Hyperballad

Album: Post (1995)
Charted: 8
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about Björk's need to maintain emotional balance and re-awaken life's pleasant danger in the context of a long-term relationship. This lyrics suggest a discomfort with being in overly safe in a relationship. Björk says: "Hyper-Ballad is about being in a relationship and three years on, you're not high anymore, so you wake up early in the morning and you sneak outside and you do something horrible and destructive, break whatever you can find, watch a horrible film, read a bit of William Burroughs, something really gross and come home and be like 'Hi honey, how are you?'" >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Michael - London, England
  • Björk describing her songwriting technique in Q Magazine October 2007: "I feel that words can have a mysticism or a hidden meaning. On 'Hyperballad,' the idea that I'm throwing car parts from a cliff is about getting out my frustrations."
  • Michel Gondry directed the music video, which features Björk as a video game character. The French filmmaker did several of Björk's videos, including "Declare Independence" and "Bachelorette."

Comments: 4

  • Rachel from Bristol, TnVery lovely song. No, it's not about suicide. Of all the artists out there, you cannot take this woman's lyrics at face value - there's always a deeper meaning. There is a live version of this from the Jools Holland Show, and is absolutely gorgeous. She's one of the last true artists, in my opinion.
  • Brittany from Florissant, Modude, is this song about her wanting to commit suicide or sumthing. as the lyrics say "On their way down I follow with my eyes 'til they crash
    Imagine what my body would sound like Slamming against those rocks".
    like does she wish she would jump off the cliff or sumthin?

  • Dennis from Chicagoland Burrows, IlThis song is also incredible on the "Telegram" disk, it is performed with a quartet string arrangement, and they sound like seagulls diving at one point. Bjork is Beautiful.
  • Patrickman from Makati City, Othermy most favorite Bjork song! i like the way it progresses from simple drum beats to trance at the end. cool and imaginative lyrics! Bjork is the goddess of alternative rock!!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")Songwriter Interviews

Phil was a songwriter, producer and voice behind many Philadelphia soul classics. When disco hit, he got an interesting project: The Village People.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.