Björk performing in Victoria Park, London during her Utopia tour (2018)
Songs
227
Other contributions
64
Icelandic singer and songwriter Björk has recorded more than two hundred songs for ten studio albums, two soundtrack albums, a compilation album, six remix albums and three collaboration albums. She is the sole writer and producer of most of the songs included in her albums. She also sometimes plays instruments during her recording sessions. Moreover, she has provided credited and uncredited contributions on songs recorded by other artists, including background vocals, songwriting, remixing and production.
After enrolling at the Barnamúsíkskóli in Reykjavík, she started developing an interest in writing and performing. A live recording of her rendition of Tina Charles' 1976 song "I Love to Love", sung when she was 10 years old, led to the signing of a record deal with Fálkinn. Her first eponymous solo release (1977), nowadays considered juvenilia, consisted of cover songs. Nonetheless, the album included her first composition, "Jóhannes Kjarval". Thereafter, Björk ventured into music bands experiences, singing as the lead voice of groups like Tappi Tíkarrass, Kukl, the Elgar Sisters and, most notably, the Sugarcubes. While recording with the Sugarcubes, Björk appeared as a background vocalist for fellow artists like Megas, Current 93 and Bless, and some of her original music was included in local music compilations. In 1990 she released Gling-Gló alongside Tríó Guðmundar Ingólfssonar, a cover album of jazz standards.
In 1993, after departing from The Sugarcubes, Björk released her first solo album, Debut, which propelled her to international stardom. The album was followed by a series of critically acclaimed recordings, including Post (1995), Homogenic (1997), Vespertine (2001), Medúlla (2004), Volta (2007), Biophilia (2011), Vulnicura (2015), Utopia (2017), and Fossora (2022). All of her albums were released under One Little Independent Records. Björk has collaborated with a number of artists and songwriters throughout her career, including Nellee Hooper, Sjón, Mark Bell, Anohni and Arca.
^The film version of "107 Steps", included in Dancer in the Dark (2000), is called "141 Steps".
^In "Afterwards", Björk sings portions of "Anoche cuando dormía", a poem by Spanish author Antonio Machado. The poem was included in Soledades, galerías y otros poemas (1907).
^"Álfur Út Ur Hól" is the Icelandic version of "The Fool on the Hill", originally performed by The Beatles, and included on Magical Mystery Tour (1967).
^The album version was billed as "Howie Version" or "Strings Mix" and was produced only by Howie B. The single version was produced only by Björk.
^ abcdefgThe songs included in Mount Wittenberg Orca are all credited to Björk and the Dirty Projectors. Nonetheless, Björk's vocals are only featured on "On and Ever Onward", "Sharing Orb" and "All We Are".
^"Alta Mira" is an Icelandic cover version of "Alta Mira" by Edgar Winter, originally included on They Only Come Out at Night (1972).
^"Amphibian" was originally recorded for the soundtrack of Being John Malkovich (1999). The song was later included as a b-side in the single release of "Cocoon" in 2002.
^The first pressing vinyl version of "Ancestress" doesn't feature vocals from Sindri Eldon.
^"Arisen My Senses" interpolates "Little Now a Lot", a track by Arca included in her debut EP Baron Libre (2012).
^A remix version of "Army of Me" features British band Skunk Anansie.
^"Bænin" is the Icelandic cover version of "Christopher Robin", originally performed by Melanie Safka, and included on Born to Be (1968).
^"Bath" interpolates "Aposiopesis", a track by Akira Rabelais, included in Eisoptrophobia (2001).
^"Bílavísur" is an Icelandic reworded version of "The Blacksmith Blues", originally performed by Ella Mae Morse in 1952.
^A remix version of "Blissing Me" features American artist Serpentwithfeet.
^ abThe segue between "Blissing Me" and "The Gate" on Utopia contains a sample from "Guanare/Barinas" by Jean C. Roché.
^"Búkolla" is an Icelandic cover version of "Your Kiss Is Sweet", originally performed by Syreeta Wright and included in her album Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta (1974).
^"Courtship" includes an original recording by Ragnar Johnson, assisted by Jessica Mayer, called "Mo-Mo", included in Sacred Flute Music From New Guinea: Madang / Windim Mabu (2016).
^ ab"Declare Independence" and "Vertebræ by Vertebræ" interpolate portions of "Hunter Vessel", included in Drawing Restraint 9 (2005).
^"Ég Veit Ei Hvađ Skal Segja" is an Icelandic reworded version of "Ricochet", originally included in the 1954 film Ricochet Romance and famously sung by Teresa Brewer in 1953.
^"Features Creatures" includes an original composition by Sarah Hopkins called Kindred Spirits, Music for Harmonic Whirlies (1996). Remix versions of the track include Fever Ray and The Knife and were included on Country Creatures (2019).
^The first pressing vinyl version of "Fossora" features vocals from Gabber Modus Operandi vocalist Ican Harem.
