun of how clumsy and clingy you can be," she laughed to Uncut magazine. "When your kids are leaving, you gather up your courage to do a really graceful goodbye, and of course for five years you are still saying goodbye, and they are still coming back because you have to help them through things. So, asking my daughter to do this song with me was really trying to make fun of myself. Saying, 'I'm just doing my best, forgive me!' You're trying not to be overprotective, and then you find your underprotective in other areas. You can't win!"
  • Bjork recorded "Her Mother's House" for her 10th album, Fossora. The Icelandic singer's other child, her son Sindri Eldon, lends vocals to another Fossora track, "Ancestress."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

La La Brooks of The Crystals

La La Brooks of The CrystalsSong Writing

The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.