Oceania (song)
Encyclopedia
"Oceania" is a song by Icelandic singer Björk
. It was formerly planned to be the first single release from Björk
's Medúlla
album. Later it was just released as a promo. It was written for the 2004 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony
, where she performed immediately following the Parade of Nations. As with most of Medúlla, the track is composed purely of human vocals and features a London choir and Leeds-based beatboxer Shlomo
. The lyrics are written by her friend, Sjón
, who is an Icelandic poet and novelist. They are written in the point of view of the ocean who sings about the evolution of humans from her waters. This was the last song written and mixed for the album.
The video, directed by Lynn Fox, features a jewel-encrusted Björk in dark watery depths, with a colourful sunset and swirling floral creatures above her. Lynn Fox also made visuals for Björk's Greatest Hits Tour and the music video for "Nature Is Ancient" which is available on the greatest hits DVD Volumen as a bonus.
A re-recording of "Oceania" was featured as a B-side
to the "Who Is It" single. This version features vocals by Kelis
and additional lyrics she had written herself from the continent's point of view. A piano version also appeared on the DVD single, which was assisted in its creation by Nico Muhly
.
The song was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 2005 Grammy Awards but lost out to Norah Jones
.
The song was sampled by e-40
in the track "Spend the Night" on his 2010 Revenue Retrievin': Night Shift
album.
, where Björk performed the song for the first time, she wore a very large dress which unfolded during her performance to eventually occupy the entire stadium and showed a map of the world in sign of union.
Being a fan favorite, "Oceania", along with several other tracks from Medúlla, surfaced on the 2007-2008 Volta
tour. It was first introduced on April 4 at the Laugardalshöll in Reykjavik, Iceland, where sweeping brass arrangements replaced the choral voices from the album version.
A different version of this video was shot especially for the Olympic Ceremony since the version used there differs from the album version.
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
. It was formerly planned to be the first single release from Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
's Medúlla
Medúlla
Medúlla is the sixth studio album by Icelandic singer, songwriter, and musician Björk, released on August 30, 2004 by Warner Bros. Records and One Little Indian. The title derives from the Latin word for "marrow". The album is almost entirely a cappella and constructed with human vocals...
album. Later it was just released as a promo. It was written for the 2004 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony
2004 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games was held on August 13, 2004 at the Olympic Stadium in Maroussi, Greece, a suburb of Athens. 72,000 spectators attended the event, with approximately 15,000 athletes from 202 countries participating in the ceremony as well...
, where she performed immediately following the Parade of Nations. As with most of Medúlla, the track is composed purely of human vocals and features a London choir and Leeds-based beatboxer Shlomo
Shlomo (human beatbox)
Simon Shlomo Kahn is a British beatboxing artist.-Background and career:Shlomo is of Israeli, Iraqi and German descent and grew up in the village of Bourne End, Buckinghamshire. He can speak Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic; he is a classically trained percussionist and a jazz drummer.His original...
. The lyrics are written by her friend, Sjón
Sjón
Sigurjón Birgir Sigurðsson , known as Sjón , is an internationally known Icelandic author and poet. His pen name is formed from his given name , and means 'Sight'....
, who is an Icelandic poet and novelist. They are written in the point of view of the ocean who sings about the evolution of humans from her waters. This was the last song written and mixed for the album.
The video, directed by Lynn Fox, features a jewel-encrusted Björk in dark watery depths, with a colourful sunset and swirling floral creatures above her. Lynn Fox also made visuals for Björk's Greatest Hits Tour and the music video for "Nature Is Ancient" which is available on the greatest hits DVD Volumen as a bonus.
A re-recording of "Oceania" was featured as a B-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
to the "Who Is It" single. This version features vocals by Kelis
Kelis
Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
and additional lyrics she had written herself from the continent's point of view. A piano version also appeared on the DVD single, which was assisted in its creation by Nico Muhly
Nico Muhly
Nico Muhly is a contemporary classical music composer, who has worked and recorded with classical and pop/rock musicians. He currently lives in the Lower East Side section of Manhattan in New York City.-Early years:...
.
The song was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 2005 Grammy Awards but lost out to Norah Jones
Norah Jones
Norah Jones is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actress.In 2002, she launched her solo music career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album Come Away With Me, which was certified a diamond album in 2002, selling over 20 million copies...
.
The song was sampled by e-40
E-40
Earl Stevens , better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and investor from Vallejo, California. He is also part of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. His solo debut album, Federal, was released in November 1992, after The Click's debut...
in the track "Spend the Night" on his 2010 Revenue Retrievin': Night Shift
Revenue Retrievin': Night Shift
- Commercial Performance :In its first two weeks Revenue Retrievin': Night Shift sold 17,000 copies. It has sold 26,000 copies as of May 3. To date, the album has sold over 52,000 copies in the US.- Chart positions :...
album.
Live
At the 2004 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony2004 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games was held on August 13, 2004 at the Olympic Stadium in Maroussi, Greece, a suburb of Athens. 72,000 spectators attended the event, with approximately 15,000 athletes from 202 countries participating in the ceremony as well...
, where Björk performed the song for the first time, she wore a very large dress which unfolded during her performance to eventually occupy the entire stadium and showed a map of the world in sign of union.
Being a fan favorite, "Oceania", along with several other tracks from Medúlla, surfaced on the 2007-2008 Volta
Volta (album)
Volta is the seventh studio album by Icelandic musician Björk, released in May 2007. It was produced by Björk, Mark Bell, Timbaland and Danja. The music of Volta was a new style for Björk, focusing on similar sounding music combining African beats and other instruments with songs in tribute to Africa...
tour. It was first introduced on April 4 at the Laugardalshöll in Reykjavik, Iceland, where sweeping brass arrangements replaced the choral voices from the album version.
Music video
The music video directed by LynnFox, premiered on August 23. It's a sort of tour visual showing Björk with crystals encrusted on her face, standing in an underwater scene, amidst floral forms and jellyfish with liquids flowing around her while singing the song.A different version of this video was shot especially for the Olympic Ceremony since the version used there differs from the album version.
Versions
- Album version
- Piano and vocal mix – 3:04
- Radio mix featuring Kelis – 2:55
- Olympic studio version – 3:14