^"Gloomy Sunday" is a song composed by Hungarian composer Rezső Seress and published in 1933. It was famously sung by Billie Holiday in 1941. The version included in Stormy Weather is a live rendition of the song, performed at the Stormy Weather event on April 16, 1998.
^"Gotham Lullaby" is a song composed by Meredith Monk and included in Dolmen Music (1981). The version included in Monk Mix is a live rendition of the song, performed with the Brodsky Quartet at the Union Chapel concerts in December, 1999.
^The "Heirloom" instrumental was released as "Crabcraft" by Console in his 1998 album "Rocket in the Pocket", although the track was reportedly re-produced from scratch with Björk.
^The first pressing vinyl version of "Her Mother's House" doesn't feature vocals from Ísadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney.
^On the Vespertine liner notes, Björk is credited as the sole songwriter for the song. On its subsequent inclusion on Greatest Hits (2002), Sigsworth and Bell are credited alongside Björk.
^"Holographic Entrypoint" includes traditional Noh chants by Shiro Nomura.
^"Human Behaviour" contains a sample from "Go Down Dying", a composition originally written by Antônio Carlos Jobim and later arranged by Quincy Jones, performed by the Ray Brown Orchestra and included in the album Harold Robbins Presents Music from The Adventurers (1970).
^"I Can't Help Loving That Man" is a cover of "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man", featured in the 1927 musical play Show Boat, adapted from Edna Ferber's novel.
^"Í Dansi Með þér" is an Icelandic cover version of "Sway", itself an English version of a 1953 mambo instrumental called "¿Quién será?". The English version was made famous by Dean Martin in 1954.
^"I Go Humble" interpolates "Shove Piggy Shove" a track by LFO later included in Advance (1996).
^Remix versions of "I Miss You" feature English MCRodney P.
^"I Remember You" is a cover of the 1941 song introduced in the film The Fleet's In (1942), where it was sung by Dorothy Lamour.
^The film version of "I've Seen It All", included in Dancer in the Dark (2000), replaces Thom Yorke with vocals from Peter Stormare.
^The album version was billed as "Mark Bell Version" and was produced only by Bell. Another version, titled "Björk's Version" was included in the "Jóga" single and was produced only by Björk.
^The film version of "In the Musicals", included in Dancer in the Dark (2000), is split into two parts, titled "In the Musicals Part 1" and "In the Musicals Part 2". One part includes additional vocals by Joel Grey.
^"It's Oh So Quiet" is a cover of the 1948 German song "Und jetzt ist es still", originally sung by Horst Winter and famously performed in English by Betty Hutton in 1951.
^"Jólakötturinn" is a musical version of a poem by Jóhannes úr Kötlum.
^"Jólasveinar" is a traditional Icelandic ditty. Björk's version was credited as "Icelandic Christmas Song".
^"Keep Your Mouth Shut" interpolates portions of "You've Been Flirting Again", included in Post (1995).
^"Komið" was only included in certain editions of Medúlla (2004).
^"Like Someone in Love" is a cover of the 1944 song introduced in the film Belle of the Yukon (1944), where it was sung by Dinah Shore.
^"Með mann á bakinu" is a flute instrumental recorded for the eponymous Icelandic short movie directed by Jón Gnarr (2004).
^"Mouth's Cradle" includes throat singing by Tagaq.
^"My Spine" was originally included as a b-side in the single release of "It's Oh So Quiet" in 1995. The song was later included in the remix compilation Telegram (1996).
^"Náttúra" features uncredited background vocals by Thom Yorke. Released as a standalone single in 2008, the song was later included in the deluxe edition of Biophilia (2011).
^"Nature Is Ancient" is also known as "My Snare". The former name was used in the initial japanese limited edition of Homogenic, in the tracklist for Greatest Hits – Volumen 1993–2003, Family Tree and Surrounded, and during the Greatest Hits tour. The latter titling was only used in the single release of "Bachelorette".
^ ab"North" and "Tetralogía" interpolate portions of a composition featured in the score for Drawing Restraint 9 (2005). The tracks were later used in the eponymous art installation by Gabríela Friðriksdóttir, and released in the accompanying soundtrack.
^A remix version of "Oceania" features American singer-songwriter Kelis.
^"Pabbi Minn" is an Icelandic reworded version of "O mein Papa", originally written for the 1939 musical Der schwarze Hecht.
^On the Vespertine liner notes, Björk is credited as the sole producer for the song. On its single release, de Vries is credited as an additional producer.
^"Play Dead" was firstly released as the lead single from the soundtrack for The Young Americans (1993). The song was later included in the reissued edition of Debut and released as the third single from the record.
^"Pleasure Is All Mine" includes throat singing by Tagaq and additional vocal performance by Mike Patton.
^In "Prayer of the Heart" Björk sings the traditional prayer in Coptic, Greek and English.
^"Quicksand" samples "Apologies", written and performed by John Flynn, a.k.a. Spaces.
^"Ruby Baby" is a cover version of the 1956 song by The Drifters, which later became famous in the version sung by Dion DiMucci. It was also considered a bonus track on Gling-Gló, as it did not appear on the release until 2008.
^The film version of "Scatterheart", included in Dancer in the Dark (2000), is titled "Smith & Wesson" and includes additional vocals by David Morse, Cara Seymour and Vladica Kostic.
^"Storm" was known as "Nameless" when it was performed during the Greatest Hits tour.
^"Submarine" includes additional vocal performance by Robert Wyatt.
^"Sweet Intuition" is a reworked version of a demo of "Bedtime Story".
^An alternative version of "Sweet Intuition" appears on "It's Oh So Quiet" single as "Sweet Sweet Intuition". This version credits Björk as the sole writer.
^"Synchronicity" was featured in the Spike Jonze documentary Hot Chocolate (2004).
^"Þad Sést Ekki Sætari Mey" is an Icelandic reworded version of "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun", originally performed by Ethel Merman in the musical Annie Get Your Gun (1946).
^"The Comet Song" was featured as the title track for the 2010 film Moomins and the Comet Chase and released as a standalone single in the same year. The song was later included in the Japanese deluxe edition of Biophilia (2011).
^"This Country Makes It Hard to Fuck" is a remix of "This Country", a track originally released by Fever Ray on her 2017 album Plunge. Björk's remix was subsequently included in the Country Creatures EP and the Plunge Remix compilation.
^"Trance" was recorded during the Volta sessions, but was only released as the soundtrack for To Lee, With Love, Nick, a tribute video to Alexander McQueen published by Nick Knight's website SHOWstudio in 2010.
^"Travessia" is a cover of the classic Milton Nascimento song. Björk recorded it for the compilation Red Hot + Rio but decided not to include it and the track later surfaced online.
^"Unison" samples "Aero Deck" by Oval, from the 1994 album Systemisch.
^"Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu" is a cover of a traditional Icelandic lullaby. Björk originally recorded the song for inclusion in the Hector Zazou compilation Chansons des mers froides (1994), and it was later included as a b-side in the single release of "Possibly Maybe" in 1996.
^"Vökuró" is a cover of a recording by Icelandic pianist and composer Jórunn Viðar.
^"Where Is the Line" includes additional vocal performances by Mike Patton and Gregory Purnhagen.
^"All Is Full of Love". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^"All Neon Like". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^ abcdefgMount Wittenberg Orca (CD liner notes). Björk & Dirty Projectors. Domino Records. 2010. RUG418CD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^"Nattura". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^ abBiophilia (Japanese deluxe edition) (CD liner notes). Björk. Polydor Records. 2011. UICP-9043.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^"My Snare". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^"Nature is Ancient". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^"New World". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^ abVersations / Tetralógia (CD liner notes). Gabríela Friðriksdóttir. Think Tank Media Ltd. 2005. GAB001.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^"Notget". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^Pytlik, Mark (2003). Björk: Wow and Flutter. ECW Press. pp. 188–9. ISBN1550225561.
^Anton (CD liner notes). Jutlandia Film. 1996. JFCD 1.
^"Oceania". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^"One Day". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^Pytlik, Mark (2003). Björk: Wow and Flutter. ECW Press. p. 54. ISBN1550225561.
^ abex:el (CD liner notes). 808 State. ZTT Records. 1991. 9031-73775-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^"Overture". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^"Ovule". Fossora. One Little Independent. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
^"Oxygen". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^"Pagan Poetry". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^"Pearl". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^"Petrolatum". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^"Play Dead". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^"Pleasure Is All Mine". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^"Pluto". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^"Pneumonia". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^"Possibly Maybe". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^A Portrait (CD liner notes). John Tavener. Naxos Records. 2004. 8.558152-53.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Lystisnekkjan Gloría (Cassette liner notes). Various Artists. Gramm. 1986. GRAMM27.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Loftmynd (CD liner notes). Megas. Gramm. 1987. GRAMM34.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Höfuðlausnir (CD liner notes). Megas. Gramm. 1988. GRAMM36.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Hættuleg Hljómsveit & Glæpakvendið Stella (CD liner notes). Megas. HMH. 1990. LP001.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Island (CD liner notes). Current 93 & Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson. Durtro. 1991. DURTRO 006.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^"Bedtime Story". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^Dauður Hestur (CD liner notes). Ham. Skifan. 1995. SCD 171.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Pytlik, Mark. Björk: Wow and Flutter. ECW Press. p. 193. ISBN1550225561.
^Stressed Out (maxi single) (CD liner notes). A Tribe Called Quest. Jive Records. 1996. 7243 8 93998 2 0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Rose Has Teeth In The Mouth Of A Beast (CD liner notes). Matmos. Matador Records. 2006. OLE 677-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Powers That B (CD liner notes). Death Grips. Harvest Records. 2015. 2547120083.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)